Twenty-seven teams, each paired with a renowned sportsperson, marked the first Halberg Invitational, held at Royal Auckland & Grange Golf Club on September 21.
Bringing together businesses, Halberg partners, New Zealand sports personalities and supporters, the inaugural event raised approximately $100,000 to help the Halberg Foundation reach more young people with disabilities and support events delivered across the regions.
The presence of sporting celebrities including Eric Murray, Jesse Hodges, Stephen Donald, Carlos Spencer and David Liti added some extra excitement to the day, with teams having the opportunity to spend time with them both on and off the course.
On the course, CityFitness Simplicity took the honours, with Norman Carson, Mark Hurdle, Dave Vonder, Sam Griffin and Sam Cosgrove recording the day’s best handicap-adjusted Ambrose score of 48. The Gyrating Generators, featuring Matthew Hanchet, John Bell, Russell Thompson, Harry Ferreira and Mahe Drysdale, finished second on 50, while PGS Leg-Ends, made up of Justin Cheyne, Derek Young, Brad Iles, Nick Gillespie and Steve Holloway, finished third on 51.
But the value of the day extended well beyond the leaderboard. Golf provided a natural setting for businesses to spend time together, build relationships and support a cause at the same time. For some, it strengthened existing partnerships with Halberg; for others, it provided an opportunity to make new connections.
CityFitness was represented by two teams, including an all-women’s team. Director of Marketing and Communications Gertie Tevitia says the event was a chance to build on the organisation’s relationship with Halberg through the Sir Murray Legacy Award.
“Extending the partnership to support the work through such an event has been wonderful,” she says. “We want to step up more for causes we believe in, for communities we support, to help them thrive.”
For Wish4Fish Charitable Trust, the Invitational provided another way to support Halberg while developing its relationship with the Foundation.
“The Halberg Invitational was a very well organised event that brought great synergy,” says Bryce Dinneen. “For Wish4Fish to be able to support Halberg Foundation through this golf tournament to raise funds has been a fulfilling experience.”
A range of on-course experiences added to the atmosphere throughout the day. Organisations including Wish4Fish hosted tee box activations, giving teams the chance to engage with supporters while enjoying some friendly competition. Players could purchase a drive from one of New Zealand’s leading long drivers, test their knowledge on a quiz hole, take on a one-putt challenge, or have a shot at winning a diamond bracelet through the hole-in-one challenge.
The fundraising continued off the course, with a raffle and an auction supporting Halberg. Former New Zealand professional golf caddie Steve Williams also joined the event as a speaker and sold copies of his latest book, Together We Roared, with a percentage of proceeds going to Halberg.
“The first Halberg Invitational has shown what can happen when you bring business, golf and purpose together,” says Halberg Foundation Chief Executive Tom Smith. “We’ve seen partnerships grow, new relationships develop and people come together to support opportunities for young people with disabilities. We’re looking forward to building on that.”
For Generate, the excitement to return with a team next year is already there.
“The Halberg Invitational was successful on so many levels and for us at Generate we would love to be involved again,” says Matthew Hanchet.
And for rower Joe Sullivan, who has a long-standing partnership with Halberg, the inaugural event is one worth putting in the calendar again.
“I have had a long partnership with Halberg and know the work they do. To see them create great opportunities for Kiwi kids with disabilities is fantastic,” he says.
The first Invitational has set the benchmark. The next one will be about building on the connections, partnerships and impact created on the course.
