Pastoralists, community members and sponsors from around the northern Flinders Ranges region and regional South Australia congregated at North Moolooloo Station near Copley recently for a one-of-a-kind golf day fundraiser.
The 11th bi-annual North Moolooloo Golf Classic was once again run as a major fundraiser thanks to major sponsor Leigh Creek Energy (LCK) and wide support, raising $27,000 for the Royal Flying Doctors (RFDS).
The Classic has been run successfully over the past three decades by North Moolooloo Station owner and manager Ian Ferguson, who spends much of the two years between events maintaining his purpose-built golf course amongst his property’s beautiful Flinders Ranges landscape.
Such is the unique location and laidback nature of the bush event, the Classic has been a staple for pastoralists all over northern South Australia, with some entrants travelling thousands of kilometres every two years.
There were 19 teams of four braving the hot conditions for a unique round of 18 around the makeshift Moolooloo course, while many others spent the day in the woolshed enjoying food and refreshments.
A local team from Quorn took major honours, negotiating the dirt-track fairways and sandscape greens the best to record the best team ambrose score, while LCK claimed the longest drive competition.
Ian said the day was concluded in the usual fashion, with stories exchanged back at the woolshed of barely believable extraordinary feats on his course, and a charity auction where donated prizes added to the impressive donation cheque for the RFDS.
“Thanks to everyone who gave in various ways to the day through sponsorship, donations, playing, volunteering and general support,” Ian said.
“It is a combined effort from many who donate their time to ensure in return we can donate a decent amount of money to the RFDS.
“A big thank you to Leigh Creek Energy as the major sponsor and also for supplying a workman and a sponsor who provided refreshments around the course.”
As one of the company’s representatives in the LCK quartet on the course, LCK Manager of Operations Cristian Bolda said the North Moolooloo Golf Classic is a unique and worthy event which can be enjoyed by golf pros and novices alike.
“Ian runs a well-organised golf Classic at Moolooloo Station that’s providing valuable assistance to the RFDS, but also a fantastic event for the local community to enjoy,” Cristian said.
“Even if LCK doesn’t have the best or most committed golfers within its four walls, we, like the other 150-odd attendees, enjoyed the Classic very much.
“LCK is always happy to support a worthy event like this, especially one located within our local region of operations and benefitting the far northern Flinders Ranges.
“We’ll be sure to be back in 2021!”