Raining golf balls

THE Ocean Grove Football Netball Club has teed up a great result with their golf ball drop fundraiser, with thousands of people turning out to contribute towards the club’s future fotball and netball development programs.

Held last Saturday, the event saw spectators cast their eyes to a helicopter in the sky, hoping their ball would drop closest to the pin at centre half forward and score them a prize.

As the 1,103 golf balls fell, the winners were announced, with Stu Higgins walking away with the first prize of $15,000.

Second prize winner Kerrie Moroney won a $1,500 Hello World Travel Voucher, Sue Moroney was awarded a Geelong Helicopters joy flight for being third closest to pin, while Dean Johnston received a Driftwood Café voucher for fourth place.

As well as the golf ball drop, the club also held their 20-year anniversary celebration of the Grubbers’ 2003 premiership sides and a special sponsors and past players event.

Ocean Grove FNC secretary Simon Jarvis said the club were absolutely thrilled with the level of support the golf ball drop had attracted.

“It was easily the biggest crowd we’d had at the club all year and the buzz around it all was terrific.

“Ticket sales ended up being pretty awesome in the end… it was hoped we’d get to 1,000 balls and we got over a hundred more than that.

“The spectacle was exciting and the nearest ball to the pin was only about 10cm away, so the guys in the helicopter did a terrific job.”

Mr Jarvis said the club would aim to address a series of key focus areas with the funds raised from the event.

“The $10,000 or so that we will invest back into the club will help with our junior development and provide further investment into our off-field football and netball programs.

“This will involve specialised coaching and health and wellbeing programs to further accelebrate our pathways.

“We also hope to work with the City of Greater Geelong and local governments to improve Memorial Drive facilities to support our increasing Girls Junior Football participation.”