13k from Golfing for Gabrielle fundraiser

JULIA WADE

13 Mar, 2023

Local golfers came together recently to chip in for victims of Cyclone Gabrielle, donating goods, services and mementos, and achieved a hole-in-one of a generous score.

Mangawhai Golf Club’s [MGC] fundraiser ‘Golfing for Gabrielle’ on March 5, raised vital cash for those caught up in the devastation of the horrendous cyclone, and between a tournament, silent auction and raffles, members raised an incredible $13,000.

MGC chair Peter Beaven says he thought the club ‘did pretty well’, and proceeds will be split 50/50 between Red Cross and a special fund which cyclone-affected golf clubs can apply to for restoration support.

“I’m originally from Hawkes Bay and for the clubs in Napier it’s probably going to be a year before they can play again as the grounds and clubrooms are covered with silt,” says Peter. “You have to see it to believe it, it’s quite a serious thing to happen to a course, just awful.”

Club members offered items up for auction including golf club sets, paintings and classic car jaunts complete with lunch and bubbles. Also up for grabs were golf balls signed by Lydia Ko from her visit on the club’s open day and an All Black jersey from Beauden Barrett who is a MGC member.

Encouraged by NZ Golf, Peter hopes many other clubs around the country ‘will heed the call and pitch in’.

“The Napier Golf Club has half a metre of silt right through their course, it’s just horrible, they’ll lose all their grass on the fairway and the greens, there’ll also be dozens of clubs up the east coast and in Auckland who have been affected,” Peter says. “It’s a really good way to do fundraising and some money also goes to the community, the fraternity of Mangawhai golfers put their hands in their pocket and collectively returned a great result.”

1: Napier Golf Club inundated with half a metre of silt after Cyclone Gabrielle rampaged through Hawkes Bay. PHOTOS/SUPPLIED

2: A trip out in a classic car with lunch and champagne was up for grabs at the auction.

3: Top image) Lowest auction placegetters didn’t miss out, instead they received a free lesson with professional golfer Mike Reid, pictured second from left.

4: Local golfers gave generously to the silent auction fundraiser including art and sport items.