Master fundraiser does it again

 

Mangawhai Golf Club ambassador Mike ‘Howdo’ Howard was tempted out of ‘retirement’ to do another fundraiser for the club and the community, running an open tournament on Sunday February 10 followed by the usual entertaining auction.

“This has given me a huge amount of pleasure,” says Howdo. “When I spread the word in November I had sold out to a maximum field in nine days, three months before the event. I still have people on the waiting list and am still receiving enquiry about  entry.”

Credit must be given to Howdo’s salesmanship but also the popularity of Mangawhai in general, and the high rating and countrywide reputation of the Mangawhai course makes events like this very popular. Over 75 per cent of players will come from outside Mangawhai area, from as far away as North Canterbury, Hamilton, Bay of Plenty, Wellington, Rodney and Auckland, and a couple from USA making a total field of around 136 players.

Howdo believes this may be his best ever prize and auction pool with some special auction lots coming from high-flying resort clubs who, he says, were only too happy to support the club. Funds raised are primarily for Mangawhai Golf Club. A new and vibrant Junior programme now has 40-50 youngsters keen to learn the great game with an equally great group of  volunteers willing to support them, so new equipment is vital to ensure the club can sustain what is already one of the more successful junior programmes in the country. There are also a number of projects requiring work around the clubhouse that can do with assistance plus a group of potential future leaders from Otamatea College requiring some funding support to achieve their goals of attaining the exhausting Duke of Edinburgh Award.

“We have a prize table of in excess of $10,000 – reputed to be one of the very biggest in Northland – and an amazing auction item list thanks to sponsors and prize supporters,” says Howdo, but emphasises that members of the golf club (not entered into the event) and the wider community are welcome to attend the auction which will happen from about 3.30pm on the Sunday.

Main auction items include:
 Round for four at Tara iti hosted by Gavin Hunt of Signature Homes.
 Memorabilia piece featuring the 2018 US Open (consecutive event) winner Brooks Koepka. Absolute worldwide one off.
 Golfing relaxation in New Zealand’s number one resort, Millbrook. Three night’s accommodation for two with games at Millbrook and Jack’s Point (with carts).
 Week for four at luxury timeshare accommodation in any of the following: Hawaii, Bali, Singapore or Australia.
 Memorabilia piece; Ryan Fox’s signed flag, ball and glove from The Open 2018.
More exciting options to come.