Golf club finishes 11th in Cancer Council fundraiser

THE community spirit of the Winchelsea Golf Club was on full display as the club finished 11th in Australia for the Cancer Council’s Longest Day challenge.

The small club raised more than $31,000 for cancer research, with 25 players braving rainy conditions to play 72 holes in one day.

“We played a shotgun start, all teeing off about 5:50am as the sun was rising,” organiser Rachel Boddington said.

“Even through the rain, our spirits all stayed high as we knew we were doing this for such a great cause.”

 

“Our first team to finish their day rolled in around 5.30pm, taking just under 12 hours to complete the challenge. All teams finished up by 7pm, coming into our support network of family, friends and club members.”

Boddington said the club was blown away with this year’s result, which put it on the leaderboard with larger clubs such as Sorrento and Healesville.

“I could not be prouder of our club and all the players that took part in the challenge this year,” she said.

“We are a small and completely volunteer run club, so to be sitting among some of the best and biggest clubs in Australia was never something I expected we would achieve.”

Many teams have already locked themselves in for next year’s event, and Boddington hoped it would only grow from here.

“I hope next year we will have more players, capping the day at 36 players so that we guarantee everyone can get around before dark,” she said.

“We do hope to have more people come and celebrate the players at the end, and focus on building those celebrations as a community event to bring in more funds to add to our total.

“I don’t know how we would match or exceed the incredible amount we raised this year, but we will certainly do our best.”

Boddington thanked the local community for their help throughout the day.

She said the event would not have run so smoothly without them.

The Winchelsea Golf Club is welcoming new members and green fee players of all abilities.

For more information, head to their website or email [email protected]