MC Cameron Mudge (right) interviewing World Champion long driver Stephen Kennedy Playgolf WEEK was launched publicly on Mon 28 October at the Golf SA Headquarters at North Adelaide. Despite the inclement weather guests who included Club Committee personnel, staff and Club Managers, enjoyed a sausage sizzle and the Crown Lager Draught bar as the night started with SA State Players providing a long driving exhibition. With the PGA swing net in full operation managed by PGA Southern Division Executive Officer David Tapping and Royal Adelaide PGA Teaching Pro Daniel Blackwell, the public were enjoying the opportunity to garner some tips. Adding to the atmosphere was Kate Freebairn live on site presenting the nightly weather report from the first tee for Network Ten s Eyewitness News bulletin. Official proceedings began with MC Cameron Mudge from Network Ten welcoming guests and introducing the evening s proceedings. David Gallichio, Participation Manager, Golf Australia then introduced Playgolf WEEK and the array of activities occurring. David was followed by Chris Luz-Raymond, CEO, Golf SA who took the opportunity to thank the 40 golf clubs across the state that had invested much time into Playgolf WEEK and wished them all every success for the week. Official speeches were round off by Matthew Rechner, Program Manager, Active City, who highlighted the three city courses and the opportunities for the community to be active, maintain their health and participate in recreation and community sports programs. Highlight of the night was special guest Stephen Kennedy, the current Senior World Long Drive Champion who after providing the audience with insights into how to drive the ball prestigious distances, stepped up to the plate to smash the ball down the 1st fairway out of sight. Kennedy recorded distances on the launch monitor to the gasps of the crowd greater than his World Championship winning drive of 337meters, which netting him US$50,000 only a month earlier. Other guests on the night to take on Kennedy were South Australian Redback Cricketers, Daniel Worrall, Elliot Opie & Nick Winter. To conclude the night, two long drive competitions were conducted with David Toms winning the non-golf club member section and North Adelaide Member, Barry Phillips winning the Golf Club Members competition. Both took home stand bags courtesy of Golf SA Sponsor Srixon. To view all the photos from the night – Click here for Facebook Album
Author: Christian Puccini / Golf SA