Golf Australia spotlights significant contribution of volunteers

Golf Australia has advised that with close to six million Australians volunteering their time within local communities across the country, National Volunteer Week provides an opportunity to show appreciation for these people in the golfing community.

Volunteers are the lifeblood of Australian Golf, with around 30,000 donating their time and skills to ensure that the sport can be enjoyed by the 3.8 million Australians who played golf in the past year.

This year’s theme is Connecting Communities, which is extremely pertinent to golf. The local golf club is often the heart of Australian communities, and without volunteers, those clubs would simply not exist.

From National Program Deliverers who ensure juniors and those new to the game can learn in a nurturing environment, to Board Members who work tirelessly behind the scenes and are the driving force for the success and management of the venue, to those who organise working bees or put in a shift behind the bar, volunteers make it all possible.

There are more than 1,700 registered National Program Deliverers who are Golf Australia’s touchpoint for participation programs MyGolf and Get Into Golf, and facilitate more Australians playing more golf.

Outside of clubs and facilities, in excess of 1,600 volunteers helped deliver successful Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia and WPGA Tour of Australasia seasons this summer.

Golf Australia Chief Executive, James Sutherland notes “National Volunteer Week provides all of us in golf the opportunity to show our appreciation for these people in the golfing community, without whom the sport simply couldn’t operate the way it does and support the 3.8 million Australian golfers.

“However, all other 51 weeks of the year should be time for us to celebrate volunteers in our sport, and all the, more often than not, thankless work they undertake.

“Those who undertake jobs at professional and elite amateur events – ranging from scoring, to crowd management and players services – are of course highly valued and appreciated.

“For many in clubland, and across the industry, the variety and importance of volunteers will, however, extend far beyond elite tournaments.

“The total number of volunteers in Australian Golf extends even further, to an estimated 30,000 nationally, when taking into account those at clubs and facilities undertaking roles to help their club such as greenkeeping, bartending, clubhouse administration, course care groups and more.

“To all volunteers across Australian Golf, thank you.”

Golf Australia, the PGA of Australia and the WPGA Tour of Australasia would like to say, “Three Cheers For Volunteers!”

If you are interested in volunteering, contact your local club or facility, or visit the Golf Australia website.

Image. Over 1600 volunteers helped to deliver a successful Summer of Golf. Credit: Golf Australia