St Mary Mackillop College, in the NSW Murray Region, has just hosted it’s third Lunch Time Launch It (LTLI) Program in three years.

The event, made possible through the support of several organizations, including Golf NSW and Jack Newton Junior Golf (JNJG), allowed students to experience the joy of golf in a fun and accessible manner. The College has strongly advocated for the game, integrating it into their sporting programs at the nearby Jindera Golf Club for several years.

While no prizes were awarded, the focus was on participation and enjoyment, with students eager to see who could hit the longest drive.

Engaging the School Community

This year’s event saw an impressive turnout, with 196 students and 33 teachers participating over the two days and catered to both junior and senior students.

Paul Griffin, Sports Co-ordinator at the College, highlighted the inclusive nature of the sport.

“Golf is a fantastic community builder as it is an equalizer. Students old and young are attempting to just make contact with the ball, to be accurate, and to learn how to swing the club like a golfer. It brings students from all year levels together, along with parents and teachers alike.”

Interested in how your School can host a Lunch Time Launch it Day? Visit the Lunch Time Launch It website for more details. Simply Click HERE

Students could participate in long-drive competitions and practice their swings using an indoor golf simulator. Due to its unique format, the event was particularly popular. All participants, including students and teachers, had three attempts to hit shots into the net.

By hosting a LTLI program, the school aimed to bring the excitement of golf directly to the students, ensuring everyone had a chance to “give golf a go.”

Reaction

The enthusiasm among the students was palpable. Here are a few highlights from their feedback:

• Joseph (Year 5): “The Indoor Golf Simulator was so cool! I managed to hit the ball 80.4 meters!”
• Eleora (Year 6): “It was so cool to smash the balls! I hit it 62.6 meters!”
• Patrick (Year 11): “It was great to learn how to hit better and cool to do a different sport. I hit 184 meters!”
• Edith (Year 12): “It was great. I managed to hit the ball 105.4 meters!”

Highlights

Throughout the two days, all participants, including students and teachers, had three attempts to hit shots into the net.

The LTLI activation ran almost continuously from the first break until the end of the last break each day, with a few PE classes interspersed between the activities.

On the final day, the event concluded with additional golf activities in the school playground. Students practised their skills by hitting targets of varying lengths and aiming for a small green.

42 Year 5/6 students and 64 secondary students from Years 7 to 10 participated in these sessions, which lasted 40 minutes each.

Looking Ahead

The success of the Lunchtime Launch It the College was evident in the enthusiastic participation and positive feedback from students and teachers alike.

The even spread of boys and girls eager to have another go at hitting the ball was a testament to the event’s appeal.

With plans for a repeat event in 2025, the school is excited to continue fostering a love for golf and providing students with memorable and engaging sporting experiences.

Here’s to another year of swinging success!