Months of effort and entertainment have culminated in a heart-warming donation from the Portarlington Golf Club to Feed Me Bellarine.

Neville Richards Premier League players were given the option of “hiring” event co-organiser Mark Hayes to fill in for their team if they were absent.

Fellow organiser - and cheeky pro - Matt Milne said he wasn’t sure if many of those who did the hiring got great results on course from Hayes.

“But I’ll give him his due, Hayesy certainly took the heat pretty well off the course and stumped up when he was approached no matter how bad his form was,” Milne said.

“In the end, we actually raised almost $1000 for one of the great causes in our neck of the woods – and I think we should all be really proud of that.

“Ideally you’d have got a few more stableford points for your investment, but you can rest pretty comfortably at night knowing you’ve really helped out some people in need of help.”

Feed Me chief executive Lana Purcell was delighted when Hayes took down $960 cash, adding to another $850 that was raised via a separate auction in conjunction with Kieser during the Carnival of Golf.

“It’s amazing, it really is,” Purcell said.

“We’re in a position that every cent counts, so to see this generosity from the members of the Portarlington Golf Club is really special.

“This money will help so many people with the absolute necessities of life, but it also really generates a great lift in community spirit and togetherness.

“It’s hard to put words on how grateful everyone will be.”