I’ve always believed that a well-placed 7-iron says a lot about a person. On 18 November 2024, I got the chance to test that theory at the Consulting Surveyors Victoria Golf Day at Yarra Yarra Golf Club—and while I won’t be going pro anytime soon, I can confidently say the company was first-class.
I teamed up with Garry Hart and Mark Stansfield, and between the three of us, we managed a decent balance of birdies, banter, and (occasional) brilliance. Mark did most of the heavy lifting score-wise, and Garry delivered his usual calm, steady presence—although his short game might have earned a few eye-rolls.
As Garry put it: “It’s not about the swing—it’s about who you’re swinging next to.”
Russell Locke gets credit for dragging us into this as sponsors, and I’m glad he did. Events like these are less about promotion and more about presence. When surveyors, consultants, and industry peers get together outside the office, the conversations tend to go deeper—and last longer.
A special shoutout to Michael Degg for hosting the day seamlessly, and to Vlad Bunyevich, whose dual skills behind the lens and on the green continue to impress. If you haven’t already, check out Vlad’s official highlight reel from the day:
There’s something unique about spending time with industry peers away from emails and meetings. On the golf course, you see another side of people—how they handle pressure, how they talk through challenges, and how competitive they get when a prize is on the line.
In a world where recruitment, delivery, and client deadlines often dominate our calendars, it’s refreshing to take a day out and reconnect. No pitches, no slide decks—just shared laughs, new introductions, and a reminder of how strong our community is.
To everyone who made it a memorable day—thank you. And to those thinking of picking up a club next time: don’t worry about your handicap. If you can hold a conversation, you’ll fit right in.
Looking forward to doing it all again next year (with hopefully fewer sand traps on my end).
Written By: Alan Pratt, Associate Director
Alan is one of our Associate Directors, he has recruited for infrastructure, civil, environmental, building services – and anything else related to the engineering sector – for more than a decade.
Connect with Alan on Linkedin
Contact: 0406 964 976, alan.pratt@plannedresources.com.au