Every year Marangaroo Golf Course Manager and Head Professional Rob Farley heads out into the country for coaching clinics, bringing a knowledge of the game that he wants to spread around the state. Through the past two Covid-19 affected years, Rob has noticed significant excitement and growth in country golf that wasn’t previously present. This year, Rob enlisted the help of fellow Marangaroo professionals, Brayden McCubbing and Bronte Colbert.
The team visited towns that have seen both a steady growth at their club amongst women and juniors playing, along with clubs that have seen a huge growth in their enthusiasm for the game. Baker’s Hill, Cunderdin, Quairading, Nungarin, Pickering Brook, Kondinin, Northam, Corrigin and Beverley have enjoyed huge periods of growth over the past year with Rob noting the attitude towards coaching programs and getting new players into the game had shifted.
“All of the clubs held a great sense of enthusiasm, especially amongst volunteers, and were extremely grateful to us for coming out and providing some coaching”, Rob added.
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- Kondinin
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- Kondinin
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- Kondinin
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- Pickering Brook
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- Pickering Brook
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- Quairading
Rob highlighted two towns in particular for the amazing lengths that their volunteers went to, in order to support the team. Rosie Duncan in Quairading organised for both the school and junior golfers to have after school coaching, the most impressive part of this being that Rosie doesn’t even play golf herself, showcasing the enthusiasm for country sport. It was a terrible day for golf as the school oval almost flooded, however, it takes more than that to stop country kids. The growth in Quairading can be put down to the mountain of work done by their junior coordinator to ensure kids enjoy the golf in schools and follow that on into the club.
”It shows that if the junior coordinator at the club gets involved with the school the kids will come along to the juniors at the club.”
Lake Dumbleyung was a surprise this year for our team. Volunteer Margie organised for the coaching to occur on the town oval which had pristine grass, this brought along seven or eight new ladies as well as three men to the club. Whilst also enticing some of the regular players of the club to come down for some tips from the Marangaroo professionals.
The team also wanted to make a special mention of the Beverley Golf Club, who have run one of the best women’s programs in the state over the past few years. Four new ladies joined in the classes this time around, perhaps inspired by the ladies that have regularly played in Avon Valley events. This growth culminated in the club hosting the Avon Valley Ladies Championship this year, which is a great reward for their efforts.
Rob, his team and country clubs are hopeful of another boost in the coming year with farmers expecting a strong crop, which as always gives a boost to the town and it’s sporting clubs.
