Proceeds from a recent record-setting golf fundraiser will support school holiday programmes for young locals with intellectual disabilities.

The Hirepool Charity Golf Classic Trilogy tournament, which took place last weekend (March 18-20) has raised $41,620 for M!NT Charitable Trust.

“The weekend’s [fundraising] result was way beyond our wildest expectations,” M!NT ambassador Jude Smith said. 

The annual charity tournament has been running since 2004 but this year’s event set a new fundraising benchmark.

“We are all surprised at how well it went,” Wānaka Golf Club manager Kim Badger said.

Winners of the men's division one (from left) Steve Humpherson, Paul Knowles, Andy Wavish and Jason Parrant, with Grant Pugh from Hirepool.

“The amount includes a $5,000 donation from the Wānaka Golf Club to M!NT, and then the rest is what they’ve raised themselves through acquiring all the donated goods and services and then auctioning them to all the players and visitors.”

Restrictions around gathering due to Covid-19 may have actually helped with the fundraising, Jude said.

“Although Covid created lots of barriers and organising I think having two prize givings, which meant two auctions, made a huge difference to us in the overall outcome,” Jude said.

She thanked the Wānaka Golf Club and event sponsor Wānaka Hirepool for the “exceptional” fundraising opportunity. 

“This will go towards our April, September and summer holiday programmes, which are filled with adventures to neighbouring towns, lots of fun trying new activities, laughter and memorable experiences.”

Hosted by the Wānaka Golf Club (WGC), the Hirepool Golf Classic involves golfers playing in teams of four over three days. Participants play ‘American Foursomes’, a ‘Two Ball Ambrose’, and a ‘Scottish Foursome’.

Previous organisations which have benefitted from this annual charity tournament include the Upper Clutha Hospice Trust, the Wānaka Fire Brigade’s Road Crash Rescue team and the Upper Clutha Children’s Medical Trust.

M!NT Charitable Trust is made up of a small group of local families working on a voluntary basis to support youth and young adults with intellectual disabilities in the Upper Clutha.

Results from the Hirepool Charity Golf Classic three-day tournament March 18-20, 2022:

Ladies Division

1 Lyn Hill, Judy Nelson, Karen Studholme and Liz McRae, 422 pts. 

2 Nikki Shaw, Leanne Hobbs, Natasha Walton and Imelda Marnane, 425 pts.

3 Anne Moffat, Yeverley McCarthy, Jill King and June Watson, 426 pts.

Mens’ Division 1

1 Steve Humpherson, Paul Knowles, Andy Wavish and Jason Parrant, 396 pts.       

2 Graeme Barbara, Gavin McDonald, Rodney Krahenbring and Ross Parry, 405 pts.

3 Wal Shuttleworth, Craig Weastell, Ryan Shuttleworth and Bill Mackway-Jones, 403 pts.

Mens’ Division 2

1 Paul Mavor, Brad Gemmell, Rob Norman and Stu Pinfold, 409 pts.

2 Huw Davies, Glen Clarke, Ross Hammond and Mike Bylsma, 412 pts.

3 Steve Roy, Mark Kensington, Neville Hore and Neil Mattchett, 414 pts.

PHOTOS: Supplied