Herbert builds link with golfing foursome

ONE of Australia’s best golfers, Lucas Herbert has again chipped in to assist the Bendigo region’s budding champions of the game.

Intake three of the Lucas Herbert Golf Scholarship was unveiled last Thursday night at Red Energy Arena in West Bendigo.

Among the many accolades the Bendigo-raised Herbert has achieved is being Bendigo’s Sports Star of the Year across 2020 and ’21.

The golf scholarship recipients in the 60th year of Bendigo’s Sports Star of the Year are Archie Alston, Belvoir Park and Bendigo; Jack Harvey, Bendigo and Neangar Park; Jazy Roberts, Belvoir Park; and Jesper Wallace, Heathcote.

Herbert put his Sports Star winnings toward launching the scholarship and since then a percentage of his LIV Golf earnings are injected to help the region’s up-and-coming golfers.

The scholarship recipients also receive 12-months membership at D-Club 24/7 and some other perks through D-Club and Healthy Mates.

After criss-crossing the globe for many months of the year, Herbert and wife Erika have spent time back home in Bendigo.

They were on the road again earlier in the week as the reigning New South Wales Open champion teed off in yesterday’s opening round at Vintage Golf Club in the Hunter Valley.

A big summer “Down Under” for Herbert includes the Australian PGA at Royal Queensland on November 27-30, and the Australian Open on December 4-7 at Royal Melbourne.

At the scholarship night, Herbert reflected on the ’25 LIV season with Team Ripper.

An individual high was second place in Mexico. “Across the first seven tournaments I was playing some of the best golf of my career,” Herbert said.

“The challenge is to upgrade my skill-set to compete at a higher level and more consistently.”

LIV steps up to a 72-hole format next season.

All four scholarship recipients spoke about being inspired by Herbert’s golfing journey and his on-going drive to help younger golfers.

The launch of the 60th Bendigo Sports Star of the Year included the naming of footy legend Graham Arthur as the 50th inductee to the Basil Ashman Hall of Fame.

Recruited from Sandhurst, Arthur was captain of Hawthorn’s first premiership team in 1961.

On a video message played at Thursday’s function, Graham’s daughter Caz Lorenz said the family was thrilled to be part of the Hall of Fame.

Graham’s long-time wife, Mary who is in her 90s will be bound for Bendigo next February for the 60th gala presentation.