More than $1500 has been donated to Northam Men’s Shed thanks to funds raised at last year’s Aglime State Sand Greens Championship.
Given the regional roots of the event and many of its competitors, the Sand Greens Championship has a strong focus on highlighting regional men’s mental health issues.
Each host venue is invited to select a local men’s mental health initiative to support, with funds raised during the championship through player donations and purchases of limited edition golf items — in this case, blue golf towels.
Northam Golf Club hosted the 2025 State Sand Greens and chose the local men’s shed to be the beneficiary, with the money officially handed over in late January.
Northam GC President Chadd Hunt said it was an easy choice to raise funds for such a good cause.
“The men’s sheds do an important job throughout WA, not only just in Northam, but our local group that do great work in the community and they’ve created some artworks for us around the course and clubhouse, so we’re very pleased to be able to give back to them,” he said.
“State Stands is a men’s event, and men’s mental health is a big issue in the Wheatbelt. Men aren’t always very good at talking about their problems, which is why the men’s shed is so important.
“They can go there, get together and just have a chat about different things with other men. It’s certainly relatable to what goes on on the golf course.”
Created by the local Men’s Shed, this friendly chap welcomes visitors to Northam Golf Club
Steve Dagstra of Northam Men’s Shed was delighted to accept the donation, which he says will allow the local group to enhance their own offering while also potentially boosting other nearby branches.
“We’ve got an excellent relationship with Northam Country Club and we’re very grateful to them for thinking of us,” he said.
“We’ll be able to get some new wood-working and metal-working equipment with the money, and that will allow us to pass on some of our older gear to another men’s shed if they need it.”
Main picture, from left: Scott Ballantyne (GolfWA); Andrew Quinn (Northam GC); Steve Dragstra (Northam Men’s Shed); Chadd Hunt (Northam GC)
