ROBINVALE Golf Club has withstood the challenges of two COVID-19 lockdowns to emerge in a “pretty good” state, thanks to the local community’s support.
Club captain Michael Smith said the club had enjoyed a boost in membership this year after the footy season was called off.
“We’ve had an extra $10,000 in membership fees this year, as it was the only sport you could play during the lockdowns,” he said.
“A few years ago, our Saturday fields would have had 18-25 golfers. But for the first round of the club championships (on November 7) we had 54 in the field, and this was with a few blokes out because they were harvesting wheat and barley.
“If we had all the local regulars here on a day, we’d nudge 70 in a field.
“But you’ll never get everyone here on a given day. There’s always a family function, harvesting or other things on.”
Smith said the licensed club had traded through the COVID crunch since March, with a takeaway food service proving popular among locals.
“The community has got behind us unbelievably well during the lockdowns, even if it was just buying takeaways every week or so,” he said.
“Our figures at the club have been pretty good during this period, considering all the challenges we’ve faced.
“The bistro is open to dine at again, but we’ll continue with the takeaways. We’ve bought ourselves a little buzzbox car for deliveries around Robinvale.”
He said that with gaming inside the club re-opening, “we’re clawing our way back to where we were before COVID”.
“Without gaming, we wouldn’t have a club or course. It just wouldn’t exist. That’s how important gaming is to many clubs,” he said.
Following the good recent rainfall, Robinvale’s 18-hole layout – which is about 3km from the town centre – is in good nick.
While the greenkeeping team of three has done a superb job in maintaining the course, it has also benefited from a flood of recent community donations to help keep it in good order.
“We had a massive fundraising drive out on the course so we didn’t have to pour money into it,” said Smith, who plays off a handicap of seven.
“A lot of local farmers got behind us, either donating money to buy water or, if they had spare water, donated it to the club, as well as fertiliser.
“The course is such an expensive asset to run week-in, week-out, with water, fertiliser and general maintenance.
“We have renovated greens, and the extra rainfall we’ve had this year has made a big difference. Last year we were buying water on a very skinny budget.
“Rain is better than irrigation by 10-fold.”
Smith said the club was also hoping its new motel would be open “sooner rather than later to pick up the extra domestic tourists coming to Robinvale”.
