Generations get in the swing

•  Mother and daughter Ambrose team Marianne Ebbelaar, Jo Freeland, Abbi and Sophie Dean of Bridport.

By Daisy Baker,
January 19, 2022

Players of all ages and skill levels enjoyed a day out in the sunshine at the Bridport Golf Club on Sunday, trying their hand at golf and croquet.

The Club hosts weekly Get in to Golf sessions for the community on a Sunday and this was the third day they’ve paired it with croquet to support the development of the local croquet group.

Bridport Golf Club secretary and treasurer Mandy Hall is one of four community golf instructors within the club, accredited by Golf Australia to coach and run introduction to golf sessions.

“We love golf and we want to share our wonderful space with everybody and that feeling with anybody else that’s interested,” she said.

“One of our main visions or drives is to make golf accessible to everyone so we can provide all the gear they need. All sessions are free and you don’t have to commit to coming every week. There’s always someone here that will take a group and depending on what you’d like to concentrate on we’ll do that and then go and play a few holes.

“These days are a great opportunity for families to come and do something together.”

Golfers played three to six holes at their own pace in the morning and then enjoyed a putting and chipping competition after lunch. 

Eight teams competed in the family Ambrose competition.

Meanwhile the croquet players practised their skills and played a game on the temporary lawn.

With growing interest in croquet, the Bridport Golf Club has applied for a Sports and Recreation Grant to build two full size croquet lawns.

The development is expected to cost around $150,000, including building up and levelling the surface, drainage and irrigation.

Keen croquet player Chris Russell is part of the committee getting croquet up and running at the Bridport Golf Club.

She has been playing in George Town for the past three years and also plays competitively in Launceston.

They hosted their first Get into Croquet day a year ago, and interest is on the rise.

Around 20 people have now become social croquet members of the Golf Club, coming along for the social games each Wednesday. 

Ms Hall said Golf Club membership is steadily growing, with the Get into Golf days and junior My Golf program bringing in new players from a wide age bracket. 

She said they’ve had several recent success stories of locals coming along to open days, becoming members and going on to play competition level.

More information about the Club’s offerings can be found on the Bridport Golf Club Facebook page.