Golf, and golfers, are a part of the community and were and are a part of the communities worst hit by the fires. Marysville, that small town that was so ravaged by the flames, has a golf course. Nearby Whittlesea, where so many have taken refuge in the days and weeks since the blazes, have closed their course for the foreseeable future. The Horsham Golf Club lost their club house, devastating not only for the club but the local community for whom the building served as the main conference, wedding reception and event venue in the town.

With a death toll over 200 and rising golf is way down the priority list of issues. But it's not unimportant. Like all activities, golf is a part of most communities and the return of players to the fairways will be amongst the signs that life is getting back to some kind of normality in towns so devastated that day.

As the next few weeks and months unfold there will be many opportunities to donate to the bushfire appeal through various golf events. Clubs, state and national bodies will all be organising ways to allow golfers to give and if you are at all capable of doing so I urge you to do it. In the mean time, spare a thought for those who have lost so much - including the chance to enjoy a simple game of golf.

It’s been just over two and a half years since I was lucky enough to land the job as editor of this paper and, corny as it sounds, it’s not only been an honour but a privilege - and one I haven’t taken lightly.

It’s afforded me the opportunity to meet hundreds of other like minded golf nuts from readers to advertisers to professional golfers and industry types, all of whom share a passion for this game at least the equal of my own.

But the reality is that things change in life and, as they say in the classics, our time together has come to an end.

This will be my last issue of the paper “in the chair”, as we say in the business, and it is not without some sadness I hand over the reins to somebody new.

Through the support of both great advertisers and great readers I feel that person will find Inside Social Golf in a strong position and I look forward to watching its continued growth from “the other side“.

There are always too many people to thank for their assistance in a situation like this so I won’t single any out but just say a general thanks to everyone I‘ve come across in this role.

Rod Morri

From the publisher:

It is with great regret that we see the departure of Rod Morri as Editor of Inside Social Golf newspaper. After almost 3 years at the helm Rod’s contribution has taken the publication to another level. His content and writing style was embraced by thousands of loyal readers every month. Personally it’s been an absolute pleasure having the opportunity to work with Rod over this time and he will be missed. Thanks for all the motivation, ideas, laughs, chats, beers, rums and games of golf. On behalf of Outdoor Sports Publishing and the crew at Inside Social Golf we wish you all the best with your new endeavours outside the golf industry.

Sam Arthur