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Oatlands Golf Club has been selected as a finalist in ‘Clubs in Collaboration’ category of the Clubs NSW 2016 Clubs and Community Awards.
The selection recognises the work that the metropolitan Sydney club has undertaken with their country ‘Buddy Club’ partner, Oberon Golf Club.
“We are thrilled with this recognition as a club,” says Oatlands General Manger Barnaby Sumner. “It shows what can be achieved by a couple of clubs when they work together.”
Oatlands and Oberon Golf Clubs were paired as Buddy Club partners in the first stage of the Golf NSW Buddy Club Program in 2015.
The Program has proved enormously beneficial to both clubs, with the flow of technical expertise in areas like club management and golf course operations helping the small country club.
Other benefits to flow through included the donation of excess equipment for Oberon’s Commercial kitchen, clinics and tuition in the game conducted by Oatlands golf operations staff, and some organized “Super 6s” and Ambrose competitions. There was even a pop-up golf shop offering products that the Oberon locals didn't get access to purchase on a regular basis.
“This type of co-operation forges friendships that last a lifetime. We hope we’ve taken the first step that way with Oberon,” Mr Sumner added.
The Buddy Club Program was launched by Golf NSW in March 2015 with more than 120 clubs signing on to the program during the first round of offers. Participating clubs have enjoyed benefits ranging from strategic planning workshops, the donation of excess course and office equipment, and organized visits from staff and executives to share industry expertise.
“Recognition like this by Clubs NSW just goes to show how effective the Buddy Club Program can be,” says Stuart Fraser, CEO of Golf NSW. “It’s great to see our affiliated clubs reap the benefits of the program and to see how it’s helping them, their communities, and the game of golf as a whole.”
The winning club will be announced at the Clubs NSW Clubs & Community Awards Dinner on May 6th.