In the realm of competitive sport, Tamworth has long held a proud tradition of producing quality athletes.
Fully grown men built like pickup trucks, populate all codes of football, while the number of women playing union, league, soccer, and AFL has only increased over the years.
The standard of cricket likewise attracts players from out of town and occasionally, overseas.
And the pedigree of hockey is nothing to be sniffed at either, with Alice Arnott becoming the latest in a decorated line of players to don the green and gold at Olympic level.
Put simply, if you want a competitive sport in Tamworth – you’ll find it.
But what about those who just want to dial it back just a notch or two?
For Dylan May, a teacher at Oxley High School, the answer is simple: twilight golf.
Twilight golf is the social arm that Tamworth Golf Club has to offer, running throughout daylight saving and catering for all ability levels.
The competition currently has over 500 people playing in teams, many attracted by cheaper green fees.
Unlike GOLF Link fixtures, players are not required to play off a handicap.
“We started in the comp four years ago, pretty much because we’re busy, but we all have that competitive edge for playing team sports.” said May.
The “we” he refers to is a band of colleagues from across town, affectionately referring to each other and themselves as the Chubbs Petersons, after Happy Gilmore’s iconic mentor.
The Chubbs is a way for local teachers to connect and unwind with some low stress fun.
What started as seven mates has grown to now include teachers from Oxley High School, Tamworth High School, Farrer, and Calrossy, who all share the same spirit – an itch to be on the green and have a laugh.
“We had one silly shirt”, May continues, “to now we are having multiple shirts, hats and merchandise. I think we have 35 – 40 registered players at the moment and an all-girls team at the moment too. It’s just getting bigger and better.”
The season is bookended by a function to nominate leadership for the year (currently in the hands of Tom Grills), and a closing function to celebrate the year.
Nelson “Binney”, a former president of the Chubbs organization and a teacher at Oxley, discussed the growth and impact of the Chubs initiative.
“I’m a teacher at Oxley, which is where the majority of the Chubbs are from. They took me in when I first moved here. Knew no one.”
“It was just a nice way to bond and get to meet the local guys around here and meet new people.”
Binney laughs and remarks, “We had one guy move down to Wagga, so he’s taken the torch and started our “southern division” of Chubbs down there!”
Binney says its a good way to stay healthy, get out for a walk, but keep it more exciting than your average stroll,
“There are nearly 50 teams in the twilight comp here. They take the best six points from the players in each team for the week.”
The top six teams at the end of the comp then go into a playoff.
“Last year we came 10th. This year, we would really like to make it into the playoff.”
With increasing player numbers behind them and a track record of promoting a positive environment, the sky’s the limit for the Chubbs Petersons.
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