Family golf day shapes as major fundraiser

A GOLF day in memory of beloved Drysdale man Ryan Gatgens is set to be bigger and better this year as organisers apply the finishing touches for Sunday’s event.

A field of 400 golfers and hundreds more spectators, friends and family are expected at Clifton Springs Golf Club for the memorial golf day, which will raise money for Geelong charity Hope Bereavement Care.

Ryan’s family selected the charity as the beneficiary of the now-annual day’s inaugural event last year, after it had provided invaluable support following his death in 2019, aged 32.

Last year’s fundraiser almost tripled expectations with a $55,000 donation to Hope, enough for the service to employ a full-time employment counsellor for the local service.

Organiser Daniel Driscoll said the wave of support for the second edition promised an even more generous contribution.

“Through all the advertising and social media we’ve had great support, and even in the last few days we’ve had more sponsors come on board,” he said.

“We’re getting lots of random people just donating items and prizes for the auctions, businesses donating vouchers.

“It’s hard to get around to everyone, we’ve had a lot of people approach us wanting to donate stuff as they hear about it.”

Major raffle prizes include a split-system air conditioner and installation worth $2700, a cordless Stihl kit worth $2500 and a 75-inch Samsung TV, with more than 30 smaller prizes also in the kitty for the fundraiser.

There will also be an auction for donated items including sports memorabilia.

Alongside the golf rounds, there’ll be an action-packed activity schedule for adults and kids, with a petting zoo, jumping castles, face painting, food trucks, live music, bar services and barbecues.

“We want heaps of families and kids and anyone to come down,” Mr Driscoll said.

“When we had it last year we were still in COVID and lockdowns and were restricted with how many we had down there, and ended up with about 800.

“This year we’re looking at over 1000, up to 1500 people on the day.”

First golf rounds tee off from 7.30am, and family activities start at 10am on Sunday.