Lydia Ko Files: She Funds Volunteer Parties, Too!

Thanks to reader Michael for one final note on Lydia Ko's impressive Australian Women's Open win last weekend.

From the keyboard of Mark Hayes, a confirmed report by Royal Melbourne chief Paul Rak of a professional golfer acknowledging volunteers. Shocking stuff indeed:

Ko wandered up the clubhouse stairs to make her last brief scheduled stop at the champion’s cocktail party, then quietly slipped an envelope containing $500 into the hands of assistant GM Andrea Watson to kickstart the staff’s “after-party”.

It was the New Zealander’s way of saying thanks to all those who almost anonymously helped make her triumph so memorable on one of her favourite courses.

But Rak said it was the ultimate in class acts.

“I’ve worked in the golf industry for 40 years and I’ve never heard of anything like that – especially from a 17-year-old,” he said.