It was a sea of orange during this month’s Australian PGA Championship as the Cobra Puma Orange Crush Kids Day descended on RACV Royal Pines Resort.
Over 350 children dressed in their Rickie Fowler-inspired orange hats to rub shoulders with their favourite Nickelodeon characters, grab autographs from Australia’s top players, have a hit and a putt, and enjoy the many activities and roving entertainment.
There was a Cobra Puma fashion parade, with some of the kids chosen to be the models and show off the latest in golf gear.
Aussie favourite Marc Leishman was excited to bring along his young family.
“It’s awesome to see so many kids out here. My boys are out there and there’s a little putt-putt thing and Harvey, my oldest, ran up to me and he was like, ‘Daddy, daddy, I got the ball in the hole!’ He was really excited about it.”
Leishman was thrilled with the day’s activities and what events like this can do to grow the game of golf.
“It’s cool that they’re doing this sort of stuff for the kids because that’s where the future of the game is and for my kids to be able to enjoy it as well, it gives you a buzz and it puts a smile on your face when you see kids smiling and having a good time. So, it’s great that the Australian PGA is doing that.”
Tour Professional Jarrod Lyle brought along his daughters.
“It’s just such a whole different atmosphere for us as golfers to see so many kids running around enjoying what we do for a job.
“It’s something where I can put the golfer side of me aside for a little bit and just be a dad and then the golfer comes out again in afternoon.”
Greg Chalmers was busy signing autographs for the kids throughout the day and was stunned by the organisation put behind it.
“I’ve never seen so many kids like this before; I certainly don’t see it much in the States where you’ve got activities going on for the kids that are somewhat non-golf related but it gets them interested in going out there to the PGA and then you have it tied in with golf stuff.”
The day was made possible by Cobra Puma Golf, courtesy of their recently-expanded three-year partnership with the PGA of Australia. In addition to being the Official Uniform Partner of the PGA and Official Apparel Partner for the Australian PGA Championship, Cobra Puma is also supporting junior golf via investment and support in events like the Orange Crush Kids Day.
Cobra Puma have an established connection to the golf industry in both Australia and New Zealand and believe PGA Professionals are the cornerstones of the game.
“Cobra Puma Golf are dedicated to supporting golf at all levels; from the amateur game to tournaments and the risings stars on the Tour,” said Christian Pegrum, Head of Golf at Cobra Puma.
“PGA Professionals are the driving force behind grass roots golf in Australia and the recent expansion of our relationship with the PGA of Australia is in recognition of the important role Professionals play within the industry.”
“This extended partnership is a further step in our support of the entire Australian golf community.”
Cobra Puma Golf also supports the CCA Invitational, an industry event for PGA Professionals and General Managers, which incorporates retail development sessions to assist golf clubs to grow their businesses.
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