I was asked by the Ilhan Food Allergy Foundation to take some aerial images of Marysville Golf Club for a proposed golf day which is being held at the fire ravaged golf club on November 10 this year. We headed off from Moorabbin Airport with the crew from Microflite for the 35 minute flight to the golf course.

The scene from the air was one of a number of distinct contrasts - the open pastures of the farms surrounding the golf course and the fairways of the golf course were a lush green whilst the trees surrounding the course and scattered amongst the fairways were scarred and burnt - a remnant of the terrible Black Saturday Bushfires in February this year. And to add a further contrast there was white snow in the hills surrounding the township.

Amidst all the destruction there is hope - the course is being rebuilt, one step at a time. Volunteer groundstaff from the Melbourne Sandbelt courses headed up to Marysville and helped to returf a number of greens and the 7 bridges burnt completely are being rebuilt.

GOLFSelect is excited about running the Ilhan Charity Challenge and we look forward to a lot of money being raised for what is a great cause.

Footnote (9 July 2009): Geoff Ogilvy (Australia's Number 1 golfer) has just agreed to attend the golf day and help out. What a wonderful gesture!