By Graeme L. Woolacott, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary of the Australian Golfing Fellowship of Rotarians
The Australian Golfing Fellowship of Rotarians (AGFR) held our 40th Annual Tournament in the delightful rural city of Murray Bridge, situated along the Murray River, an hour drive from Adelaide, Australia.
The Australian chapter of the fellowship holds its annual tournamnet in a different part of the country every year. Last year, we were in Perth, located in the western part of Australia, and next year we will be in Alice Springs in the Northern Territory. Generally, the tournament is a 72 hole Stableford competition, played over four days with a day break in the middle. The tournament kicks off with a welcome dinner and presentations with opportunities to socialize and connect with fellow members throughout the event. The Golfing Fellowship also includes members who do not play golf. A series of tours and visits to places of interest are arranged for these members while others play in the tournament.
We partner with a local Rotary club to fundraise for their nominated project. We also raise funds for our John Hood AGFR Memorial Scholarship, which provides financial assistance to young people ages 20-29 years who have completed an apprenticeship in greenkeeping. Each year, an awardee is selected from one of the States or Territories of Australia.
With the assistance of The Ohio State University in the United States, the awardee is enrolled as an International Student in the Agricultural and the Horticultural Intern program. The program combines theoretical studies at the University with nine months of paid practical work at some of United States’ finest golf courses. The program offers interns experience in PGA events course preparation, construction, irrigation, chemical spraying, overseeding and all maintenance practices performed at a golf course.
For the first time this year, we played for the inaugural Ian Riseley Trophy [our fifth Australian Rotary International President], which was won by David Motteram from the Rotary Club of Adelaide. The two charities nominated by the Rotary Club of Murray Bridge will each receive contributions of AUD $10,000. This is most certainly a win-win situation with enormous benefits for the fellowship and the recipients.
Learn more about our fellowships and join us for our next tournament in May 2019 in Alice Springs!
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June is Rotary Fellowships Month! We’ll be celebrating by sharing inspirational services stories from various Rotary Fellowships. We hope these stories inspire you to join or start a Rotary Fellowship. View a complete list of all fellowships to find what interests you!
Service in Action 