Golf balls rain down for big fundraiser

A crowd gathered to watch as Palm Beach Rotarians Rick Dawson and Kevin McDonnell were hoisted into the sky to dump several hundred golf balls on Charlie Gust's Ennis Avenue putting course on Sunday morning for the Golf Ball Raffle.

Ticket sales for the raffle raised more than $25,000, which will be split between the Secret Harbour Surf Life Saving Club, Hillman Cricket Club and Rockingham Police and Citizens Youth Club.

Palm Beach Rotary Club member Rae Heston said a cherry picker sent the Rotarians high into the sky to find a winner. "It was surprising how many balls landed close to the pin after falling about 10m," she said.

"Official measurer John Gorbold used bowls callipers when a couple of the balls were too close to the pin to be separated by the measuring tape.

"The winner of the $5000 first prize was Rose Sertorini and her ticket was sold by the Secret Harbour Surf Life Saving Club."

A second prize of $1500 went to Cheryl Petrik, who bought her ticket from Rotarian Kevin McDonnell, and the winner of the $500 third prize was Rachel Thewnissen, who bought her ticket at the gate on Sunday morning.