Howdo’s last hurrah

 

Presidents Day at Mangawhai Golf Club has always been a biggie but this latest one was possibly the biggest as, despite the dodgy weather forecast, 117 tenacious golfers from 23 clubs turned up and almost avoided the showers except those who got caught on the last three holes.

As testament to the popularity of Mangawhai, over 60 percent of the players were visitors including six from North Canterbury, four from Wellington, and two from Waikato – all keen to understand more about the great course and the community.

Golf, however, was but a part of the deal. The day is a ‘special’ for the president to raise funds, partially for the golf club and a local enterprise, this year being the Mangawhai Cadet Troop.

“A very big day,” said orgainser Mike Howard, who had used all his guile to amass an amazing line-up of prizes and auction items which were keenly sought after.

Believed to be the biggest prize table north of the Bombays ($12,500 value) it was quickly devoured by the successful winners with over 48 people winning prizes on the day.

“I have to say it was my best ever auction table,” adds Howdo “with a Lydia Ko framed photo, golf glove and ball successfully bid by Craig Matheson to match the one he has already provided to the golf club and which will form part of the Lydia entrance-way into the clubhouse – hugely unique with two totally bespoke acknowledgements of Lydia Ko’s achievements in our golf club.”

The major auction item was a golfing trip for four to Thailand courtesy of Howdo’s first ever major sponsor, Tourism Thailand, including eight days accommodation and five rounds of golf at prestigious courses around Hua Hin, south of Bangkok.

The ‘winner’ was Debbie Ogilvy, who bought it to celebrate her husband’s 60th birthday along with two good friends and all members of Mangawhai Club.

Other auction items included a Richie McCaw signed 2015 All Blacks shirt, accommodation and 3 rounds of golf in Queenstown for a week, 2015 Black Caps signed cricket bat and a 50-inch Panasonic Smart TV.

Golf winners on the day were, Mens Division 1, Alex Sharp on 43 points who also won the Steve Saunders Memorial Trophy.

Steve died while playing the event in 2009 and Alex was one of his golfing mates at North Shore.

Mangawhai member Courtenay Kenny won Mens Division 2.

Sue Robertson won the Women’s Division.

Overall the event raised just over $30,000 for Mangawhai Cadets and the Mangawhai Golf Club course development fund which will support the start of a great plan to fine tune the course.

This all means Howdo has raised just short of $200,000 in the 11 events he has run since 2002 when the amount raised was $1,000 for a Mangawhai Beach School trip to the World Ecological Awards in Kentucky, USA.

“It’s a club affair,” adds Howdo “and we had fabulous support from Larry Renner and the course team, Nick Launder in the golf shop, all the bar staff and of course Lisa and team in

the kitchen who catered a full meal for over 144 people – and thanks to the goodwill, it all went off without a hitch.”

However, Howdo insists this was his last hurrah!

BIG DAY: Celebrating a hugely successful presidents cup is, from left, Mike Howard, womens winner Sue Robertson, mens division one winner Alex Sharp, Marieanne Ouwehand from Tourism Thailand, and mens division two winner Courtenay Kenny. PHOTO/Supplied

- by Rob Pooley