Golf Australia Wheatbelt-Goldfields officer Scott Ballantyne keen to drive growth through inclusion

Golf Australia Wheatbelt-Goldfields officer Scott Ballantyne is keen to raise the profile of golf across the region by promoting inclusivity and giving country clubs support to see the sport grow. Hailing from Cuballing, Ballantyne is one of GA’s three WA regional officers and his 65-course patch includes clubs in Wagin, Williams, Wandering, Esperance, Kalgoorlie and Hopetoun. It’s a lot of ground to cover but Ballantyne is passionate and driven. “WA Golf has made a bigger commitment to golf than it has in past years,” he said. “The commitment has more than doubled and it means that we are able to get out and support, especially the volunteers in regional golf clubs.” Ballantyne said travelling throughout the region in his role to help clubs was part of “walking the walk”. “We call it club health,” he said. “It’s ensuring that the committees are doing what they need to do, that they’re properly associated, they have some strategic plans in place.” Helping committees access grant funding and develop mentorship programs are two of the ways Ballantyne is working with regional clubs. One of the initiatives aimed at making the game more accessible is Sticks for Sticks, a program that collects and distributes second-hand golf clubs from metro players to clubs running beginner programs. “There’s a perception that golf is expensive and it can be . . . but it doesn’t have to be,” Ballantyne said. Other programs encourage regional players by offering skill development. “The Community Instructor program teaches community golfers to teach beginner golfers,” Ballantyne said. “It’s teaching the proper way to getting a good technique going . . . in a way that’s fun and encouraging.” By embracing alternative forms of the sport, like short-course and night golf, and promoting the physical and mental health benefits of the sport, Ballantyne is working hard to open up the game he loves to all-comers. “Golf Australia’s theme is that all golf is golf,” he said. “However you want to play it.”