Golf charity event for one-punch victim Danny Hodgson still on the hunt for sponsors ahead of December tee-off

A charity golf day for one-punch victim Danny Hodgson is still looking for businesses to sponsor holes as the event enters its third year.

The talented local soccer player was struck in a cowardly attack outside Perth train station in 2021 which left him clinging to life and now with a life-long disability.

An annual charity golf event to raise money to support Danny — the Teeing Up for Danny Golf Day — will once again be held at Joondalup Resort on December 9 from 10.30am to 7.30pm.

The 18-hole event will be played in an ambrose style in teams of four, with team members supporting each other for the best possible score while competing for prizes.

There are plenty of spaces for teams and sponsors left to fill.

Danny said participants and sponsors did not need to have any connection to him, just a special reason to gather a group of friends for a day on the green.

“When I was in hospital and the event was first organised, it was purely for fundraising to raise money for my rehabilitation costs and day-to-day living because obviously since the attack I haven’t been able to work and me and (partner) Jess rely on Centrelink now,” he said.

“Since then it’s actually opened my eyes that it’s a chance for four mates to come together and create a day of memories.

“Since my story’s been so big over the past three years, it has hit the hearts of many people. It’s just a good way for people to come together and have a good day.”

Up to 224 players can take part in the event in teams of four, equating to 54 teams.

The sponsorship price for a hole is $3260, which includes a team of four to enter.

Danny said there were still plenty of the 27 holes available for sponsorship.

He said the hole-in-one competition was one of the highlights of the day, with a successful shot on the hole winning that person a brand-new car.

Danny said he would position himself next to the hole in the hope of seeing a winner.

The ex-NPLWA top goalscorer for ECU Joondalup, now Redstar FC, said he and his family were still coming to terms with the reality of his new life every day and hoped the event continued to have more of an emphasis on creating memories with friends rather than a charity day.

“If I’ve learnt one thing, and a lot of my family and friends have learned it, is that tomorrow is not guaranteed,” he said.

“For the person you are today, you never know what is going to happen.

“Playing golf or doing something with your friends, it might be the last time you get to experience and pleasure of doing that with anything.

“When I played my last ever football game or scored my last goal, I didn’t know that it would be my last ever.”

The day includes pre-game food, 18 holes of golf with a twin-share buggy and a post-game function. Prizes will be awarded for the lowest score, longest drive, closest to the pin, hole-in-one prize and more.

The event is also sponsored by Danny Green’s Stop The Coward Punch Campaign.

Participants can book a place through trybooking.com/CQAAE or sponsor a hole via trybooking.com/CPZYZ.

More information can also be found on the Teeing up for Danny 2024 Facebook event or at joondalupresort.com.au.