Caddies’ lockdown hit keeps on rolling
Pals flog more than 75,000 recycled golf balls
Two caddies who have sold more than 75,000 golf balls raising thousands for charity in the process have celebrated a successful first year.
The idea to take used balls direct from Ayrshire courses and sell them on started as a lockdown venture but has seen them build their own business.
Two golf-daft friends Campbell Mathieson and Andrew Bogle, both 23, could never have dreamed how their enterprise run from Andrew’s family shed would turn out.
From the outset the idea to never let lost golf balls go to waste focused on giving something back.
The former Marr College pupils launched a plan to take a slice of their profits to boost Whiteleys Retreat.
Their vision has now seen more than £2,000 raised for the charity with the children’s respite centre reaping rewards for every ball sold.
Not only that, but the school pals from Troon have also recruited their own staff direct from their old school.
As lockdown restrictions eased last summer, the pair teed off Ayrshire Discount Golf Balls, and despite a
harsh winter of further Covid restrictions they stayed out of the rough.
Now they’ve taken delivery of another major order with 5,000 pro balls added to the collection.
A website has also been set up which has also seen a boost in sales.
Campbell told the Post: “It’s about a year on from when we first started this, so we thought we would launch a
big campaign with a delivery of balls coming in and we’ll run an exclusive offer.
“It has been quite a year for us. To think we just came up with this idea during lockdown to where we are now is just fantastic.
“We’ve had two final year Marr College boys work for us as ball processors (washing, sorting, grading) since October, with a third lad joining the team a few weeks ago.
“They are a vital part of our team and we make sure they are motivated to work efficiently on a consistent basis.
“They have really enjoyed their work as it provides them with some income before they head off to university.
“We pay them each £8 an hour and have paid them over £2,500 in total since starting.”
Whiteleys have benefitted from the sale of the balls and look forward to more donations
coming in.
The charity’s CEO, Maxine Allan, heaped praise on the boys for their start up venture proving a big hit.
She said: “The guys have been great. To raise what they have is incredible. They are so energetic and have been wonderful to work with.
“Their idea to recycle golf balls fits into the Whiteleys ethos of sustainability. Well done to them.”