The Double Eagle Golf Club (DEGC) is getting ready to host another round of golf at its annual Charity Golf Day, raising vital funds for the Royal Melbourne Hospital Neuropsychiatry Unit and their dementia research.
The Charity Golf Day will take place on Labour Day (10 March) with the club preparing to host over 50 players at Glen Waverley Golf Course in a day of fun all in support of a good cause.
DEGC President John Marinopoulos explained their eagerness to have the 11th edition of their annual event supported as greatly as possible to help contribute to the invaluable research done by the Royal Melbourne Hospital team.
“Dementia is touching all our lives and we have no cure for it. As all our Greek migrant parents get older, dementia is hitting every family,” Marinopoulos told Neos Kosmos.
He stated that they were alerted by Professor Dennis Velakoulis at the Royal Melbourne Hospital and the University of Melbourne of the work done by the Dementia Neuropsychiatry team, which inspired them to lend a hand in support with the Charity Golf Day.
Professor Velakoulis commended them for their efforts, having said in a statement to the DEGC:
“We highly value the support of the community in our research endeavours and thank the DEGC for running this charity day.”
The funds raised will help the Foundation in various ways for which they are tackling dementia, including: the early diagnosis of dementia using blood tests (especially in younger people where diagnosis can be delayed for three to four years), the impact of dementia (carer burden) on family members, and clinical trials for new drugs in different types of dementia which affect younger people.
It will also help towards the establishment of a Neuropsychiatry Carer and Consumer Group to provide better clinical and research services to our patient population.
Marinopoulos stated that, in addition to golf, the event will include a BBQ, gift bags, other activities alongside raffles and auctions of prizes.
He stressed their desire to incorporate as many young people (18+) as possible so that their players “recognise how important it is to give back to your community and be part of this significant fundraising effort”.
The DEGC (which is the oldest Greek social golf club in Melbourne since its establishment in 1987) has added a new element to their event this year with the introduction of a Virtual Spectator donation.
Marinopolous explained they adopted the Virtual Spectator from cricket’s Sydney Pink Tests, offering an alternative donation model wherein people can donate $20 and receive a virtual seat (meaning they can participate and support the event without physically attending it).
“We would like to sell 1,000 virtual spectator spots this year,” he said, adding that they hope to build on it in future years to come.
Further details on the event, including how to participate and/or donate, can be found at the club’s website: degc.club.
