State representative Wendy Tuckerman may be a regular sight on course at Yass Golf Club, but her arrival on Thursday with NSW Premier Gladys Berejeklian to announce a successful grant was the cause of great excitement for players and management alike. (Photo above: Yass Golf Club President Judy Broers, Yass Valley Mayor Rowena Abbey, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Marion Darmody & Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman.)
Notable community members were present, including the winner of the grant and President of the Golf Club Judy Broers who thanked Mrs Tuckerman and the Premier for bringing about the grant.
Despite the warmer weather, the gathering had bustling energy, with cameras snapping and a generally positive social vibe present in the conversations between community members and officials. Speeches were given at the event, in particular from Wendy Tuckerman who thanked those involved with the grant, both the financiers and those who called for it;
“I want to thank the members of the golf course for getting behind the petition so I could take it to the premier and say we are in need of something pretty special here…especially during the year we had.”
Members requested the grant to finance an item of particular usefulness and value – a roller, a machine that would level the fields, creating an even, smooth field to make golfing easier to play and observe. The usefulness of this item was specific in its choice for the grant, as expressed by Manager Neville Matthews;
“We went for something we needed that we’ve never had before, so I think that made it more appealing.”
A petition was called, with 200 signatures provided by members and volunteers. The application was put together by John Heggart, the Treasure Secretary, before being forwarded to Mrs Tuckerman’s office, with the final approval granted by Mrs Berejiklian. The grant in question was a sum of $23,000, considered a budgeted price for machinery that, due to international shipping from the US and GST, can often run for $5000+ more. The equipment is yet to arrive due to the shipping as mentioned above; however, when it does arrive, it is expected to transform the club’s terrain. The application had been wanted and considered for some time, with Mr Matthews stating it had been “through the pipeline for six months”. The timing of the application was perfect, with the recent rain fixing the dustbowl of dead grass that had previously plagued the field, making the grass more attractive and easier to cut.
As for whether such an investment is worth it in a post covid business world, Judy and Neville are pleased to announce that the golf course is not only a successful survivor of the Covid shutdowns but is thriving;
“People had nothing else to do,” remarked Neville, with apparently a good eighty odd individuals visiting during their Saturdays, compared to the standard pre-covid sixty. The Yass Golf Course was already familiar with providing an enjoyable outdoor location to exercise with naturally socially distanced groups on course.
Judy also commented on their success; “We have survived probably better than most, although we try to be diligent…it’s better than I expected.”
However, there was some concern over budgeting for next year, an issue that will likely be further explored in time.
The Premier’s visit was extended after the celebration, with visits to the Yass Hospital and local businesses along with Wendy Tuckerman, as well as visits to land sites for further community constructions in the Yass Valley region.
The Yass Golf Club is situated on Worth St, Yass NSW 2582, and is open for business and golfing during 11-10 on Wednesday and Thursday, with extended hours on Friday and Saturday until midnight. Sunday, Monday and Tuesday have shorter hours, eventual viewing of the cropped green is best suited to the latter days in the week.
Griffin Palen
