Golf brings residents together in a celebration of connection and community
At ACH Group, bringing people together through shared experiences is at the heart of everything the social team does – especially when those experiences celebrate South Australia’s rich and diverse sporting culture.
With the buzz of events like LIV Golf still in the air, the team has teed up a new initiative for August: the ACH Group Masters Golf Classic. This fun, golf-themed event will roll out across residential care homes, inviting residents to get involved, have a laugh, and reconnect through the spirit of the game.
At Kapara Residential Care Home, the excitement is already building. In preparation for the upcoming challenge, the social team organised a special outing to X-Golf, where residents had the chance to swing a club using high-tech golf simulators.
Among those stepping up to the virtual tee were Fred and Brian, two residents whose eyes lit up at the very mention of golf.
When Michelle, Kapara’s Community Connector Lead, sat down with them to learn more, she uncovered a shared history steeped in fairways, family traditions, and a lifelong love for a game defined by quiet focus and strategic finesse.
A Game for Life
Fred’s golfing story
“I picked up the game in Adelaide back in the ’70s,” Fred recalls with a smile. “Once I started, I just fell in love with it.”
Fred’s journey with golf began over 50 years ago. He spent countless hours at the driving range, working on his swing and finding joy in the rhythm and focus the game demanded. “There’s something peaceful about it,” he says. “Just you, the club, and the course.”
As the years went by, golf took Fred all over Australia. One of his proudest achievements was becoming a member of the prestigious Concord Golf Club in Sydney. But it wasn’t just about the competition – Fred’s love for golf deepened when he started playing regularly with his son, Tony.
“Tony was a natural,” Fred says proudly. “He ended up a scratch golfer, and I held a 10 handicap – decent enough to keep up with him most days!”
The father-son duo shared unforgettable moments on the course, from local clubs to legendary destinations. “We played St Andrews in Scotland, Pebble Beach in the U.S., even made our way through Singapore and Hawaii. Every round had a story,” Fred remembers.
One of the highlights? “Attending The Masters,” Fred says, his eyes lighting up. “That was a dream come true. Just to be there, soaking it all in – it was magic.”
Now, reflecting on decades of golf, Fred is grateful not just for the places he’s been, but for the memories made and the bond it built with his son.
“It’s part of who I am,” he says.
A Family Tradition
Brian’s Golfing Story
“I was just five when Dad handed me a four iron,” Brian says with a grin. “That was it – I was hooked.”
For Brian, golf was more than sport – it was part of growing up. With both parents and his sister also playing, golf quickly became a cherished family tradition. “We’d head out for a round most Sundays – first in Bordertown, then Port Augusta. It was just what we did.”
As the years passed, Brian continued to chase the game across South Australia, playing on courses in Port Lincoln and Murray Bridge. But it was at Blackwood Golf Club in Cherry Gardens where he truly found his stride.
“I was there for 34 years,” Brian says. “Held a six handicap for a while, too. Not bad for a bloke who started with a single club and no lessons!”
For Brian, the joy of golf came not just from competition, but from everything else besides – the rhythm of the game, the people he met, and the quiet moments between shots.
“Golf teaches you patience. It’s not loud, it’s not flashy. You’ve got to be steady, and you’ve got to enjoy the quiet.”
Whether playing a friendly Sunday round or taking part in a small club comp, Brian brought a calm, steady presence to every game – one that others noticed and admired.
Looking back, Brian reflects on what golf has meant to him, “It gave me purpose, people, and a lot of good memories. And even now, just having a swing now and then – it brings me right back.
It’s a remarkable coincidence that two lifelong golfers like Fred and Brian now call Kapara home.
With the ACH Group Masters Golf Classic coming up in August, there’s a buzz of friendly competition at Kapara – who will come out on top?
With Fred and Brian in the mix, both bringing decades of experience and a deep love for the game, it’s shaping up to be an event worth watching.
Learn more about Kapara Residential Care Home and the Social and Wellbeing Experiences program.
