Golf Vic Vol 60 No 3 2019

Jarrod Lyle understood only too well the hardship facing young people and their families when battling cancer. Before his passing in August 2018, he said, “My time was short but if I’ve helped people think and act on behalf of those families who suffer through cancer, hopefully it wasn’t wasted.” Jarrod’s Gift is the legacy created in his honour. All fundraising goes towards his goal of helping Challenge support kids with cancer in practical ways. It was young up-and-coming golfer Keeley Marx who first used #DoingItForJarrod on social media to help her own fundraising effort to support Jarrod’s legacy. The sentiment behind those words resonated with Briony Lyle and it now represents the many ways in which people can continue to support the Lyles’ work to support children and families dealing with the disease. This August, the month of Jarrod’s birth and which this year will mark one year since his passing, will see a number of #DoingItForJarrod initiatives undertaken. The Australian golf industry in conjunction with Challenge has officially invited every golf club in Australia to nominate a members’ competition day during August or September as a #DoingItForJarrod day, collecting a gold coin from every participant. Participating clubs will: • go in the draw to win one of three all-expenses-paid experiences to the Gold Coast to play in the 2019 Australian PGA Championship Pro-Am on Wednesday December 18 at RACV Royal Pines Resort, • be officially recognised on a PGA of Australia Honour Board at the 2019 Australian PGA Championship, • receive a special #DoingItForJarrod registration pack that includes a yellow pin flag for the club and a yellow polo shirt for the organiser. Clubs are also asked to encourage members to dress in yellow, create a yellow theme or sell Challenge merchandise at these events. The ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia and European Tour co-sanctioned Australian PGA Championship will further support the fundraising initiative when “everything turns yellow” in memory of Jarrod at the tournament on Friday December 20. “Jarrod’s work with Challenge was incredibly important and we as a golfing community feel it important to continue his legacy,” said Gavin Kirkman, CEO of the PGA of Australia, which owns the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australia. August also sees the release of Jarrod’s authorised autobiography My Story , written by Jarrod in conjunction with respected golf journalists Mark Hayes and Martin Blake. The book, published by Lake Press, is to be launched at Commonwealth Golf Club. It will be available at a recommended retail price of $34.99. WAYS TO KEEP #DoingItForJarrod • registerin g your club’s golf day competiti on at www.challenge.org.au • donating directly to Jarrod’s Gift at www.challenge.org.au/donation/ • purchasing Leuk the Duck mercha ndise at www.challenge.org.au/shop/ • pre-ordering Jarrod’s autobiography My Story from www.challenge.org.au/shop/ Challenge supports kids with cancer, and lightens the cancer journey for the whole family by providing practical support and fun experiences 365 days o f the year. www.challenge.org.au JARROD’S GIFT KEEPS ON GIVING JEAN TO LEAD AUSSIES IN TEXAS Huntingdale Golf Club teaching professional Lisa Jean will captain the Australian team at the inaugural Women’s PGA Cup in Austin, Texas from October 22-26. Jean, a former touring pro, will lead a five-woman team in the 54-hole event to be played at the Foothills Course at Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa. Jean competed on the Ladies European Tour for six years before moving into teaching and now works as a Teaching Professional at Huntingdale. In 2015 she became the first female to win the Victorian Club Professional Championship, earning a start alongside the men at the Victorian PGA Championship in 2016. Joining her on the team is another Victorian, Sienna Voglis of Ivanhoe Golf Club, along with Gillian Rae of NSW, Western Australia’s Bronte Colbert and Queenslander Jade Fisher. Each team member is working full-time in the Australian golf industry, in accordance with the eligibility criteria. The 54-hole strokeplay event will see vocational professionals team up for national pride. Touring pros who primarily compete for a living are not eligible. Each team’s best three scores in each round are counted towards the total. 48 Golf Victoria