Immense generosity.
That’s the overwhelming sentiment on so many levels after the Portarlington Golf Club was central to raising more than $21,000 for the Cancer Council in this week’s “Longest Day in Golf”.
With donations still rolling in to congratulate all the players who toiled their way through – in some cases – more than 12 hours of golf, the count at time of writing was $21,200.
“It’s an extraordinary response and that’s genuinely an amazing number,” chief executive Michael Phillips said.
“There was an amazing vibe around the course throughout the day – I know some loonies, just kidding, I mean players, were away at first light at 5.40am.
“And from that point on until after 7pm, there was just an immense spirit of commitment, teamwork and generosity which made that amazing donation possible.”
Leading the way for Port – as he has for four years now – was the indefatigable Trung Truong, who looked like the Pied Piper at times out on course.
Trung was joined by several of his great mates for the majority of his day - including Darren Hellmann, who played all 72 holes with the event’s spiritual leader. Gary Stafford also walked the whole 72, playing the majority of the way.
But Trung’s tribe was intermittently joined by dozens of spectators, caddies and a whole swag of players who chimed in for nine, 18 or some times many more holes to be part of the atmosphere.
Trung and Darren, accompanied home by the bagpipes of long-time member Bill Ogilvie, were responsible for raising $4245 of the overall total.
“It’s just great to have so many people supporting the cause – amazing to have so many people walking around with me as we go,” Trung said.
Members of “Trung’s Tribe” were epic in their support all day long.
But it was largely just members and their guests who were the backbone of the effort.
Mark Hayes invited some members of the sporting media to the course, with Front Bar host Andy Maher and former AFL stars David King and Daniel Harford among the groups, along with local identity and medico David Walder.
Mark added to the day’s party vibe with a rare hole-in-one on the 17th – the 71st hole of his group’s day – which sent a roar reverberating around the course.
Members Toby Prime and Ryan Reynolds invited former Age journalist Damien Ractliffe.
And past members Hugh Orton and Patrick Taylor returned to their old stomping ground.
But impressively, a few new faces also came along.
Nina Ibbotson and Christine Noble ploughed brilliantly through 36 holes in their first attempt at anything of this ilk, raising almost $1000 between them and engaging many fellow female members to join them on course.
Associate professional Max Edmanson was joined by Matt Whiting and even more impressively by rising junior star Jackson McGrath, who not only conquered the four rounds, but raised a staggering $723 off his own bat!
The day would not have happened, though, without some powerful “back-room” contributions.
Firstly the membership should be congratulated for not only offering their financial and moral support, but also for graciously giving up access to the course for the day.
Head pro Matt Milne forewent green fees for the day to make an enormous contribution in an unsung way, while the groundstaff and volunteers not only worked around the early starters, but were forced into heavy-duty work to get the old barbecue into position.
Which brings us to the absolute heroes of the day – the Edmanson family (with some great volunteer help from Sean Rodwell and others) who kept everyone fed, watered and entertained with the sausage sizzle and drinks at the first tee. Jen and Rick did a power of work in many ways – including the party hole music – for which all the players were extremely grateful.
That hospitality later extended into the clubhouse where several staff members gave up their Christmas party to keep things afloat, with Richard and Nic making pizzas for the players and Caz and her team serving them all with a smile.
A big shout also to Coca-Cola for their generous sponsorship of the drinks for the day, while there has rarely been more enjoyment of any sausage in history than those provided by Bellarine Country Butchers with Nicky Beeston even rolling in an emergency back-up supply as the tiring golfers grew hungry.
