Excitement is building as the Lebanese Muslim Association prepares to host the first ever “Australian Muslim Community Golf Tournament” on Saturday 14 December, at the Brighton Lakes Golf Course at Moorebank in south west Sydney.
With less than two weeks to go, the community’s response has been overwhelmingly positive, showing a keen interest in this ground-breaking event – organised by the LMA’s charity arm, Feed The World.
Registrations for the tournament have seen a remarkable response, and only limited vacancies remain for players eager to participate.
Male golfers aged 18 and above can still sign up for the Ambrose format tournament, either in teams of four for $400 or individually for $100, with the golf committee handling team placements.
Entry fees include green fees and a golf cart, ensuring a seamless experience for all participants.
The ‘Shotgun start’ will be at 1:30 pm, preceded by Dhuhur Prayer which will take place near the clubhouse at 1:00 pm.
Brighton Lakes Golf Club board, management and staff have been extremely accommodating with regard to the Muslim community’s requirements and the course will be closed to club members and all other members of the public for the duration of this event.
LMA spokesman Gamel Kheir is both “excited and optimistic” about the tournament’s potential success and is looking forward to a memorable day filled with camaraderie, competition and community spirit.
LMA Secretary and spokesman Hajj Gamel Kheir.
“We’re thrilled by the overall enthusiasm of the community towards the event,” Mr Kheir told AMUST.
“It’s all shaping up to be an unforgettable day and night, from the history-making tournament to the gala dinner that promises to be a highlight in itself.”
The gala dinner will be held at Brighton Lakes’ award-winning function centre, The Lakehouse.
All are welcome – men and women, golfers and non-golfers alike – and the gala dinner is set to be the perfect capstone to an incredible day.
The $100 per head ticketed dinner will feature a superb Middle Eastern halal menu.
A charity auction – compered by the inimitable Hussin Goss – will offer guests the chance to support Feed The World further, with exciting items up for bid.
All eyes on the prize….Brighton Lakes Golf Course has pristine greens which complement the challenging layout of the rest of the course.
An awards ceremony will honour the day’s best golfers, and this will be another highlight of the dinner.
For those who wish to attend the gala dinner alone, tickets are still available.
The tournament and dinner will not only offer a unique opportunity for players and guests to enjoy a memorable day of sport and celebration but will also contribute to a meaningful cause.
The LMA is delighted to have AMUST on board as the media partner of this very prestigious event, following hot on the heels of this newspaper’s similar support of the recent National Mosque Open Day at Lakemba Mosque.
The LMA and Feed The World extend their heartfelt gratitude to the host of generous sponsors who have already committed to supporting the event, helping make this vision a reality:
Gold Sponsors
THE BACK SPECIALIST
TRADIES ONLY PL
MACQUARIE ACCOUNTANTS
MCCA
SHREDRIGHT PL
OBA MOSQUE, CABRAMATTA
YOUNG MOSQUE
LMA & FEED THE WORLD
PROVEN CONSULTING
STARCHEM PHARMACY LAKEMBA
OPEN PATH CARE SERVICES
KHEIR LAWYERS
FETTAYLEH SMALLGOODS
OZY HOMES
PURPLE PARROT
CONDELL PARK SMASH REPAIRS
SALAAM (SPONSORSHIP TWO HOLES)
GREEN FLOW PEST MANAGEMENT
Silver Sponsors
The Tax Factor
El Khair Florist
Paragon Realty
Bronze Sponsors
GPS Guardian Property Specialists
Giant Leap Services
As a member of the LMA’s golf working committee, avid golfer Ali Bassal is one of the driving forces behind the upcoming Tournament. Mr Bassal is also a Gold sponsor of the event, being the director of Green Flow Pest Management.
The above list is up to date as at the time of publication, however, the organisers also invite any additional sponsors and individual donors who would like to support the initiative to please do so, as all contributions (which are tax deductible) are welcome and will go toward helping those in need.
The tournament itself promises an exceptional golfing experience at the picturesque Brighton Lakes Golf Course, known for its pristine greens and challenging layout.
Participants will enjoy not only the physical challenge of the sport but also its mental rewards, embracing qualities such as patience, discipline, and concentration – values aligned with the spiritual and personal growth central to the Muslim community.
With limited spots available, the LMA encourages all interested players and community members to act quickly. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of a historic day – whether as a golfer and/or a guest at the gala dinner – and contribute to Feed The World’s invaluable work.
Well known comedian Tahir Bilgiç has put considerable support behind the event. Tahir and a number of his friends will compete in the tournament while the famous Turkish Australian comic will also perform during the gala dinner in the evening.
- Adding to the excitement of both the day and night, popular Turkish Australian comedian Tahir Bilgiç will not only take to the green as a participant in the golf tournament, but will also entertain guests with special routine at the gala dinner.
“Tahir has been a massive supporter of the Golf Tournament since he learned about the initiative and we really appreciate all he is doing to help us make this event a truly memorable one,” Gamel Kheir said.
So, an event is taking over a Golf Club for one day.
All paid up 24/7365 members are banned from using the facility that they paid to use on that day. That is all non Muslim members.
How is this inclusive? how is not by nature divisive?
What about the rights of us who are not Muslim, particularly those that have $1800 PA memberships that entitle them to unhindered access?
The Golf Club in question, is by its by its nature has a commercial and social mandate, open to all patrons and guests.
Its a Golfing event, do Muslims play Golf any differently to non Muslims?
I am sick of this attitude of those that want everything, expect to have privilege over everybody else because of race, religion and culture. We are all Australians, We all have a responsibility to be tolerant, inclusive and to be Australians first and foremost.
Stop creating division and segregation.
You want to be included? Then do not set yourselves on a pedestal.
Dude. The gold club offers corporate golf events, allowing organisations to host private golf days on their 18-hole championship course. Its probably mentioned in members contracts when they signup.
This is a private event that the muslims probably paid for. Take it up with the club if you’re so annoyed that members wont be able to access the course all the time.
Alistar. I did look up membership details, it does entitle fully paid members to full 24/7/365 access, no exclusion. No problem with the event, other than it denies patrons who are non Muslim from participating. You may, or may not know, golf courses can and do host events on course at the same time paid members use the course. And yes i have written to the Golf Club.
Alister. Furthermore, why not call the charity event after the organization being supported, namely Feed The World?
It appears from the write up, the event is not only restricted to Muslim patrons, but men only.
You must be quite young as you used the word “dude” I am not anybody’s “Dude” Probably if it was a Jews or Christians only event, you would be crying from the rooftops.
i don’t care about anyone’s religion, that is a private thing. And needs to be kept as such. The headline of the article is in itself is divisive. The exclusivity of the event confirms it to be so.
Given the heightened tensions that have invaded Australia’s peaceful and inclusive society post 7th Oct 2023. And the ongoing civil unrest and disorder, vandalism near the Turkish Emabassy in Sydney being the latest. It is inclusion, tolerance and respect that is needed,
Not open segregation and division.
Mike, I appreciate your concerns and your commitment to inclusivity, but I believe there are some misunderstandings about this event that need addressing. I hope to clarify those and explain why this event, while tailored to Muslim participants, is not divisive but rather reflects a thoughtful accommodation of Muslims’ cultural and religious practices.
First, the golf course is not being closed entirely to non-Muslims for the day. The event starts at 1:30 PM, meaning that members/players can use the course in the morning, as per the flexibility arranged with the club. This timeline ensures minimal disruption for other members. Additionally, the golf club’s Annual General Meeting is also scheduled for that afternoon, so the members would not be on the course at that time anyway. The club has bent over backwards to help the organisers while not inconvenience other golfers and indeed officials have indicated to us that it the AGM date would probably be the only day of the year that this would work.
Now, let me explain why this event is designed specifically for Muslims:
1. Prayer Considerations: The decision to start at 1:30 PM was made so that participants could perform the Dhuhur (midday) prayer before the tournament begins. Scheduling the event this way ensures that participants can observe their faith without inconvenience. This is a unique requirement not usually factored into other tournaments.
2. Alcohol-Free Environment: Many golf clubs allow alcohol on the course. This event specifically requests an alcohol-free environment, aligning with Islamic principles.
3. Inclusivity for Women: Although the tournament is for men only, the accompanying community gala dinner is open to both men and women. How many golf tournaments anywhere are mixed, anyway?
4. Charitable Focus: The name of this event is the LMA/Feed The World Golf Tournament. “Australia’s first ever Muslim Golf Tournament” is a factual description used as a newspaper headline. The event is about supporting the Feed The World initiative. Highlighting the charitable aspect of this tournament aligns with Islamic principles of giving and community care, a value that transcends religious boundaries.
Importantly, this is not about exclusion or creating division, but about creating a space where Muslim golfers (who already face limited opportunities to participate in tournaments aligned with their values, if there are any at all) can enjoy the sport while maintaining their religious practices.
It’s worth noting that many other tournaments around the world cater to specific demographics or interests without being seen as divisive. Think of women-only tournaments, veteran-focused events, or charity-based games….they each serve unique communities while still respecting broader inclusivity.
As you rightly pointed out, we all share a responsibility to promote tolerance and inclusion. Events like these are part of that effort. For example, the National Mosque Open Day, which the same organisation (LMA) inaugurated a decade ago and which coincidentally is being held today, welcomes non-Muslims to visit mosques, learn about Islam and build bridges of understanding.
Finally, let me address your comparison with hypothetical exclusive events for other faiths. If any other religion came up with a a similar event tailored to their religious needs, I have no doubt that the Muslim community would respect and support their right to do so. Inclusivity doesn’t mean every event must cater to everyone, but that every group should have the space to express themselves and celebrate their culture while respecting others.
This tournament is a celebration of sport, community, and charity. It is not about creating division – it’s about creating understanding. I hope you’ll see this event for what it is: a positive, respectful and meaningful occasion.