North Midlands police charity golf day success for St John WA sub centre as 90 hit the green to tee off

The weekend’s annual North Midlands police charity golf day at Three Springs Golf Club was a raging success, with more than 90 players teeing off to raise money.

The initiative aims to raise funds for the North Midlands St John WA sub centre, with $226,000 being raised since the golf day first started in 1998.

On Saturday, July 11, 90 participants stepped onto the green for the golf day to raise money for the crucial community cause, with even more joining later in the day for dinner and an auction.

Three Springs Golf Club secretary Bailey Mutter said the aim of the day was to raise as much money as possible for the sub centre so they could continue to operate and provide a lifesaving service that was critical to living in the country.

“We start with 18 holes of golf starting at 10am, which is over by around 4-5pm. Then follows dinner and presentations before finishing with an auction,” he said.

“Businesses from all over generously donate items to be auctioned off with the money going straight to the North Midlands St John’s sub centre.”

The day involves a vast range of people getting in, having a go and putting in hours of preparation, including local police, St John’s sub centre volunteers and golf club members.

“Every minute that it took to run the event was provided by volunteers, and every year we have more people putting their hand up to lend a hand,” Mr Rutter said.

“The event has raised $226,00 since it started in 1998. This year’s figures haven’t been released yet but the North Midlands St John’s sub centre will release this once it has been finalised.”

The funds raised from the annual event have allowed for the delivery of 131 first aid classes and nearly 1300 people trained across Three Springs, Carnamah, Coroow, Eneabba, Morawa and Perenjori since 2017.

Mr Rutter said it was a “massive benefit” to the communities, making sure those first on the scene of an accident could provide quality care to anyone who needed it.

“The stand-out part of this year’s event was having a helicopter drop golf balls for the yearly ball drop raffle,” he said.

“People buy a numbered golf ball and the closest to the pin gets first prize, going down to third closest for third prize — and farthest away gets a prize as well.”

The day before the annual golf day, the club also hosted the 9-hole scroungers which attracted 18 people to warm up their swing before the big charity day.

“Some haven’t swung a club since the last North Midlands police charity golf day a year ago, so it gives them a chance to get the cobwebs out and get the feel for it again,” Mr Rutter said.

“This year was another successful year, the weather couldn’t be better, and spirits were high.

“It is amazing how the community shows up every year to support the event.”