SOSSI hole in one

A charity golf tournament to be held at Gulf Harbour Country Club will benefit its close neighbour, the Shakespear Open Sanctuary.

The Gulf Harbour Country Club Charity Classic tees off on November 3 and proceeds go to the Shakespear Open Sanctuary Society Inc (SOSSI).

Organiser of the tournament, the country club members’ committee secretary Peter Cook, says it’s the first time the club has held a charity tournament for more than a decade. It is hoped that at least $5000 will be raised.

“We wanted an environmental charity and also to make our connections with SOSSI closer,” Peter says. “The club has a longer term plan to get more involved, perhaps helping with weed and pest control. Anything that helps birds thrive and maybe fly from the sanctuary onto our grounds is a positive.”

SOSSI chair Peter Jackson says the money will be used to help fund an interpretation plan for the open sanctuary that was commissioned by Auckland Council recently, with the aim of helping visitors get the most out of the park. It includes signs, guided walks, art, brochures and web and mobile apps, and the plan suggests some 30 specific projects to be completed within the new five years.
Around 100 golfers, in 25 teams, will take part. Everyone that takes part receives a year’s SOSSI membership.

Sponsorship has been obtained for all 18 holes – this has come from businesses, Wentworth College and the family of Allan Parker, SOSSI’s founding chair and long time volunteer, who died in 2016.
Each sponsor enters a team of four players into the tournament. Max Riksen, who is Allan Parker’s son-in-law, says Allan’s family, together with Marcel and Daniele Eikenaar, sponsored a team as a tribute.

“Allan’s wife Elaine and daughter Sarah thought it was a great opportunity to carry on his legacy and work to support SOSSI,” Max says.

The Parker team consists of Max, Ross Muir, Iain McGhie and Simon Rutten who are all avid golfers and have been in training for weeks for the competition.

Top prize for hole in one
A huge drawcard is the chance to win a new Nissan Qashqui ST, valued at $35,000, from City Nissan. This will require considerable golfing prowess. Each entry gets a shot at the eighth hole, from 160m away, and the first person to make a hole in one wins the car. Peter says that in the last five years, only three club members have achieved this feat.

Local golfers are also entering teams. As Hibiscus Matters goes to print, there are still some places available for players, and for the dinner, auction and prizegiving that follows.

Info: contact director of golf Frazer Bond at Gulf Harbour Country Club.