Billy Brownless puts himself in the firing line

FORMER Geelong Cats premiership player and AFL commentator Billy Brownless has teamed up with The Sands Torquay this summer for a fundraising initiative supporting local sporting clubs.

The #WhackBilly promotion invites golfers to take aim at a larger-than-life-sized Billy Brownless target installed on the club’s driving range. Participants are challenged to hit the target on the fly, film the attempt and upload the video to Instagram.

Those who manage to achieve the feat will have the chance to compete in a $100,000 hole-in-one event later in the year.

The Sands’s golf operations manager, Mat Mackay, said the club was proud to once again use golf as a platform to support the Surf Coast sporting community.

“Sporting clubs are the heartbeat of our region,” he said. “They rely heavily on volunteers, fundraising and community support, and this is our way of doing something fun that genuinely helps them.

“You don’t need to be a scratch golfer – you don’t even need to be playing a round. Anyone can jump on the range, have a laugh and be part of it – and every entry helps support local sport.”

Known as much for his humour as his AFL career, Brownless said he jumped at the chance to be involved, even if it meant becoming the target.

“I’ve copped plenty over the years, so standing there and letting people have a crack felt pretty natural,” Brownless laughed.

“If people can have a bit of fun, hit a few golf balls and help local clubs at the same time, then I’m all in.”

He said the community focus was what sold him on the idea.

“Local footy, netball, cricket, surf clubs … that’s where it all starts,” he said. “If this helps keep the lights on or the jumpers washed, then it’s worth a few golf balls coming my way.”

The promotion will run throughout summer, with unlimited attempts allowed. From the pool of successful entrants, 100 golfers will be selected to compete in the hole-in-one event, with the final to be held on April 19.