Memorial golf day an $80,000 success

A HUGE community effort has helped to raise more than $80,000 for Geelong’s Hope Bereavement Care at the third annual Ryan Gatgens Annual Memorial Golf Day.

Held on Sunday, March 12 at the Clifton Springs Golf Club, the event saw more than 1,500 connected locals come together to remember their friend Ryan Gatgens, a Drysdale local who tragically died in 2019 after a battle with mental health.

With favourable weather conditions, attendees enjoyed playing a 9-hole golf tournament, dancing to live music and explored new event additions like the twilight market and the extravagant lineup of food and beverage options.

As shooting fireworks illuminated the sky to round off the night, event organiser Daniel Driscoll said the event would certainly go down as the most successful yet.

“It all went really well… the 380 golfers turned up and there was plenty of kids, partners and others enjoying all aspects of the event,” Driscoll said.

“To raise $80,000 is fantastic… the team from Hope got up at the event to tell us about how much it helps them and where the funds go… it meant a lot when you hear all of that.

“The fireworks were a massive success and they had Ryan lit up in lights as part of the display which was pretty touching for his friends and family.

“The market was also very good and the food trucks and raffles sold really well… it was a great success.”

Driscoll said that the team were thrilled to work closely with the Clifton Springs Golf Club on the event, who supplied a group of humble volunteers to help facilitate the delivery of the event.

All funds raised for Hope Bereavement Care (the choice of Ryan’s family) will go towards assisting locals in accessing counselling and free information and support when grieving loss.

For more information, head to www.facebook.com/Ryan-Gatgens-annual-memorial-Golf-Day