Melbourne Storm Captain and Prop Christian Welch, gun fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen and tough-nut halfback Jahrome Hughes joined Melbourne Storm owner and Yarrawonga resident Matt Tripp in Yarrawonga for a hit of golf and a sponsor dinner as a show of appreciation to Silverwoods’ property development company Lotus Living for their partnership with the NRL powerhouse.
Lotus Living became the latest addition to Storm’s partnership group in May launching a unique nearest the pin golf competition on Storm’s training ground, matchday and digital assets as well as promotional opportunities with the club’s NRL squad.
Mr Tripp said the partnership between Lotus and Storm was an excellent way for the region to be showcased to the wider audience with Melbourne Storm having the highest social media follower base of all sporting clubs in Australia.
“I’m so excited about this partnership as a Yarrawonga boy. For me it’s a match made in heaven,” Mr Tripp said.
“I hope it’s a win win for both parties. A few of the boys have been up here before and loved it so they try to organise to come back when they can. It will become a home away from home really.
“We also hope that we can showcase Yarrawonga and what Sebel have to offer here so that people who follow both the Storm and players social media see what a great place this is and we can drive tourism.
“The dinner with the players, sponsors and staff of Storm here at Sebel really showcases to them what they are promoting.”
The three senior players, Mr Tripp, Melbourne Storm staff and social media influencer Jackson Brazier, who also played a round of golf while filming for promotional purposes, enjoyed all of the facilities at the Sebel during their short stay especially the open-air dining at the Stock and Barrel restaurant tasting local regional wine and produce and Black Bull’s 18-hole Championship golf course as all who made their way to the region are avid golf lovers.
Fullback Papenhuyzen has not yet played a game this season as he continues to recover from a fractured kneecap suffered in round 18 last season with Welch and Hughes making their way up the Hume after a gruelling game against reigning premiers Penrith Panthers on Friday night at AFL stadium Marvel which saw the Storm unfortunately go down 16 – 34.
“It was good playing at Marvel, it was different. The roof is pretty cool and it feels like you are in an arena,” Hughes said.
“It was cool, it’s a great ground but we love coming away from that too and having a hit of golf,” Welch said.
“We came up and played here in the preseason earlier this year and loved it so we are going to try and get back here when we can to experience the town and have a hit of golf around the region.”
Storm’s next match will be on Saturday, July 15 in Sydney against the Roosters with the club having another bye this weekend.
