Golf Vic Vol 60 No 1

Over time a plan was created to refurbish the clubhouse facility – golf shop, members lounge and deck area, commercial kitchen, function room/restaurant space, bowls office, golf office and bar facilities. Said Coker: “The club members now enjoy the benefits of this sustained recovery over 10 years; it is maintained by Kellan Fiske and a dedicated team of volunteers who have a passion to present the course and gardens to a high standard each week. Long time members, visitors and the community are very complimentary about the standard of presentation." Before Black Saturday the club had about 150 members. “A lot of members moved from the area after the fires and said: ‘enough’s enough’. There were probably too many bad memories, too,” said Bob Emblin.

Rob Christie, the former course superintendent and life member of the club, played a crucial role in coordinating the recovery and kept the place going in the year after the fires. Nine holes were re-opened for play in May and the final nine later in the year, once the bridges were repaired. It was an extraordinary community effort that lives on today through superintendent Kellan Fiske and his trusty band of five or six volunteers who help keep the course in pristine condition. ****** Steve Coker was not a member of the club at the time of Black Saturday, although he and his wife, as part-time residents, lost their home in the fires. After Black Saturday, Coker became responsible for the bushfire clean-up across the state as an Executive Project Manager with Grocon. He joined the club later in 2009, began playing regularly and is now the club president. Coker said there was a huge voluntary response from individuals, organisations, businesses and clubs from all over Australia in the initial clean-up.

MARYSVILLE COMMUNITY GOLF & BOWLS CLUB

You can support Marysville by visiting the town and the many tourist attractions in the region. The Marysville Community Golf & Bowls Club welcomes green fee players seven days a week and offers an 18-hole course set in a natural amphitheatre surrounded by picturesque hills. Nestled in a fertile valley of the Great Dividing Range, the course has been designed to embrace the countryside and the Steavenson River which meanders through it. You can book online or contact the club on (03) 5963 3241 or email enquiries@marysvillegolfandbowls.com.au The Golf Shop is open weekends or other days by prearrangement. GREEN FEES $30.00 weekends or public holidays ($25 for 9 holes). $25.00 midweek ($20 for 9 holes). The bowling green is available for hire for $10.00 per person ($5.00 if you bring your own bowls).

But the club has built back up to 120 active members and runs two competitions each week.

Ten years after the day which devastated the community, the hard work has begun to pay off. It’s there for all to see in the lush fairways, verdant surrounds and smooth-rolling greens. So much so that members are almost unanimous in their view: the course has never looked better.

Marysville Caravan and Holiday Park is set in Marysville itself – 2km from the Marysville Golf Club, within walking distance to the hotel, coffee shops, local supermarket plus much more. Sit by the river with a little wine from one of our local wineries, enjoy the surrounding trees and birds (who are very friendly). Less than 10 minute drive to the beautiful Steavensons Falls. Walks, Brunos Sculpture garden and so much more – oh, of course, and that game of golf. 03 59633247 marysvillecaravanpark.com.au

• Cabins • Powered sites • Group Bookings

• Function Room available • Bookings of groups 10 bookings or more 5% discount (2 night min)

• Group organiser – 1 night free (on a 2 night min) This ad must be mentioned on booking for these discounts.

26 Golf Victoria