Golf might be the sport of 2020 thanks to the world’s sudden appreciation for fresh air and empty spaces.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
In early April Moama’s Rich River Golf Club was flooded with membership applications, but the club didn’t approve any after deciding to put morals over money.
Rich River Golf Club marketing and sales manager Paul Lavars said the club didn’t cash in on the initial COVID-19 rush because they thought it would be irresponsible.
“When COVID happened and people heard golf was still open we probably could have sold 200 memberships at the very beginning,” Mr Lavars said.
“But we thought it was irresponsible to take advantage of it at that stage, so we just opened one of the golf courses to our members. We wanted to make sure people were staying at home — we didn’t want to encourage everyone to run out when it was really serious at the start.”
Now as restrictions start to lift, the club is hoping the 200-odd golfing hopefuls snubbed in April didn't take it personally.
Mr Lavars said with many football seasons axed and clubs shut, golf was the perfect fit for the sporting hole left in many Echuca-Moama local's lives.
“Golf is a terrific option, especially if you’ve got a bit of time on the weekends now. Grab some mates, join up, get your golf clubs out of the shed and come and have a game,” he said.
“We’ve got some really good value beginner memberships, some three-day and flexible options for people.
“Golfing is a very easy way to stay 1.5m apart.”
The only hiccup is the golf carts, which normally sit two people side-by-side.
Rich River Golf Club solved the cart issue by restricting golfers to one person per cart and hiring them out half-priced.
Of course, golfing isn’t all Rich River Golf Club has to offer.
The club also runs accommodation, hosts self-contained caravans, operates a bistro and features a pro shop, a mini-golf course, croquet court, tennis and lawn bowls.
Of that long list, the bistro specialty nights were the “first thing the club brought back as soon as we could”, according to Mr Lavars.
The specialty nights include crowd favorites such as 2-for-1 Tuesday, $20 steak night Wednesday, two-course Thursday and carvery roast Sunday.
“We’ve also just started a new winter menu. It is an extensive menu and you can read it in full on our website,” Mr Lavars said.
The club has also upped the ante on its winter discounts.
“We’ve extended our June specials to include the July school holidays, so people can come and stay here for very cheap room rates,” Mr Lavars said.
“Our accommodation special has cheaper room hire, free meals, unlimited golf and those sorts of things. So our winter deals are certainly running at the moment for anyone who wants to visit the region.
“It is a safe, fresh-air holiday to come to Echuca-Moama and we just really encourage people to come and visit the region.”
Upcoming events going ahead at the club include the Father’s Day Fishing on the Fairways, where the club’s grounds are closed early and all lakes are opened for a fishing competition.
The popular Pop and Pour Festival in November has also been confirmed, to the delight of many foodies and Moama’s local wineries, brewers and distillers.
9°C