Tournament winners, the Gin Swingers, each scored a $180 New World voucher prize. From left, Andy Gentry, Sue Vos, Ray Crocker, Annie Gentry, Nicky Crocker and Dave Vos, with sponsor, Barker and Associates’ Alisa Neal and Friends of Mangawhai Community Park chair Mary-Anne Boyd
The local golf greens became the scene of a lively competition on May 4, with around 150 enthusiastic golfers raising $20,000 for the Mangawhai Community Park.
The golfers, who displayed a range of skills and techniques, teed off for a six-hour event, which was followed by a fast-paced, and sometime raucous, auction and prizegiving, led by Mangawhai Activity Zone committee member John Phillis. A range of goods were auctioned, donated by Mangawhai businesses and individuals, including a major prize of seven nights accommodation in Fiji.
Organised by Friends of Mangawhai Community Park chair Mary-Anne Boyd and Mangawhai Golf Club board member Ray Snooks, the money raised will be spent on maintenance, development and conservation challenges at the park, including noxious weed control and track development.
Boyd said they were thrilled with the day and the “generous spirit of all participants.”
“The park makes a substantial contribution to the well-being and mental health of this entire community by providing many different activities for social connection, physical exercise and volunteering opportunities,” she said.
“We are pleased that more people are becoming aware that it is an inclusive large area with activities and spaces for all age groups, offering play, recreation, sport, walks, nature, culture and history.”
The park encompasses the Mangawhai Activity Zone, the Historic Village and emergency services.
“All 18 holes were sold to sponsors, which was amazing,” Snooks said. “There were a lot of volunteers involved in the organising, so thank you to everyone who helped us out and supported this good cause. The money raised will make a positive difference.”
Mangawhai Community Park thanked major sponsors B&A Urban Planning/Design and Landscape Architecture, Maven Engineering, Survey & Land Development, as well as hole sponsors – Downer, BrookeLane Vineyard, Avo Guy, CDS NZ, Hancocks, Allan Plumbing and Gas, Smales Farm, Artesian Water Mangawhai, Kauri Coast Concrete, Stuart Builders, BK’s Sushi, PowerTurf, Mangawhai Dental, Mangawhai Golf Club, Bayleys Mangawhai, Placemakers and Carters.
Mangawhai Tavern, Bunnings and New World, as well as Haka NZ and Aesthetico were also thanked.
Special thanks to Mangawhai Golf Club president Jewel Sterling, staff and volunteers, and Geraldine Speed, John Phillis, Bert Sainsbury, Pat and Anne Maroulis, Maurie Eyles, Margaret Brookes, Stuart Thompson, Dean Ellis, David Boyd, Nina G Photography, Rachael Williams and Kate Arbuckle.
This article was originally published on Local Matters.
