Ryan’s day a big hit

PERFECT weather and a strong crowd of generous donors have helped raise close to $80,000 for a Geelong bereavement service in honour of much-loved Drysdale man Ryan Gatgens.

A field of 400 players and hundreds more spectators, family and friends visited Clifton Springs Golf Club for the annual Ryan Gatgens Memorial Golf Day, which has quickly become a favourite on the Bellarine golfing and social calendar in just its second year.

Head organiser Daniel Driscoll said the fundraiser, including the golf rounds, auctions, raffles and food and bar sales, had far surpassed last year’s monster contribution as the committee tallies final amounts.

“We’re pretty sure we’ll get to $80,000,” he said.

“There’s still a fair bit to come in.

“We’ll get to at least 75, but we’re pretty sure we’ll get to 80, there’s still a few things to tidy up but it’s spot on with what we were hoping to get.

“It was perfect. Because it was the second year, we were a bit better prepared with what to expect with numbers.

“The weather was the main thing that could change it, but that was spot on as well.”

The day is in honour of Drysdale footballer and community man Ryan Gatgens, who died following a mental health battle in 2019, aged 32.

His family selected Hope Bereavement Care as the beneficiary of the fundraiser, after their gratitude to the non-profit service for the vital support it provided following the shock loss of their son and brother.

Last year’s $55,000 donation to Hope from the golf day allowed the organisation to employ another full-time counsellor to help grieving Geelong families.

Mr Driscoll said that the golf day, which started as an idea formed over a few beers between a group of mates to honour their friend, had grown into a lasting legacy for Ryan with far-reaching impacts.

“Even people that don’t know Ryan but have been or know someone that’s been affected by mental health have wanted to donate or buy tickets just to be part of the day,” he said in the lead-up to Sunday’s event.

“They didn’t know Ryan or us, but they’ve been affected by it in different areas so were all keen to get on board because it is such a big issue and everyone’s been affected by it.

“If we can make a difference to someone else, then it means a lot.”

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