Pearcedale's Annual Golf Day - A great fundraiser

 

Held every November, the Pearcedale Fire Brigade Community Golf Day has become a much-loved tradition that brings the community together in support of a vital cause.

 

Founded 21 years ago by Alistair Errey and Michael Mitchell, the event has grown into one of the brigade’s most successful fundraisers, generating close to $200,000 to help support local firefighting efforts over the years.

Money raised goes towards equipment maintenance and updates and assists the brigade in responding to emergency incidents and serving the community.

Al and Mitch have spent countless hours coordinating the event and engaged the support of numerous other brigade members to ensure the day runs smoothly each year. 

Collectively, they have nearly 50 years’ experience with Pearcedale CFA, holding various roles from firefighter to captain. They have been the driving force behind the success of the event, encouraging long-term community support of the competition. 

The first Annual Golf Day was held at Devil Bend Golf Course in 2003 with 36 players competing. Subsequent golf days have been held at Lang Lang Golf Course and in most years the event attracts about 100 players. Unfortunately, COVID-19 forced the cancellation of the event twice, but player numbers have begun to build up again since then. 

Until recently, the Pearcedale Fire Brigade, supported by the Pearcedale Support Group, managed all catering for the event, providing a cooked breakfast and roast lunch. Catering is now handled by Lang Lang Golf Club, easing the workload for the brigade, though some members miss the camaraderie that came with organising it. Previously, more than 20 brigade members were involved in catering duties on the day.

The early days involved many long hours of sending letters to sponsors and players. Thankfully, this is now achieved by electronic means thanks to a couple of tech savvy members.  

Players at the event compete in a standard 18-hole course, as well as mini competitions including closest to the pins, straightest drives, best dressed team, a putting competition and a Mulligan hole which provides added excitement.  

Traditionally, the event was run under the Stableford format but was changed in 2025 to be Four Ball Best Ball (Ambrose Format). This change has made it more of a team event and we have had very positive feedback about the change in format.  

Although it is difficult to predict the weather on the day, the variable weather has not stopped the players from having a great time, even when it’s been raining.  

The event is strongly supported by four major sponsors - Bendigo Bank, Coolibah Herbs, MediaBank and Stirling Real Estate - along with local businesses sponsoring each of the 18 holes. Brigade members are encouraged to seek additional hole sponsors through their workplaces and networks, while many small and large businesses generously donate prizes and auction items for the day.

Pearcedale Fire Brigade is very grateful to all its sponsors who have supported its fundraising efforts.  

Captain Kevin (Sully) Sullivan has also been a great supporter of the event and stresses that although primarily the event is a fundraiser, the engagement between the brigade and community is by far the most positive outcome of the day.

The next Pearcedale Fire Brigade Annual Golf Day will be held at Lang Lang Golf Course on Sunday 22 November 2026.

We invite readers to join in and have fun on this, and future golf days.

 

 

Submitted by	Pearcedale Fire Brigade