Date: March 26, 2015
Author: Mark Hayes

Buckle up for charity

No, it’s not Batman’s utility belt.

But Jarrod Lyle has added a few tricks of his own on a new fashion enterprise.

Jarrod and wife Briony opened “Lyle Apparel” for business today, aligning with Nexbelt to  provide a range of belts with a special golfing twist.

Jarrod, along with fellow Victorian Marc Leishman, have taken to wearing the hole-less belts with a hidden ball marker on the course.

And so impressed was he that when the company approached Jarrod and Briony about searching for an Australian distributor, they jumped at the chance themselves.

Jarrod’s bright yellow colour stems from his history with Challenge, a not-for-profit organisation that delivers daily support to children and families living with cancer – an opponent he’s twice faced and beaten in life-threatening battle.

Jarrod became part of the Challenge family when he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia aged 17.

Challenge also played an important role in Jarrod’s most recent cancer journey, which included chemotherapy and a double umbilical cord transplant.

“Challenge has supported me both on and off the course, so a really important part of our new company is to give back to Challenge,” Lyle said.

“Briony and I are excited about our exclusive Leuk the Duck buckle, which we hope will become a very popular product in the Australian golfing community.”

Leuk the Duck is the Challenge mascot, famously worn by PGA Tour players to show their unity with Jarrod during his recovery.

“The support Jarrod gives the Challenge organisation is amazing and this is just one other way he feels he can give back and help others,” Challenge CEO David Rogers said.

Other players on the PGA and LPGA Tours wearing Nexbelt products include Jim Furyk, Kevin Na, Jason Bohn and Katy Harris.

Lyle Apparel officially opened its online doors today at www.lyleapparel.com.au with $20 for each Leuk the Duck belt — and $1 from every other belt — sold going to Challenge.