Swinging for Good: Salsa Sorensen Golf Day raises significant amount to benefit local causes

BUSINESS FEATURE

Jamie Jansen

Journalist

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Golf team ‘The Lucky Duck’s’ won the best dressed prize. From left to right: Paul Sebbens, Brent Bones, Troy Cox and James Crozier. Picture: Newsport

Port Douglas witnessed a tremendous display of community spirit last Sunday as the Salsa Sorensen Golf Day unfolded once again, raising an impressive sum of $22,219 this year.

Eight local organisations were this year’s beneficiaries to benefit from the generosity of local businesses, kind individuals and the Salsa Sorensen Association.

The Salsa Sorensen golf day serves as a vital fundraising opportunity and a chance to present deserving local groups with checks of up to $3,000. 

Interested community groups apply, meet specific criteria, and if chosen, utilise the funds for targeted projects or timely purchases.

Since its start in 2009, the association has given away a total of $197,455, steadily moving towards the milestone of $200,000 next year.

An impressive sum of $22,219 was raised this year and given away to local organisations. Picture: Newsport

Evolution

Jenni Sorensen, the driving force behind this initiative, reflected on the event's evolution since its inception in 2009. 

She expressed her satisfaction with this year's outcome, reporting that 96 players participated under excellent weather conditions. 

This marked the 15th year of the event, which continues to grow in both scale and impact with each passing year.

“When we first started in 2009, we gave away $4,000. Now, it typically ranges between $20,000 and $25,000,” Ms Sorensen said.

“The Salsa Sorensen Golf Day has become an integral part of the Port Douglas community and many local businesses have remained committed supporters throughout the years. 

“This year, an impressive lineup of 36 businesses from the Douglas Shire contributed to the event.”

Ms Sorensen shared her heartfelt sentiment about her late husband, Brian Sorensen, whose memory lives on through this annual event.

After his passing, Ms Sorensen embarked on the mission to establish the Salsa Sorensen Society Inc in his memory.

“I think it's wonderful that we continue to hold this event in honour of Brian,’ she said. “He was passionate about golf and really cared about making a positive impact on the community, and I believe he would be proud of me.”

Golf Day prizes

The prestigious Salsa Sorensen Cup was claimed by Jan Murcott, Lisa Smith, Trevor Cheesman, and Wayne Christensen, securing an impressive score of 53.25.

Daryl Lee emerged victorious and earned the Rob Palethorpe Memorial Trophy.

Despite the excitement, the $20,000 hole-in-one prize remains unclaimed this year, as no participants were able to hit the mark.

Cheque recipients

Tropical Animal Rehabilitation Centre 

Amount received: $2,700

Future purpose: Microscope, digital camera, laptop & microslides 

 

Douglas FM Community Radio

Amount received: $2,999

Future purpose: Computer and microphones for recording studio

 

Mossman State School P & C Association

Amount received: $3,000

Future purpose: Decodable readers

 

St Augustine’s Primary School P & F Committee

Amount received: $2,800

Future purpose: Space jump path, meditation maze & bigfoot walking

 

University of the Third Age Douglas Shire

Amount received: $2,970

Future purpose: Petanque and mahjong equipment

 

Mossman Squash & Tennis Club

Amount received: $2,250

Future purpose: Bain-marie, fridge, microwave, deep fryer etc.

 

Wonga Beach P&C Committee

Amount received: $3,000

Future purpose: Dishwasher

 

DSCS T/A Mossman Support Services

Amount received: $2,500

Future purpose: Defibrillator with case

 

Shaolin Golf Team. From left to right: Pete Murphy, Sam Cullen, Flynn Bickford and Sam Drummond. Picture: Newsport
Tropical Animal Rehabilitation Centre received $2,700 to purchase a microscope, digital camera, laptop & microslides. Picture: Newsport
Douglas FM Community Radio received $2,999 to purchase a computer and microphones for recording studio. Picture: Newsport
Mossman State School P&C received $3,000 to purchase decodable readers. Picture: Newsport
St Augustine’s Primary School P&C Committee received $2,800 to purchase a space jump path, meditation maze & bigfoot walking. Picture: Newsport
University of the Third Age Douglas Shire received: $2,970 to purchase petanque and mahjong equipment. Picture: Newsport
Mossman Squash & Tennis Club received: $2,250 to purchase a bain-marie, fridge, microwave, deep fryer etc.Picture: Newsport
Wonga Beach P&C Committee received: $3,000 to purchase a dishwasher.
DSCS T/A Mossman Support Services received: $2,500 to purchase a defibrillator with case. Picture: Newsport
The prestigious Salsa Sorensen Cup was claimed by Jan Murcott, Lisa Smith, Trevor Cheesman, and Wayne Christensen. Picture: Newsport
Second prize won by James Dormer, Wayne Pavit, Trent Eldrioge and Wayne Pavit. Picture: Newsport
Third prize won by Julie Rose, Dan McCormack, Rob Cooke and Nadine Jones. Picture: Newsport
Last prize won by Sue Jones, Juoy Onto, Bev Warner and Michelle Salkow. Picture: Newsport
NTP Ladies Hole 3 won by Sarah Malpass. Picture: Newsport
Longest drive mens hole 8 won by James Crozier. Picture: Newsport
NTP Ladies Hole 6 won by Juoy Onto. Picture: Newsport
NTP Mens Hole 6 won by Troy Cox. Picture: Newsport
Ladies winning group, Wilma Frame, Joan McKay, Joanne Mear, Ritsuko Dickensen. Picture: Newsport

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