STRUGGLING sporting clubs in the region have received a financial boost with $1000 Community Sports Sector grants handed out as part of the State Government’s COVID-19 Survival Package.
According to Member for Northern Victoria, Mark Gepp, the grants are intended to help 24 amateur clubs get back to play once Coronavirus restrictions are lifted.
Recipients included five Scout groups, three tennis clubs, and four golf clubs, among others.
At the Mooroopna Golf Club, manager, Craig Prothero, said the cash would go towards new distance signage on the upgraded driving range.
Since emerging from the initial March lockdown when golfing was prohibited, golf courses in Victoria have experienced a renaissance.
As a sport that naturally allows for easy social distancing, golf is one of few sports suitable in the midst of the lockdown.
Mr Prothero said while the gaming and bistro sides of the club were very quiet, action on the course was booming.
Stage one of the club’s $35,000 driving range upgrade is complete, which included a $6000 purchase of 10,000 golf balls.
“Golf seems to be back in a big way, as an upside of the COVID-19 pandemic. Plus, the weather has been great recently,” Mr Prothero said.
