The sleepy rural Queensland town of Proston is preparing to welcome an influx of tourists, but they’ll be packing extra light for the trip.
A bi-annual golf tournament will see competitors bare all to raise money for the country club and the South Burnett town.
“It’s just for people to come and enjoy life,” club member Joy Horne says.
There’s no risk of arrest for wilful exposure, so long as – ahem – members don’t go near the closest road to safeguard passing motorists from seeing too much of an eyeful.
“It doesn’t matter if you have got clothes on or no clothes on, if they want to wear clothes they still can, as long as they don’t mind us,” Ms Horne says.
Less than 400 people live in Proston, but it swells by 10 per cent twice a year with the arrival of the naked golfers.
This time of year purple blooms of jacarandas greet them as they drive down the main street past blokes in cowboy hats sitting out on the verandah of the local pub.
The golf course was struggling to stay open when a visitor came up with a creative idea to help keep it afloat in 2013.
Gordon and Joy Horne have been passionate members of the Proston District Golf Course since 2004. They’re so passionate they got hitched on the green.
“I’ve always looked at Proston as a tourist attraction and this is just one way of getting people here,” Mr Horne says.
“The whole thing is it makes money for the club and brings people to town, which helps support the town.”
The Home of Wandering Bares Cup has become so popular it’s now held twice a year and attracts uninhibited golfers from across Australia.
For Joy Horne, it’s not just about raising money, but also about promoting body confidence, freedom and challenging perceptions of rural towns.
“What it’s all about to me is the gathering of people with like minds,” she says.
Curious questions on naked golf
The Proston residents and local police are generally supportive of the naked golf event.
The fairway that abuts the road, however, is “not for nudists” out of respect to those driving by.
Ms Horne receives some curious questions about teeing off in the nude.
“The same way you play golf when you have got clothes on,” she says.
“There is no difference, you still have shoes and socks, if you use a glove you’ve got a glove, you’ve got a hat.
“Sunscreen and obviously you are not going to be stupid, if it gets too hot, you put a shirt on or something.”
The Home of Wandering Bares Cup will be held on October 30, with free camping for those who attend.
No doubt there’s plenty of room in the winner’s suitcase to take home their trophy.
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