Nearly quarter of a million raised at Premier’s Cup

The second annual Premier’s Cup was held on Monday at Victoria’s most prestigious golf club, Royal Melbourne, uniting the Australian golf industry.

The event succeeded to raise approximately $245,000 for the Good Friday Appeal and the Bourke Street Fund.

The all-star line-up included Ricky Ponting, Damien Oliver, Archie Thomson and the Hon. Daniel Andrews MP,  Anthony Carbines MP and Tim Richardson MP all showing their passion for golf on the Melbourne Sandbelt while Tour Professionals including Olympian Marcus Fraser, Peter O’Malley and Deyen Lawson showed them how to really tame the course.

The day, which was run in conjunction with the Australian Golf Industry Council (AGIC), provided a great networking opportunity between Members of Parliament, corporate participants and representatives from the golf industry.

Taking out the overall honours on the day were a team from Crown Resorts – one of the biggest corporate supporters of the Premier’s Cup in the last two years.

AGIC chairman Stephen Pitt lauded the day and function as “great initiatives of Premier Andrews.”

“It’s a terrific way for the golf community and corporate Australia to unite and show support for a great concept by the Premier which, more importantly, gets us collectively behind a wonderful cause,” Pitt said.

“The Royal Children’s Hospital and the Good Friday Appeal are both iconic Victorian institutions and it’s just great that golf can play a part in advancing them. It is also heartening to know that half the funds from the day will also be going to the Bourke Street Fund.”

While it was all about fun on the golf course, the Gala Dinner provided the launching pad to raise money for the Good Friday Appeal, a cause close to the Premier and all Victorian’s hearts.

With a number of fantastic items up for auction, including trips to the 2017 Presidents Cup, 2017 Open Championship, a Corporate Suite at the 2017 Ashes Boxing Day Test and an exclusive round of golf at Kingston Heath Golf Club with the Hon. Daniel Andrews MP and Australian golf royalty, Geoff Ogilvy, the bidding was fast and furious meaning significant funds were raised on the night.

The Australian Golf Industry Council and the Hon. Daniel Andrews MP were proud to have raised approximately $245,000, an increase of roughly $25,000 on last year’s donation.

“Our state is grieving with so many families affected by the tragic events on Bourke Street. It’s only right that a share of today’s proceeds gives them the support they need,” said Premier Andrews.

“The Royal Children’s Hospital cared for the youngest victims of the Bourke Street tragedy – just as they care for our state’s youngest patients every day – and these funds make a real difference.”

The final cheque will be presented by the Hon. Daniel Andrews MP as part of The Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal campaign on 14 April, 2017.