The Wombles giving to golf in Central Otago and beyond

By Neville Idour

The Wombles are now in Queenstown.

But it is not The Wombles best known as characters from a children’s television series.

The Wombles Golfing Society was created by Stephen Brent, a member at The Hills Golf Club near Queenstown.

Caption: Stephen Brent, head of The Wombles Golf Society.

Brent got a group of his golfing buddies from The Hills and nearby Millbrook to climb on board last year after covid-19 broke out with the idea of supporting other clubs. He saw the need to get out and support some of the smaller clubs in the wider district.

Brent creates monthly events for the group to go along and play in the various club fields at some of the harder to reach clubs in Central Otago and even Southland. Usually about 20 players will join the group. They pay the normal green fees and after golf the clubs benefit further financially with the apres-ski spending at the 19th. Clubs such as Roxburgh and as far as south as Winton have benefited from their presence.

The group also raise money for the Wakatipu Junior Golf Club (WJGC) by every player contributing $10 to a fund each time they play. A total of $10,000 was raised last year for the juniors.

The Wombles do have a marquee event every year, known as the outhouse to the penthouse.

WJGC co-ordinator Simon Boland said: “It is one of the attractions for joining the Wombles.

“On day one they play at “Royal” Tarras Golf Club and on day two they play at The Hills followed by dinner at The Hills.”

Brent added: “This is also a useful fundraiser and members sometimes make donations when they can’t play.”

Membership is growing and now has 93 members from all over New Zealand, paying an annual fee of $30 most of which goes towards the junior club. Brent would like to see more people joining.

Boland said: “It is really all about going out and doing good deeds for the benefit of others. It is a great concept, all about giving which sums up Stephen’s (Brent} character.”

Brent: “For me it is all about hunting out clubs with smaller memberships and more remote clubs and supporting them. Some players would like to support junior golf but don’t know how.

``So this is a means to do that and have some fun playing golf at the same time. Also some of our members are not familiar with Saturday club comps so this a way for them to learn the ropes and enjoy club days.

``The great thing is the clubs really welcome us when we approach them to play in their Saturday competition with them. We always make sure we are mixed with the locals which helps spread the word about us.”

Interestingly Brent’s brother Jonathan has started a Wombles Canterbury group in Christchurch and already has 60 members. Their aim is to support the clubs at this stage.

The model is clearly successful and like the Wakatipu Junior Golf Club concept which is being taken up all over New Zealand, may be the catalyst for Wombles Golfing Societies throughout New Zealand.