The annual Hirepool Charity Classic Golf tournament last weekend (March 6-8) raised $23,500 for a local charity and entertained hundreds of golf enthusiasts. 

Wanaka Golf Club (WGC) manager Kim Badger said the event is a highlight for many local players. “The format is fun yet challenging and having a teams’ event bonds players so they feel the urge to reunite their team year after year.”

Men’s division one winning team member Rick ‘Stumpy’ Johnston said the relaxed nature of event meant it was more of a social occasion than a hardcore competition and players looked forward to returning every year to “have a bit of fun” and catch up with mates.

It’s the third time the Wanaka Firewood team has won the trophy, last winning it in 2017 with the same four players: Rick, his dad Skip Johnston, Barry Johnston and Michael Thompson.

Over the three days the team’s partnerships proved too good, eventually winning by nine holes. Rick, who said he hadn’t played as much golf as usual lately, birdied four holes during the Ambrose and the team just pulled away that day. 

“It was one of those days when you couldn’t go wrong,” he said. “And it’s a nice way for Wanaka Firewood to finish, to go out with a bang.” Skip is closing Wanaka Firewood this year.

Local golfers Anne Moffat and Yeverley McCarthy enjoy the second day of the Hirepool Charity Classic.

The ladies’ division win was shared equally between the team of June Watson, Wendy Borrius-Broek, Nikki Shaw and Beverley Smith and the team of Liz McRae, Sheryll Emerson, Mary Heckler and Andrea Tisdall.

The winning men’s second division team was Murray Hyndman, Don Agnew, David Allen and Holger Reinecke.

Tournament convenor Bill Hore said, despite the rain, the course conditions “were the best ever so far and the players responded accordingly”. And even though there were 56 teams of four participating there were no hold ups and the field moved better than ever, making it enjoyable for all.

“The players also love the charity cause and that the funds raised are going back to the needy in the community,” Kim said.

The charity of choice this year was the Upper Clutha Children’s Medical Trust. Kim said the trustees did a fine job acquiring raffles and auction items and ran a very smooth fundraiser.

“We raised just over $23,500,” trust chair Dave Evans said. The money raised meant the trust would be able to extend its support to so many local families who struggle financially to provide for their sick children, he said

“We are all very happy with the result and are indebted to the Wanaka Golf Club and the Hirepool committee and all the players for all the support we have received,” Dave said.

PHOTOS: Supplied