Many sports activities followers, golfers included, would bear in mind the dramatic scenes when Aussie world champion surfer Mick Fanning appeared to combat off a big shark in Jefferies Bay South Africa (2015) whereas within the closing of the WSL championship, and the heroics of his mate Julian Wilson who got here to his help.
It seems Mick Fanning isn’t any ‘Nice White Shark’ on the hyperlinks, however with a coronary heart of gold his post-surfing profession has concerned serving to the much less lucky through his uber profitable charity golf day, an occasion which sees a few of Australia’s prime shelf sports activities stars, actors, comedians, musicians and enterprise house owners chipping in to boost funds for the Northern Rivers Flood reduction.
Inside Golf’s Andrew Crockett put a sequence of inquiries to Fanning, about his golf and his charity endeavours which has assisted lots of these in want.
Are you able to bear in mind whenever you first performed golf? Who was it with and who helped you get into the sport?Ha! I don’t know if I’ve ever performed precise golf. First time I hacked round a course although was most likely 20 years in the past. I used to be by no means loopy about it however a couple of of the boys would go hack round when the waves had been crap on tour. I’d tag alongside often for a little bit of enjoyable.
Did you used to play a lot golf whereas on tour with browsing, when the surf was flat? Obtained any humorous tales with the surfers and golf? I’d play a few occasions a 12 months. Jake Paterson, Kelly Slater, Luke Hitchings and Tom Whitaker had been at all times the mad golfers on tour. They name themselves the ‘Golf Geeks’. Occy and Andy Irons would play generally too and once they performed, I’d exit for a knock. Occy and Andy had been the funniest to play with. Andy was a scorching head competitor so he’d meltdown and break golf equipment and stuff. So humorous.
Ever had a gap in a single? I’ve. I obtained an Albatross on gap 7 at Chinderah. I hit driver and unintentionally hit a stinger. The factor by no means obtained increased than two metres. It ran throughout the grass without end and finally discovered its method into the opening. I retired from golf after that till just lately. Haha!
Apart from your personal charity golf day at Tweed, have you ever performed many different pro-ams and superstar golf occasions world wide? Probably not. After the hole-in-one I didn’t play for ages. Then in 2019 I used to be recovering from a knee damage and Ash Barty invited me to play within the Presidents Cup Professional-Am alongside Shane Warne and George Gregan at Royal Melbourne. It was a as soon as in a lifetime alternative and I knew among the greats, like Tiger, had been going to be there, so I mentioned sure.
I used to be so nervous about actually sucking in entrance of everybody that I went and noticed Mark Gibson and obtained some classes. I additionally wanted some recommendations on find out how to swing with out hurting my knee. I beloved the expertise.
Earlier than that I used to be simply swinging away like a wild man. Upon getting one thing to work on you rapidly get the bug.
Callaway set me up with some golf equipment and I’ve been hooked ever since. Sadly, the pro-am didn’t occur however I obtained to play some golf with Ash which was a lot of enjoyable. She’s unimaginable.
Mick Fanning the golfer, at his charity golf day in June. Credit score: Andy Jackman
Are you able to title some nice golf programs you might have performed round Australia (and the world) and any on the ‘bucket checklist’? I’ve obtained so many nonetheless to tick off, however I performed Barnbougle, the Dunes and The Misplaced Farm blew me away.So lovely. That’s the large one for me.
Have you ever obtained any mates on the professional golf tour and have you ever any want to caddy at among the greater occasions? I’ve frolicked with Adam Scott a bit, he loves his browsing. He’s actually good mates with Julian Wilson, who is a superb golfer. I’ve performed with Pete Lonard and Paul Gow. Superior watching the nice guys get round a course. I don’t assume I’d have a lot to supply as a caddy… I might hold the Yeti stacked with Balter however that’s about it.
Life after the ‘world tour’ of browsing, are you continue to chasing good waves and have loads of commitments with the trade? I’ll be chasing good waves without end. Nonetheless lots on with a younger household and plenty of commitments. I’ve obtained two little children now so my time on the course has mainly been restricted to my Charity Golf Day. As soon as they begin faculty, I’ll most likely dedicate some extra time to it.
Your charity day is simply in its third 12 months and already is among the most profitable in Australia. How can Australian golfers get extra concerned in your occasion and help your efforts? It’s overwhelming to have such unimaginable help from our companions, native companies and celebrities. Our aim is to make it the funnest golf day there’s. We make our on-line public sale and raffles out there to everybody and that’s the easiest way to become involved. Spots within the draw are sadly restricted however in the event you get in early with a workforce as soon as we open registration you’ll be an opportunity and also you received’t remorse it. Keep tuned to our web site mickfanningcharitygolfday.com for bulletins.
What would Mick Fanning’s final golf group appear to be? The group I used to be meant to play with at The Presidents Cup is what obtained me psyched on golf so it might be them: Ash Barty, George Gregan and Shane Warne. Clearly, that may’t occur now, however it might have been wonderful.
Mick Fanning Charity Golf Day supporting households in want
By Andrew Crockett
Three-time browsing World Champion Mick Fanning hosted the third Annual Mick Fanning Charity Golf Day at Coolangatta & Tweed Heads Golf Membership in June.
Celebrities, athletes, companies, and beneficiant donors took to the 36-hole course to boost funds for these impacted by the Northern Rivers floods of February, 2022 which worn out properties, faculties, companies, and entire communities.
Two years on and the area continues to be recovering with many households nonetheless displaced. After Fanning took half in rescue operations he stayed in contact and has been dedicated to serving to folks get again on their toes.
Greater than $1million had been raised within the first two years since inception, with this 12 months’s occasion, the largest but, including one other $674,000 to the earlier complete.
The 2024 Mick Fanning Golf day attracted a giant crowd of celebrities, athletes, companies, and beneficiant donors in elevating funds for these impacted by the 2022 Northern Rivers floods. – Credit score: Andy Jackman
“It’s been two years now and nonetheless, there are such a lot of folks, households, and companies in want of assist to rebuild their lives. As we’ve gone on this journey, we’ve met so many extremely robust folks, and we wish to allow them to know that they aren’t forgotten,” Fanning commented earlier than the 2024 golf day teed off.
Celeb golfers at this 12 months’s occasion included Andy Lee and Hamish Blake, Ash Barty, Bernard Fanning, Nedd Brockman, Cam Smith, Pat Rafter, Dylan Alcott, Ellidy Pullin, Man Sebastian, Leila McKinnon, Wade Graham and Max Gawn.
All funds raised are distributed immediately with the assistance of charities GIVIT, Arms on Coronary heart Mission and Human Nature.
This 12 months most people took half through the web public sale, which featured a spread of donated gadgets and money-can’t-buy experiences from Mick’s high-profile mates, together with a Daniel Ricciardo racing go well with, fishing with Cam Smith and The Mad Hueys, and 5 nights’ lodging at Fanning’s personal property, Rolling Seas. Every year there’s additionally the possibility for one fortunate {golfing} 4 to play alongside the star-studded lineup of athletes and superstar members, through the public sale.
The first sponsor for the third 12 months in a row was Balter Beer, with different key sponsors together with Lululemon because the Official Merchandise Sponsor, ClubCar, Callaway, Yeti, Bushnell Golf, Tremendous Stroke and Shortees.
www.mickfanningcharitygolfday.com
