It’s here! The Melbourne Cup trophy is hoisted by Howlong Golf Resort General Manager Shaun Whitechurch and operations manager Alannah Cusack in the clubhouse.
Howlong’s hosting of the Melbourne Cup trophy has been described as an overwhelming success by Howlong Golf Resort General Manager Shaun Whitechurch.
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“Everything went well and according to plan,” he said. “We had over 200 people here on a day when our golf course was closed due to the heavy rains.
A gold cup replica for Howlong Golf Resort! New Zealand/Australian racehorse trainer Sheila Kathleen Laxon ONZM, the first female Thoroughbred horse trainer to win the Australian cups double, the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup, with her mare Ethereal in 2001, and with Howlong Golf Resort’s General Manager Shaun Whitechurch and operations manager Alannah Cusack.
“We thank the VRC (Victorian Racing Club) for going out of their way to meet community needs – the residents and staff at Oolong House appreciated and loved the visit, feeling part of racing history.
“The day was full of kids from infant age to any age who all got to up close to and had a feel of the Melbourne Cup.”
The day was a huge and successful day for the club financially and from a patronage point of view at Howlong Golf Resort according to Mr Whitechurch. “It certainly put us on the map in racing circles at our grand golf course and bowls club,” he said.
Operations manager Alannah Cusack was thrilled with the day, seeing the result of her work in submitting a successful application for Howlong, and Howlong Golf Resort, to be part of the 24 rural and regional Cup Tour destinations throughout Australia.
“To have the Melbourne Cup trophy on our doorstep was overwhelming,” she said. “To be presented with a gold cup replica was something of a shock and we are rapt to receive it.”
VRC presented the genuine 18 carat gold replica for the outstanding application out of 97 applications.
Howlong will be allocated a barrier for the 2022 Lexus Melbourne Cup race on Tuesday, November 1. The town which draws the barrier of winning horse will receive $50,000 to put towards a nominated charity, which in the case of Howlong, will be the Albury Wodonga Cancer Centre.
Unfortunately, the Pro Am Golf Classic which was to held at Wodonga and Howlong courses has been cancelled due to the recent heavy rainfall.
“We certainly hope to host it in 2023,” Mr Whitechurch said.
The Howlong Golf Resort team proudly with the Melbourne Cup trophy on the popular golf course bridge - Howlong’s own bridge - a la the famous Swilcanth Bridge at St Andrews Links golf course, Scotland.
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