THE Wee Waa Golf Club was the place to be on 27 June, as golfers and community members gathered to support the local club.
The fantastic fundraiser was organised by Kurt and Jess Maxwell along with Thomas and Beth Schwager, with the support of the local golf club committee.
Beth Schwager, Peta Miguel and Matt Gardiner.
Like many brilliant ideas, the plan for the club fundraiser was concocted over a few drinks after a round of golf.
“Thomas and I started playing golf, we were having a beer afterwards and were just talking about how we wanted to help the club,” said Kurt.
Robert Berger, Connor Browne and John Greathead. BELOW: Les Ross, Lenard Carvell and Ashley Humphries.
“It’s a good social hub, great green and, to be honest, I didn’t want to see another venue in Wee Waa close.
“We wanted to help keep the doors open and that’s really where the idea started.”
Les Ross, Lenard Carvell and Ashley Humphries.
Their casual conversation soon turned into a major community event, with 24 teams teeing off and an impressive $34,000 raised for the Wee Waa Golf Club.
“The general auction raised just under $20,000 and about $18,900 for tee-box sponsorship, which is total of about $34,00 raised for the club.
Ben Palmer, Lance Brennan, Jason Day, Rhys Mortimer, Mike Oxsmal and Ian Brooks.
“I think some of the golf club members said they’d never had such a big day to raise that much money.
“Other sporting commitments and the weather probably meant our numbers were down a bit, but not on the fundraising support.”
Aiden Hill, David Allen and Brock Radburn.
Kurt said it was great to see people from across the region roll up to back the fundraiser.
“Six of those holes were bought by people from out of town,” he said.
Sue Stove, Robyn Allen and Kerry Crutcher.
A tee box auction is when each tee box, the starting area of a golf hole, is auctioned off to sponsors, businesses, or individuals.
The winning bidder gets their name, signage, or branding displayed on that tee.
James Kahl, Kevin Schwager and Paul Thomas.
Kurt explained it’s a good way for clubs to raise money by letting people sponsor a hole and it also helps the clubs with a fixed income flow.
The organisers thanked the local businesses, companies and individuals who generously donated their time, tee sponsorships and auction products, making it a successful and memorable community event.
Zack Doring, Angus Galagher and Tommy Russell.
“Paul and James from Nutrien ran the auction with Sandy Bailey, Sandy Cosh and Terry Adams from Moree Real Estate spotting and they all did a great job.
“If it wasn’t for them…I don’t think the auction would have been as successful,” added Kurt.
Jackson Humphries, Brandon Worrel and Brady Hillock.
“A draw card was Boland Petroleum and Howden Insurance sponsored a hole-in-one for a $25,000 cash prize, but unfortunately, no one got it.”
Kurt said having products as the auction items that farmers in the community buy anyway helped people get behind the bidding.
Thomas Schwager, Robert Downey and Lucy Maxwell.
“Inland Petroleum came on board with 1000 litres of oil, Boland with 3000 litres of fuel – I just want to say a big thank you to all our generous sponsors.”
As reported by the Wee Waa News and The Courier in January, the Wee Waa Golf Club has been facing an uncertain future.
Phoebe Paulston, Jess Maxwell and Delfi Leguizamon and Jens Nor.
Both the board and club members have been rallying to ensure that the important community asset can both survive in the short term and thrive in the long term.
In the January report, club president David Russell said rising costs, the declining number of golfers playing each week, and local organisations looking elsewhere to host their events have left the club struggling financially, which he believes can be addressed with renewed local engagement and support.
Jacob Haynes, Les Davis, Josh Kerr and Will Kerr.
Since then, the club has called on more of its members and anyone keen to give golf a go to come along to Thursday evening social golf, Saturday ladies’ golf and Sunday men’s golf.
There has also been Saturday evening dinners and other events held at the club such as the Westpac Rescue Helicopter high tea fundraiser.
Kurt Crutcher, Adam Hatton and Luke Humphries.
The recent golf day was another event, focused on gathering the community, and it didn’t disappoint.
“The day hopefully inspired more people to help and get involved in the golf club, whether it’s on a social level or playing.
“We hope it becomes an annual event.”
Torin Maxwell, Luke Devney and Cohen Maxwell.
Wee Waa golf results from Saturday, 27 June
Three-Person Ambrose
Winners: R. Allen, G. Allen and G. Avery.
Runners-up: L. Humphries, K. Crutcher and A. Hatton.
Third: B. Taylor, M. Taylor and G. Trew.
Nearest the pin – 5th Hole: ladies, Lucy Maxwell; men, Greg Avery; seniors, Rob Downey.
Nearest the pin – 9th Hole: ladies, Kerry Crutcher; men, Sandy Cosh; seniors, Bob Taylor.
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