Golfers raise funds for Youth Mental Health First Aid courses

More than 100 golfers including about 30 members from Gunnedah Motorcycle Club (MCC) flocked to the Gunnedah golf course on November 9 for the Gunnedah MCC’s annual charity golf day.

Gunnedah MCC raised $7,640 for Ripple Effect North West, which has committed to running two Youth Mental Health First Aid courses next year.

Ripple Effect North West president Jacinta Mannion said, “The generous funds received from the Gunnedah MCC’s golf day will go towards providing free high-quality training to members of our community in supporting our young people.

“By enhancing the knowledge and skills of our entire community to better support individuals facing mental health and wellbeing challenges, we can foster greater resilience and improve overall wellbeing for all.”

Ms Mannion said the Ripple Effect North West committee wholeheartedly thanked the Gunnedah MCC for its generous donation, and also thanked the committee and army of volunteers who worked tirelessly to make it all happen.

The winning team in the four-person Ambrose comprised Olivia and Leo Newton, Darren Mulherin and Neil Thomas.

Runners-up were Blake Small, Shannon Jeffrey, Daniel Head and Stan ‘Sooty’ Evans while the third placegetters were Hunter Richards, Kyle Newcombe, Mick McEvoy and Cameron Byrnes.

Nearest-the-pin winners were Blake Small (twice), Zoe Connelly (twice), Jacob Davis and Mick Ludlow, while Kyle Newcombe and Olivia Newton were the straight drive winners.

A chipping competition was something new this year, instead of longest drives.

As has often been the case at local charity golf events, steak sandwiches were a popular lunch.

The weather was sunny while the course was very green, although the surface was soft underfoot in places while there were also some small puddles following rain in the previous two days.

Gunnedah MCC spokesperson Dale Holmes said the course “held up really well” while the greens were “a bit more user friendly” following the wet weather.

“It’s very good to see so many local golfers supporting events like this,” he said.

“We try to keep it as social as we can.”