Over the last two years the Bendigo Golf Club has developed several new initiatives to help provide opportunities for more people to play golf.
The Club has developed introductory clinics for females of all ages and created a suite of junior clinics over each of the school holidays.
The result was over 200 new people being introduced to the game of golf, all of which would not have been possible without the support and contribution of the McKern Foundation.
Of the those 200 participants, a number of them have become members of the club, helping to increase both female and junior membership numbers.
Thanks to the McKern Foundation, the Club was able to secure the services of PGA Professional coaches, Harley Williams and more recently Ben Patten, and allowed the Club to offer these amazing opportunities at little to no cost to the participants.
The Club was also recognised by Golf Australia for the increase in the number of junior female participants in club programs.
“The Club is particularly excited about the most recent female only 5-week introductory program that has seen 15 ladies pick up a stick for the first time, with the Club now working with female club members to help transition those program participants into the club environment and playing rounds of golf,” said Brock Rogers, GM from Bendigo Golf Club.
“This is all thanks to the support from the McKern Foundation, an ongoing partnership we are really appreciative of,” said Brock.
With the current development of the Club’s practice facilities, and the construction of a brand new 15-bay driving range, the Club is already planning more programs and initiatives to help diverse individuals and minority groups get involved in the sport of golf.
The Golf Club are also a recipient of the Fresh Fruit Program, receiving fresh fruit for their members each week to keep them fuelled by fresh healthy fruit when out on the green.
“We are proud to support the future of golf by sponsoring the Club. Our contribution helps cover expenses, providing equipment and opportunities for young and new golfers to discover and pursue their passion for the game,” Said Michael McKern.
“We thoroughly enjoy nurturing the next generation of golf stars and fostering a lifelong love for this incredible sport.”
Bendigo Golf Club and McKern Foundation look forward to working together to help bring more programs to life in 2024 and beyond.
