Thursday, June 26, 2025

Issue:

Mackay and Whitsunday Life

A Decade Of Drives For Charity Dollars

What began a decade ago as a heartfelt response to a struggling community has blossomed into Central and North Queensland's largest charity golf day, consistently driving significant funds and fostering immense goodwill.

The M&P Services-Key Solutions Group Annual Charity Golf Day is celebrating its remarkable 10th anniversary, poised to shatter all previous fundraising records and cement its legacy as a true community pillar.

How a Passion for Golf Paved the Way for Community Support

From humble beginnings in its inaugural year, raising a commendable $6,000, the event has seen an extraordinary surge in support, culminating in over $61,000 raised in its 9th year. This year, the ambition is even grander: to surpass an incredible $75,000, which would push the total funds raised over the past decade to more than $350,000 – a truly monumental achievement for the community.

The genesis of this beloved event traces back to a challenging period.

"The annual golf day was born in the downturn," explains Max Lamb Jr, Director of M&P Services.

"Businesses were really feeling the pinch in 2012 and 2013, and by 2015, charities were truly suffering."

Max, who previously hosted other supplier/client annual events that saw waning interest, sought a new avenue for impact.

"I thought of a golf day, which linked a personal passion of mine with something I could make truly special," he recounts. And special it has become.

Over the years, the M&P Services-Key Solutions Group Charity Golf Day has taken off, now widely regarded as the pinnacle of fundraising combined with fun in the community. It's a day for everyone, attracting both men and women, with workplace groups of women increasingly showing the men how it's done on the greens.

Beyond the friendly competition, every swing and every putt is in the name of charity. Participants can test their luck at the popular "Hit and Hope" hole, “Putt for Dough” or contribute to the "Dry Village" hole, where pledges for tents directly support Chances House for the homeless. The generosity doesn't stop there, with over $30,000 in incredible raffle prizes up for grabs. Imagine winning your very own "Club House”, kitted out with a 65-inch Smart TV along with all the luxuries in a 29m2 cyclone-rated modular building! Other coveted prizes include kayaks, wheelie bins full of groceries, BBQs, flight vouchers, sailing trips, a generator, and much more. For those seeking unforgettable moments, there are awesome experiences too, like weekend getaways and VIP experiences.

Max Lamb Jr is quick to acknowledge the vital partnerships that make the day possible.

"We couldn't do this without the incredible support of our sponsors and enthusiastic participants," he states.

"I want to specifically thank Frank Attard from Key Solutions Group, our joint naming rights sponsor, along with all our other major and minor sponsors. Their commitment is what allows us to ensure that 100 per cent of the funds raised go directly to those in need in our region.”

As the 10th M&P Services Charity-Key Solutions Group Golf Day prepares to tee off, it's abundantly clear that this isn't merely a pursuit of birdies or an avoidance of the dreaded rough. It's a masterclass in driving change, one perfectly (or hilariously imperfectly) struck ball at a time.

This annual gathering has consistently proven that when a community collectively swings for a cause, the resulting impact is anything but par for the course. Indeed, it's a decade-long hole-in-one for Mackay, demonstrating that even a slice can lead to a substantial sum for those who need it most.

WHAT:
10th Annual M&P Services Charity Golf Day
WHEN:
Friday, 25th July 2025
WHERE:
Mackay Golf Club
Mackay Bucasia Road

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