Standpipe Cup golf competition celebrates recycled water partnerships

RECYCLED water irrigation agreements between Goulburn Valley Water (GVW) and golf clubs will be at the heart of October’s Community Standpipe Cup golf event. The inaugural event that was hosted by Marysville Golf Club will move to Mansfield when the Mansfield Golf Club hosts a four-person Ambrose event on Saturday, October 3. GVW has recycled water irrigation agreements with Mansfield, Marysville, Yea, Seymour and Euroa golf clubs, supplying more than 300 million litres of recycled water to the courses. These agreements have been in place since the early 2000s, enabling clubs to keep courses green all year-round. Wastewater Quality Coordinator Stuart Harris, who has worked alongside the clubs throughout much of the program's history, said the value of reliable irrigation water could not be overstated. "Ask any golf player the ingredients for a good golf course and the answers will generally lead back to one thing: water," Mr Harris said. One of the strongest examples of the program's success can be found at Mansfield Golf Club. In the early 2000s the club was battling prolonged dry conditions and the cost of using town water for irrigation was prohibitive. Following an investment by the club to construct a connection, recycled water was delivered to the course, helping transform it. Long-serving greenskeeper Tony Cooksey described the initiative as "the best thing the club has ever done". Mr Harris said the Community Standpipe Cup was an opportunity to celebrate the partnerships that have supported communities to maintain recreational facilities. "These agreements have delivered enormous benefits to local communities for years," he said. "On October 3 we'll celebrate five clubs that have been able to provide great playing conditions thanks to high-quality irrigation water and the dedicated staff who support these initiatives." The event is open to everyone, with teams of four competing for Community Standpipe Cup honours. Reigning champions Marysville Golf Club will be looking to defend the title against host club Mansfield, along with teams from Euroa, Seymour and Yea. Anyone interested in taking part in the Community Standpipe Cup can contact Mansfield Golf Club Pro Shop on 5775 2628 for further information.