A group at Brisbane’s Carbrook Golf Club became so frustrated at one of their mates ‘pulling the handbrake’ to protect his handicap that they agreed the player with the worst score each day would have to play his next round using a pink golf bag.
Little did the group of four golfers realise their initiative would not only encourage players to keep trying until the end, but it would go on to raise more than $100,000 for charity.
What began as a bit of fun more than 20 years ago has become a year-long fundraising drive which will culminate this year on December 12 when more than 150 golfers compete in Carbrook’s Pink Bag Charity Day.
Pink-shirted members of Carbrook’s Pink Bag Club get ready for the club’s annual charity golf day.
Throughout the year Pink Bags were awarded to the golfer with the worst stableford score in Wednesday and Saturday club competitions. Each ‘winner’ is fined $10 – the proceeds going to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.
Each weekly recipient had to use the pink golf bag in his next round, and carry a pink purse in the clubhouse, where they would become the target for light-hearted banter from fellow Pink Baggers.
The Pink Bag Club officially began in 2006 when the group started keeping records so that an award, and a pink jacket, could be presented to the golfer who collects the most Pink Bags throughout the year.
Veteran member Peter Anemaat, a 23-handicapper who still plays regularly at Carbrook, became the first Pink Bag champion.
“Not just the first,” Anemaat declares, almost with pride. “I won the first three, and I reckon I might be in the running again this year.”
Anemaat recalls that the prostate cancer charity was chosen because a number of club members were dealing with the illness. “The money goes to a good cause,” he said.
Since the initiative began, Carbrook members have raised more than $110,000, with Pink Bag Coordinator Darren Bury predicting this year’s total will exceed $10,000.
Last year’s Pink Bag champ Andrew Stocks (right) is congratulated by Carbrook president Bruce Weston.
Mr Bury said the Pink Bag Charity Day – a team event, generally a four-person Ambrose or Gentsomes competition – was the Pink Bag Club’s main fundraiser.
Club general manager Scott Wagstaff said as well as raising much-needed funds, the initiative provided a support network for members diagnosed with prostate cancer.
“A number of members now openly discuss their battle with this disease and that allows for members who have questions, or who are facing a similar problem, to have an amazing support network.
“Each year the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia sends a representative to the Pink Bag Club’s annual golf day so they can share their work, explain the purpose of the foundation and help educate members on what to do if they have any symptoms.
“It’s a great way to see the reality of the work and where the funds raised go,” Wagstaff said.
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