Eagles raise tidy nest egg for tournament costs

JULIA WADE

Young Kiwi golfers will be teeing-off at Mangawhai’s greens next year at a large event which could set them along a professional course, and competitors have just received a helping hand from the areas locals.

The Eagles Golfing Society of Northland and Mangawhai Golf Club are hosting The Eagles Under-17 Golf Championship in October 2022, with 60 budding Lydia Ko’s and Tiger Woods’ already signed up to compete from all over the country.

At the ITM Mangawhai Golf Tournament on June 6, a wheelbarrow loaded with local product and items was raffled off to help pay for competitor accommodation, catering and travel expenses.

The tournament is significant as it can be an important stepping stone for young golfing athletes, with many becoming professional players leading on from the competition.

Northland Eagles committee member and former president, Paul Alexander, says the response from Mangawhai businesses was ‘absolutely awesome’.

“With local involvement, the wheelbarrow raffle was started and grew in value to over $1600! Tickets were sold to various golfing groups, club members, visitors and locals… the support was unbelievable and raised a massive amount of money, $2170. Cannot thank the local businesses that supported us enough.”

First established in 1964, The Eagles Golfing Society of NZ is a charitable society with 15 chapters nationwide, actively promoting junior golf and supporting disabled athletes through being involved with the Halberg Disability Sports Foundation.

Drawn by ITM sponsor Rob Cook, first place ‘winner-take-all including the wheelbarrow’ was won by Christine and Bill Bygrave, with three consolation prizes to Tony Morris, Jenny Wilson and Sheila Gough.

Big thanks to all the generous local sponsors: Mangawhai ITM, Mike Pero, Village Wines, Bammas, Mangawhai Tyres, Heads and Village Four Square, Harcourts, Home & Hobbies, Mangawhai Small Engines, Inspire By Design, Wood St Pizzeria, Mangawhai Books & Gifts, Placemakers, BK’s Sushi, Heads for Hair, Jackson Brown, Mangawhai Heads garage, Top Catch, Mangawhai Pharmacy, Sandbar, Bennetts, No Limits, Diane Elizabeth, Mangawhai Meat Shop, Latinz Cafe and Mangawhai Golf Club.

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First place ‘winner take all wheelbarrow’ winners, Christine and Bill Bygrave. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

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Former Northland Eagles Society president Paul Alexander (left) and Mangawhai ITM manager Rob Cook thought the contribution by a long list of Mangawhai businesses was ‘absolutely awesome’. PHOTO/SUPPLIED