Sometimes when you run a public event, the promotional path you need to tread is obvious.
But there’s so much going on at the Portarlington Golf Club on February 19-20, it’s too hard to make that choice.
On Tuesday, February 20, the third annual PGA Legends Tour Pro-Am will be played, proudly presented by new sponsor Sheen Panel Service.
The partnership with Sheen, whose Bellarine manager Josh Hewlett represents its shops in Ocean Grove and Drysdale, has enabled what was already an award-winning event to go the next level.
Aside from their physical presence with on-course activations, Sheen’s partnership with the club has permitted the expansion of the Skins Game concept introduced so successfully last year.
Chief executive Michael Phillips said the Skins Game, to be held as a forerunner to the Pro-Am on Monday, February 19, will now be just one of a whole host of entertainment options on the club’s beautifully manicured lawns.
“The Skins Game concept came about last year at the last minute but still proved really popular with some of the top pros playing a few holes around the clubhouse precinct for cash jackpots, including our own resident professional Matt Milne,” Phillips said.
“But this year, with a bit more time to organise things, we really wanted to expand this concept to include something for everyone, whether they’re golf fans or just like chilling outside in a beautiful setting.
“Our staff and partners are co-ordinating a tent village that will be the backdrop to another Skins Game, but mostly a hub of entertainment and fun for all members and visitors.
“We’ll have brilliant food with gourmet barbecue options provided by Doug Unsworth and his team at Parkers Steakhouse and a selection of wood-fired pizzas from our kitchen – all at heavily subsidised prices.
“We’ll have a bar outside, but even better with one of our village tents to provide tastings from our good friends at The Whiskery and another with samples and more from local winemaker Scotchman’s Hill.
“There’ll be live music from one of favourite regulars Craig Sayer, plus really handy information booths from other partners including Kieser and Lifestyle Communities.
“The Portarlington Football and Netball Club will continue to ramp up for its big season ahead with a membership booth flanked by an old-fashioned handball competition.
“We’ll also hold a putting competition on the practice green next to the pro shop, so the whole area around the clubhouse will be a hive of activity.”
The main event will also come with some added bonuses for golfers on hand, with two master classes run by the PGA legends on site.
Defending joint champion Terry Price will host a shot-shaping demo, while there’ll also be a short-game clinic with American Perry Parker for those needing some advice with wedge in hand.
“Then the Skins Game itself should be epic,” Phillips said.
“Matt had a lot of support last year and I’m sure he’ll have a band of hardcore supporters again, but he might just need them going up against Peter Lonard, Peter Fowler and our two defending champions in Andre Stolz and Terry Price.
“Be sure to come along, there really will be something for everyone.
“And then to have the focus of the Aussie golfing community for the Sheen Panel Service Legends Pro-Am on Tuesday will make it a great couple of days to be around the club.”

Pro-Am draws released
The draws for Tuesday’s Sheen Panel Service Legends Pro-Am have been completed.
Registration for the AM field starts from 7am near the pro shop, with the event proper to begin at 8am.
Registration for the PM field starts from 11am in the East Wing of the clubhouse, with the event proper to start at 1pm.
Please note that the draws are subject to change and will be updated as soon as possible should that happen.
Thanks, we’re excited to see you all here on Tuesday!
- AM Field Draw V3
- PM Field Draw V4
Your chance to join the action
Entries are now open to participate in the 2024 Sheen Panel Service Legends Pro-Am.
If you want a chance to play with and compete against some of the legendary names of Australian golf - including Peter Lonard, Peter Fowler, Nick O’Hern, Mike Clayton and Terry Price – be sure to register while space permits.
It’s only $75 to play in the morning field (8am shotgun start) or $95 to play in the afternoon field (1pm shotgun start).
Entry includes entry into all the day’s on-course events – individual and team events as well as special hole-by-hole competitions during the day – plus two meals (before and after) for each field.
A presentation ceremony will follow the afternoon’s play.

The club heartily welcomes new partner Sheen Panel Service as the naming rights sponsor of the club’s annual Legends Tour pro-am.
Some at the club might already have met new member Josh Hewlett, who oversees Sheen’s Ocean Grove and Drysdale shops. If not, please make him welcome and thank his company for their support of a great day on our calendar, this year to be played on 20 February.
“We are delighted to have the Sheen team on board for our pro-am,” chief executive Michael Phillips said.
“They’ve got some great ideas to help us grow the tournament, but just as importantly, Josh wants to get involved across the club and be part of its fabric with us all through the year.
“Tee up a game with Josh and – touch wood you don’t need to worry about this – keep Sheen at the forefront of your mind if you or your family have a little fender bender.”
Josh, a skillful left-hander whose game will thrive if and when work permits, is equally thrilled that Sheen has become a valued partner of Portarlington Golf Club.
“We want to be a part of the Bellarine community and keep things local for as many of us as possible,” he said.
“So fingers crossed you don’t need to see me professionally too often, but remember we’re there if you need us and I’d love to see you around the club on a social basis.”
Following the success of what was effectively an impromptu Skins Game last year, plans are in train to have that fan favourite back again in 2024, this time on 19 February.
We can confirm that Matt Milne has already secretly gone into training to try to wrestle a few bucks out of the touring pros’ pockets in Skins Game 2.
But we’re also working on an afternoon of fun on the lawn outside the clubhouse with food, music and maybe even a couple of “master classes” from the pros.
Stay tuned, more information soon!
Sometimes when you run a public event, the promotional path you need to tread is obvious.
But there’s so much going on at the Portarlington Golf Club on February 19-20, it’s too hard to make that choice.
On Tuesday, February 20, the third annual PGA Legends Tour Pro-Am will be played, proudly presented by new sponsor Sheen Panel Service.
The partnership with Sheen, whose Bellarine manager Josh Hewlett represents its shops in Ocean Grove and Drysdale, has enabled what was already an award-winning event to go the next level.
Aside from their physical presence with on-course activations, Sheen’s partnership with the club has permitted the expansion of the Skins Game concept introduced so successfully last year.
Chief executive Michael Phillips said the Skins Game, to be held as a forerunner to the Pro-Am on Monday, February 19, will now be just one of a whole host of entertainment options on the club’s beautifully manicured lawns.
“The Skins Game concept came about last year at the last minute but still proved really popular with some of the top pros playing a few holes around the clubhouse precinct for cash jackpots, including our own resident professional Matt Milne,” Phillips said.
“But this year, with a bit more time to organise things, we really wanted to expand this concept to include something for everyone, whether they’re golf fans or just like chilling outside in a beautiful setting.
“Our staff and partners are co-ordinating a tent village that will be the backdrop to another Skins Game, but mostly a hub of entertainment and fun for all members and visitors.
“We’ll have brilliant food with gourmet barbecue options provided by Doug Unsworth and his team at Parkers Steakhouse and a selection of wood-fired pizzas from our kitchen – all at heavily subsidised prices.
“We’ll have a bar outside, but even better with one of our village tents to provide tastings from our good friends at The Whiskery and another with samples and more from local winemaker Scotchman’s Hill.
“There’ll be live music from one of favourite regulars Craig Sayer, plus really handy information booths from other partners including Kieser and Lifestyle Communities.
“The Portarlington Football and Netball Club will continue to ramp up for its big season ahead with a membership booth flanked by an old-fashioned handball competition.
“We’ll also hold a putting competition on the practice green next to the pro shop, so the whole area around the clubhouse will be a hive of activity.”
The main event will also come with some added bonuses for golfers on hand, with two master classes run by the PGA legends on site.
Defending joint champion Terry Price will host a shot-shaping demo, while there’ll also be a short-game clinic with American Perry Parker for those needing some advice with wedge in hand.
“Then the Skins Game itself should be epic,” Phillips said.
“Matt had a lot of support last year and I’m sure he’ll have a band of hardcore supporters again, but he might just need them going up against Peter Lonard, Peter Fowler and our two defending champions in Andre Stolz and Terry Price.
“Be sure to come along, there really will be something for everyone.
“And then to have the focus of the Aussie golfing community for the Sheen Panel Service Legends Pro-Am on Tuesday will make it a great couple of days to be around the club.”

Immense generosity.
That’s the overwhelming sentiment on so many levels after the Portarlington Golf Club was central to raising more than $21,000 for the Cancer Council in this week’s “Longest Day in Golf”.
With donations still rolling in to congratulate all the players who toiled their way through – in some cases – more than 12 hours of golf, the count at time of writing was $21,200.
“It’s an extraordinary response and that’s genuinely an amazing number,” chief executive Michael Phillips said.
“There was an amazing vibe around the course throughout the day – I know some loonies, just kidding, I mean players, were away at first light at 5.40am.
“And from that point on until after 7pm, there was just an immense spirit of commitment, teamwork and generosity which made that amazing donation possible.”
Leading the way for Port – as he has for four years now – was the indefatigable Trung Truong, who looked like the Pied Piper at times out on course.
Trung was joined by several of his great mates for the majority of his day - including Darren Hellmann, who played all 72 holes with the event’s spiritual leader. Gary Stafford also walked the whole 72, playing the majority of the way.
But Trung’s tribe was intermittently joined by dozens of spectators, caddies and a whole swag of players who chimed in for nine, 18 or some times many more holes to be part of the atmosphere.
Trung and Darren, accompanied home by the bagpipes of long-time member Bill Ogilvie, were responsible for raising $4245 of the overall total.
“It’s just great to have so many people supporting the cause – amazing to have so many people walking around with me as we go,” Trung said.

The club heartily welcomes new partner Sheen Panel Service as the naming rights sponsor of the club’s annual Legends Tour pro-am.
Some at the club might already have met new member Josh Hewlett, who oversees Sheen’s Ocean Grove and Drysdale shops. If not, please make him welcome and thank his company for their support of a great day on our calendar, this year to be played on 20 February.
“We are delighted to have the Sheen team on board for our pro-am,” chief executive Michael Phillips said.
“They’ve got some great ideas to help us grow the tournament, but just as importantly, Josh wants to get involved across the club and be part of its fabric with us all through the year.
“Tee up a game with Josh and – touch wood you don’t need to worry about this – keep Sheen at the forefront of your mind if you or your family have a little fender bender.”
Josh, a skillful left-hander whose game will thrive if and when work permits, is equally thrilled that Sheen has become a valued partner of Portarlington Golf Club.
“We want to be a part of the Bellarine community and keep things local for as many of us as possible,” he said.
“So fingers crossed you don’t need to see me professionally too often, but remember we’re there if you need us and I’d love to see you around the club on a social basis.”
Following the success of what was effectively an impromptu Skins Game last year, plans are in train to have that fan favourite back again in 2024, this time on 19 February.
We can confirm that Matt Milne has already secretly gone into training to try to wrestle a few bucks out of the touring pros’ pockets in Skins Game 2.
But we’re also working on an afternoon of fun on the lawn outside the clubhouse with food, music and maybe even a couple of “master classes” from the pros.
Stay tuned, more information soon!
It has been a week of tear-jerking generosity from the members of the Portarlington Golf Club.
Following three Christmas "break-up" rounds of golf - two for the men on Tuesday and one for the women on Wednesday - there were meals and parties where the festive spirit shone through in spectacular fashion.
The raffles raised an extraordinary $1810 - a figure that will be raised to $2000 by another club donation in addition to the meals and raffle prizes already contributed.
That cash will be sent to Food Assist 3223, whose president Prue Drever was emotional when addressing the women's function.
In addition to the financial aid, there was not enough space in the club bus to transport all the donated food and children's Christmas presents to the charity's Newcombe St headquarters.
"I'm totally overwhelmed," Drever said.
"Thank you isn't adequate to all the members who were so generous.
"It's the most amazing gift to us to pass on to others - it was truly unbelievable and so moving, I couldn't help but cry to see it all."
Drever addressed the function and attempted to explain the desperate "plight" of so many in our community who rely on donated food and other necessities to make ends meet in their lives.
"If you don't need food relief, it's hard to understand it," she said.
"So it's part of my job to put it out there and have people understand that it's such a real and massive issue.
"That's why it's so amazing to see this level of generosity from the golf club.
"It's an amazing array of donations and gifts ... and I was pleasantly surprised even more by the quality and thoughts put into the gifts for the children.
"You should have seen all the faces (at the hall) when we dropped in a bus full of stuff - everyone was just blown away and so grateful to you all."
Club chief executive Michael Phillips said it was great to continue the club's involvement with Food Assist 3223, which also received a $7000 donation earlier this year from its Community Contribution Fund.
"It's hard to think of a more appropriate organisation for us to support within our community because it helps so many people," Phillips said.
"So on behalf of all of our extremely generous members, I wanted to thank Prue and her team for all the work they do to ease a genuine issue in our community.
"And I want to thank the members themselves for being so giving, especially at this time of the year."
Any donated toys not given to chidren immediately by Drever and her team will be sent to Pastor Jake at the Drysdale Community Church where they'll be distributed in time for Christmas.
But it wasn't all serious stuff through the week, particularly with the women's break-up party evolving into a singalong with a jukebox turned karaoke machine.
Captain Jenny Edmanson, who herself turned in a wonderful Abba duet with songbird staff member Lucy Jones, said everyone had a great time to celebrate the festive season.
"There was some great singing - not by me, for the record - and a heap of dancing, too, which was fantastic.
"It was a great way to celebrate the year and do something good for our community all at the same time."
