The Angel Billy Golf Classic, which raises funds for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service, is an annual fixture on Nelson Bay’s social calendar and 2018 is set to be the biggest event yet.
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To mark the event’s 21st birthday, Port Stephens Toyota is sponsoring two holes on Nelson Bay Golf Club’s 27-hole course.
Any Angel Billy golfer that gets a hole in one on hole five and 25 will get a car.
But, there is no limit on the amount of cars the Taylors Beach-based dealership is giving away.
“We’ve sponsored the Angel Billy Golf Classic for the past five years,” Michelle Smith from Port Stephens Toyota said.
“We’re passionate about supporting community. Helping to raise money for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter is one of the ways we can support the local community.”
Ron Smith, who died in 2015, started the golf classic in 1997 as a way to raise money for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.
Mr Smith previously said people called him “crazy” for wanting to run such a tournament.
In its first year the Angel Billy raised $9000 and at its peak, with 448 people playing, it raised $42,000.
“Nelson Bay Golf Club has supported this event for 20 years and will continue to support it,” the club’s president, Peter Power, said. “We’re a community club and anyway we can support the community, we will.”
Rob Wilbow, president of the Port Stephens Support Group of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service, said to date the event has raised more than $650,000.
He added that the Angel Billy’s success had a lot to do with businesses throwing their support behind the event by way of sponsorship or donations.
Mr Wilbow said about $60,000 worth of auction and raffle prizes had been donated for this year’s Angel Billy.
“It’s a really good day out,” he said.
Last year, the Anna Bay IGA team won the event.
The 21st Angel Billy Golf Classic will be held at Nelson Bay Golf Club on Sunday, October 28.
The ambrose event has a 9am shotgun start. Social teams of four cost $90 per person to play. This also includes a two course lunch.