Wentworth Falls Country Club is opening-up conversations about sun safety, as the club takes part in Cancer Council NSW’s Improve Your Long Game program.
The program, aimed at men aged 40 years and over, encourages sun protective behaviours by offering free sunscreen pump dispensers at designated points along the course as well as information resources on how to reduce skin cancer risk displayed around the clubhouse.
The club wants to prevent the increasing incidence of sun damage that can potentially cause devastating results to male and female members and their families.
Although the Mountains is a region known for its moderate and often cool temperatures, recent summer months have registered soaring temperatures and searing heat, worsening the exposure to severe sun intensity. Even in the cooler months the sun’s rays are still quite penetrating in the Mountains.
Members have taken to the program at Wentworth Falls Country Club and appreciate the complimentary sunscreen on the course. Many have said the sunscreen dispenser on the 11th tee was a reminder to reapply sunscreen after two hours.
In NSW, men’s risk of skin cancer increases from the age of 40, men over this age are more than one-and-a-half times more likely to be diagnosed with melanoma and more than twice as likely to die from it as women of similar age.
“Recreational golfers spend extended periods outdoors in an environment that is highly reflective of UV radiation water and with minimal shade ...putting them at a high risk of sunburn, skin damage and skin cancer,” said Natalia Atcha from Cancer Council.
“Getting into the habit of wearing sunscreen, a broad brimmed hat, long sleeved clothing and sunglasses, no matter what your age can lower your lifetime risk of developing skin cancer,”
The Improve Your Long Game program began in 2015 and is co-funded by Cancer Council NSW and Cancer Institute NSW.