By Richard Owen

Maleny Golf Club has recently installed shark netting in front of the clubhouse deck overlooking the 18th green to protect patrons from the risk of being struck by errant golf balls.

The decision was prompted by a number of near misses and several injuries which could have been more serious, including one incident involving Nic Porter, the goal keeper for the “Aussie Sharks” Olympic men’s water polo team.

He was struck after the team had played a social round of golf at Maleny while training on the Sunshine Coast with Japan in the lead up to the World Championships in Doha and Olympic Games in Paris. Porter, the son of the club’s General Manager Stephen Porter, might never have got to compete in Paris had the ball which hit him on the forehead done more than just leave him with a nasty bump and a headache.

Thankfully, Nic and his team made the Olympic quarterfinals after beating higher ranked teams from Serbia, France and Hungry to finish second in Group B behind Spain. However, they were then knocked out of the competition by the USA.

Mr Porter, who went to Paris with the family to watch Nic and the team compete, said the decision to install the netting had been taken for the well-being of members and visitors before anyone was seriously hurt.

“One down side of the netting is the vista looking out from the clubhouse over the course is now a tad muted, but the views are still fantastic and worth a million dollars,” he said.

“For golfers playing their approach shots toward the 18th green, there is also now less risk of distraction from social activities on the deck or anxiety about the consequences of hitting an errant shot and hurting someone.”

• For more information about Maleny Golf Club, the course and membership options visit the website: www.golfmaleny.com