Curlewis golfers go yellow for Jarrod Lyle

PLAYERS at Curlewis Golf Club brought a touch of yellow to the course on Saturday to honour the memory of local golfer Jarrod Lyle.

The #DoingItForJarrod competition at the club was part of Jarrod’s Gift, created by children’s cancer charity Challenge to continue the former PGA Tour golfer’s legacy.

Lyle, a long-time ambassador for Challenge, died in August, 2018, about a week after deciding to stop treatment for cancer (the third time he had battled the disease) and enter palliative care.
Challenge created Jarrod’s Gift following Lyle’s death, and the #DoingItForJarrod national campaign is its major fundraising event. All monies raised across Australia will help fund
specific projects and services to keep up Lyle’s mission to support children and families living with cancer.

Nearly 180 golfers took part in the members’ competition on Sunday – many of them wearing Challenge’s signature colour of yellow – and raised about $4,600, with a separate putting competition run by Golf Australia’s Mark Hayes adding another $800.

A large range of #DoingItforJarrod and “Leuk the Duck” golf gear (worn prominently by Lyle to support Challenge during his PGA Tour career) and merchandise was available for sale.

Curlewis general manager Jamie Brigden said Lyle – who was a member at The Sands in Torquay and well-known among local golfers – had left a strong legacy, as evidenced by the continued support for Jarrod’s Gift and Challenge.

“He was born in Shepparton originally but lived down in this neck of the woods, so a lot of our members said as soon as we announced were running this day that they would jump on board and support it, which was great to see.”

Competition golf has resumed in regional Victoria under relaxed coronavirus restrictions, and Mr Brigden said Curlewis was “rolling with the punches” much like other golf clubs.

“The good news story really is golf at the moment – memberships are up, courses are busy, so if there’s really anything positive to come out of COVID, it’s that.”

For more information about #DoingItForJarrod events, head to challenge.org.au/event/doingitforjarrod.