Three thousand balls hit or a hole in one – a chief executive will spend up to five days on Woodend Golf Course until he achieves one of these, raising funds for Down syndrome advocacy.
Down Syndrome Victoria chief executive Daniel Payne will tee off on Saturday, June 22, at the Woodend Golf Course, for the event, named ‘A hole in one for T21’.
The event will raise funds for his organisation that advocates with and for people with Down syndrome in Victoria.
Mr Payne will attempt a hole in one throughout the day and into the night for four to five days, remaining on-site for the duration and sleeping in a caravan.
Mr Payne, a long-term member of the Woodend Golf Club, said that he is looking forward to the challenge of achieving a hole in one but is remaining realistic in his expectations.
“If I don’t have any success, I’ll probably be there until Tuesday or Wednesday I’d say … I don’t think 3000 balls is going to cut it,” Mr Payne said.
“I’m a bit nervous – if I am hitting golf balls day and night for four days, I just hope my body holds up.”
Organised through the Woodend Golf Club committee, Mr Payne said the club has supported the idea “One hundred per cent from day one”.
Growing up in Woodend, Mr Payne attended Kyneton Secondary College and now lives with his wife and three children in Sunbury.
“I have three children … two girls Abbey and Holly who are 14, and Tyson who’s 11, and Holly has Down syndrome,” Mr Payne said.
It was through Holly that Mr Payne discovered Down Syndrome Victoria, later joining the organisation to become the chief executive.
“When Holly was born, we knew very little about Down syndrome … Down Syndrome Victoria were an incredible support to my wife Karina and I in those early days,” he said.
Residents can also take part in the challenge of getting a hole in one or make a donation to go into the draw for a prize.
Details: www.mycause.com.au/events/holeinonefort21
