Each year the Moolarben Coal Celebrity Golf Classic continues to impress and this year was no different.

Despite the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic resulting in some big ticket auction items having to be refunded, Pioneer House, Lifeskills Plus and Kannadah each received a commendable cheque for $8,000.

"It's terrific, every dollar goes a long way and I think the value we add to it is usually three times, it's been surreal to have this support," Owen Rogers, CEO of Lifeskills Plus Mudgee, said.

"How the money is spent will be a group decision. Once we get an outcome, we will let people know through Facebook."

"We had a bit of a board meeting the other day about how we would love these funds to be spent, they will be going directly to the benefit of the residents," Michele Mini, Finance Manager at Kannandah, said.

"We've got two different ideas, one is doing our memory support area and another on a very prominent space that we could refurbish with some lovely new furniture.

"It was a lovely surprise to get the call, we certainly hope that we might be in the running for future years."

"Look, $8,000 is a huge injection of funds for the residence. I just want to say a huge thank you to Moolarben Coal and the Celebrity Golf Classic, it's a wonderful event" Dean Saxby, General Manager at Pioneer House, said.

"I think the money will go directly to lifestyle and activities, and the residents will certainly direct how those funds are spent."

With their focus heavily based on encouraging the Mudgee and surrounding communities to thrive, the Classic is just one of the many ways Moolarben Coal can continue to make a difference.

"The celebrity golf classic provides a much needed and huge boost to local community groups, therefore we are proud to sponsor the day," Graham Chase, Moolarben Coal Environment and Community Manager, said.

Event founder, Peter Mayson says it's always pleasing to hand over cheques to community groups because at the end of the day, 'that's what it's all about'.

"To hand out the checks at the end of it is what it's all about. We handed out cheques for $24,000 and also other smaller checks that are handed out to the Masonic Lodge, to the Men's Shed and Mudgee Junior Golf so all up just short of $30,000 in a COVID year," he said.