Heartland rural golf club raises $21,000 for cancer society at charity tournament

By Scott Cordes, Golf New Zealand public relations & communications manager

Golfers from across the mid-Northland region turned out in their droves to support Hikurangi Golf Club’s annual Daffodil Day tournament recently — raising $21,000 for the New Zealand Cancer Society in the process.

Caption: The cart crew, from left: Mike Glavish, Darrell Hamilton, Brittany Glavish, and Jordan Robinson, who play out of the Northland Golf Club.

A packed field of some 144 golfers took part in the fund-raising 18-hole event, now in its 19th year, which has raised a stunning $293,056 for the Northland branch of the New Zealand Cancer Society over its history.

Golfing foursome teams came from across the mid-Northland area to participate in the fun-filled tournament, including handy fairway hitters from the northern Wairoa, Northland, Paparoa, Waiotira, Ngunguru, Whangaroa and The Pines golf clubs, all joined by a strong contingent from the home club.

Caption:Enjoying the whisky tasting stop during the day - Northland golfing community personalities, from left: Cory Hitchen, Kyle Kisson, and David Mullan.

Hikurangi Golf Club president Felice Croft said she was amazed at the support from the region’s golfing community, and by the dozens of local companies, along with club members who contributed a huge array of prizes, and took part in the fairway fun. The winning team, whose prize was a fishing/diving day trip from Tutukaka, comprised avid Northland golfers Bernie Reti, Will Noah, Nic Bean, and Myles Ferris.

Said Croft: “It’s really heartening to see such fantastic support from the region’s golfing community for an event organised by volunteers at a heartland New Zealand golf club run by volunteers who are so passionate about the course and their local community.

“Not only is the tournament a great day out on the course with friends, but it’s also helping fund an important charity to continue its research, treatment, and support work within Northland. The Daffodil Day tournament really unites the spirits of our members, and shows what a little ole’ country golf club can achieve.

Caption: The boys from Waiotira Golf Club enjoying a day out in the sunthine, from left: Stu Jessop, Paul McDowell, Grant Woolhouse, and John Munn.

“We’re incredibly proud of what we have done -- this year, and in fact every year -- and we’ll be doing it all again next year.”

In addition to generating proceeds through participation fees, other fundraising activities held on the course during the day’s play ranged from traditional sausage sizzles and a chipping competition, through to whisky tasting.

The tournament was organised by dedicated Hikurangi Golf Club member Michelle Boyce-Bacon who joined the club two years ago after participating in a She Loves Golf programme specifically designed to encourage novice women golfers into the game.