Essendon Fields and Air Adventure, with the help of airline partner Sharp Airlines, has just successfully completed the seventh Essendon Fields Golf Classic on King Island, an event now eagerly anticipated by golf lovers each year to raise much needed funds for Make-A-Wish Australia.

The 2024 Essendon Fields Golf Classic raised $32,343, taking the total amount raised over seven years to more than $165k.

More than 84 golfers were treated to two of the best golf courses in the world on King Island over a weekend of fun, fantastic food and important fundraising for a great cause, which gifts critically ill children their special wishes.

This year’s event took place over the weekend of 10 – 11 February. Players enjoyed King Island’s well-known Ocean Dunes course on Saturday, followed by 18 holes at the famous Cape Wickham course on Sunday. Steve Bowtell won the 2024 event with 77 points across the two days, his third time taking home the crown. Andrew Grasby from Essendon Fields award winning landscapers, Green By Nature, had the best round of his life on Sunday with 48 points secured for the day.

Make-A-Wish Australia CEO Sally Bateman said she was delighted to hear about the continued success of the Essendon Fields Golf Classic in King Island.

“I’d like to thank Essendon Fields and Air Adventure, and all the participants for their support in helping to grant life-changing wishes for critically ill children across the country,” she said.

“It’s annual fundraising events like the Essendon Fields Golf Classic that help Make-A-Wish Australia on our mission to grant the wish of every eligible child.”

“The Essendon Fields King Island Golf Classic is one of the best events of the year that we help organise,” said Air Adventure’s Jon Perrett.

“Air Adventure are proud of the regular golf tours that we organise to Tasmania’s world class golf courses directly from Essendon Fields Airport. King Island’s Ocean Dunes and Cape Wickham are two of the most spectacular courses on the planet, but the fact that we’re raising money that will go towards putting a smile on the face of critically ill children and their families makes this event extra special. We’re proud to be involved,” he said.

Imperative to this event is also airline partner Sharp Airlines, who operate both flights and ground handling. The team ensured guests were welcomed at Essendon Fields Airport, escorted onto the Metroliner aircraft for the short 40-minute flight to King Island, met upon arrival, and supported right back to Essendon Fields Airport at the end of the weekend.

Sharp Airlines CEO Alistair Dorward said that the Sharp Airlines team are proud to support the EF King Island Golf Classic and Make A Wish Australia, in conjunction with John and the team at Air Adventure.

“The ongoing success of this annual charity event shows us what a great concept it is to combine some of the world’s best golf courses, that are just a short flight from Essendon Fields, with a group of kind-hearted people committed to helping a great cause,’’ said Brendan Pihan, CEO Essendon Fields.

“When we launched this event more than seven years ago we could not have imagined what an impact it would have on helping improve the lives of sick and seriously ill children and their families. I would like to pay tribute to the work that Make-A-Wish Australia does in communities across the country and I thank all the sponsors and participants for helping make the Essendon Fields Golf Classic such a success in 2024,’’ he finished.

The 2025 Essendon Fields King Island Classic will take place 22-23 March 2025. To secure your place please contact Air Adventure on 1800 033 160 or visit the website.