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 Country Program History 

 

 

In the midst of a 10 year drought local farming communities were experiencing hardships that meant the luxuries of life, in particular the purchase of golf equipment did not fit into the family budget.

An idea was sown and grown whilst on a return trip from Narrandera to Sydney that emanated from the vision of four guys playing golf on the grassless, dustbowl of a course at Grong Grong.

By the time Sydney was reached the plan to take golf to the kids in the bush was conceptualised. 

A meeting was organised with ex-country boy and past President of Concord Golf Club Norm Buckley, and Sue New from the Jack Newton Junior Golf Foundation to establish a program that facilitated the introduction of the game of golf to kids in the bush. Particular focus was placed on children whom did not have regular contact with a PGA Golf Professional.

Plans were set in motion to persuade members of Concord Golf Club to donate pre-loved equipment that was sitting in their garage not being utilised.

Members of Georges River Golf Club and many of Ken Trimble's pupils have also generously donated to the program. 

Concord Golf Club member Peter Lancken offered the use of a Kennard’s Hire vehicle to transport the donated equipment to country regions. Approximately 18,000 kilometres were wound on the odometer.

Each set of donated golf clubs was cut down to junior size and re-gripped with Golf Pride product supplied by Jarod Toyne from Golf Imports.  

In the 18 years since the inception of the program the country program team have visited seven golf clubs, including five golf clubs on more than one occasion.

  • Grong Grong (2)

  • Denman (4)

  • Port Augusta

  • Batlow (2)

  • Narrandera (2)

  • Tumut (2)

  • Parkes

Golf clubs and balls have also been supplied to 

  • Kalbarri WA

  • Alice Springs

  • Junee

The objective of the program is to present children in country regions with an opportunity to learn a game that has a long tradition of great values but most importantly be provided with the tools to continue developing their golf if the desire and follow up support is there.

Our program reached out to approximately 880 potential junior golfers over an 18 year period.  

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