A par-3 competition at Kaiapoi Golf Club, inspired by the Masters Tournament at Augusta, successfully raised $2,000 for Hato Hone St John.
The event, which served as a fundraiser for the ambulance and healthcare services charity, offered a unique experience for club members. It was organized by club president Jack Oldridge.
Following the par-3 contest, a novelty par-3 shootout added an extra layer of fun to the day. The competition featured three men’s teams and one women’s team.
Di Smith claimed victory in the women’s par-3 contest with a score of 61, while Tui Samau dominated the men’s senior section with an impressive score of 52, finishing below par.
As reported in the Star News, club captain Sean Regan noted that 72 players participated in the event, with each team of four rotating across the 18 fairways.
“Red markers were placed on all fairways between 80 and 140m from each green.
“They were not all placed in easy spots.
“One had a large water hazard in front of it, two were placed in the rough, and the tee-off for the 18th green was placed on the tee block of the second green.
“The eighteen-hole game was followed by a shootout on number 18.”
The idea for the fun-filled shootout came from Mario Trnjanin.
“He borrowed the idea from the Phoenix Open tournament where spectators on one par-3 break all of the rules of golf.
“Where silence and respect are the norm, they make as much noise as they can supporting or upsetting the players teeing off.
“We had a lot of noise, umms and ahs around the 18,” Sean said.
The club’s main sponsor for the day was Kaiapoi Kats Tyres, with The Stirling Retirement Village, which provided a barbecue at the ninth green, and Kaiapoi New World.
The club’s players also supported the event.
