It was a magical moment when reality surpassed dreams.
Susanne and Steve Cullen were lucky enough to win a rare experience for two at this month’s ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open.
They experienced all four days of the tournament, including exclusive invites to the Golf Australia clubhouse Sunday luncheon, passes to the champion’s cocktail party alongside the victorious Ha Na Jang and even the opportunity to play the Royal Adelaide Golf Club in the Super Monday tournament!
All of this came about because of Susanne and Steve’s involvement with MyGolf, introducing golf to 70 juniors in the remote area of Alyangula in the Northern Territory.
Susanne said before her trip that she had hoped to meet a few players and that to get a few autographs would be a dream – and, boy, did her dreams come true.
Susanne beamed from ear to ear at the Sunday cocktail party as champion Ha Na Jang was presented on stage.
When asked about her opportunity to play the course, “I’ve never seen fairways like it!” was Susanne’s delighted response.
Susanne’s MyGolf journey began in 2015, leaving her blown away with 55 junior enrolments and a determination to strive for a bigger and better 2016.
A further 75 enrolments proved her success, with the assistance of husband Steve alongside volunteers Michael and Vianetta Chapman, Jake and Cindy Cockle and Mary Toman.
“I am extremely proud and happy to receive the honour of winning MyGolf deliverer of the year. It was very unexpected and I have worked hard for the past five years to even start a program in Alyangula,” Susanne said.
“It has been my goal since I started playing golf.
“I believe that our children are our future, so why not, as a community, help our children out in whatever they want to achieve.
“I found it very important having a few minutes after each of our sessions to talk about what we learnt and the fun we had; the responses were always positive.”
Susanne describes the benefits of running MyGolf as seeing the juniors turning up each Sunday ready for the golf session and getting involved in each exercise.
“The determination everyone showed and the reactions of successfully completing a lesson, I loved it,” Susanne said.
Congratulations Susanne, MyGolf is very proud of your outstanding achievements for junior golf!