The Waitemata Golf Club will play host to the inaugural HeartKids Golf Day on Thursday March 28th. The introduction of this charity tournament has a heartwarming story: it is being driven by a local North Shore identity who is ‘giving back’ after having his own heart issues.
Bob Mills is a director of Haka, an Albany-based product sourcing business. The company sources mainly retail lines for some of New Zealand’s biggest retail names and has been doing business from the Shore for well over two decades.
Bob had major open heart surgery a few months back that involved the replacement of an aortic valve. Being thankful for the operation's success he has decided to give back by organising this annual fundraising tournament for HeartKids.
“These organisations obviously need all the help we can give them so I decided HeartKids would be a great charity to support, given my own heart troubles, so I approached them last year,” explained Bob Mills when we met him for a chat at Waitemata Golf Club in early February. “Nicola and Gillian from HeartKids loved the idea so we set about doing it together.
“Waitemata Golf Club struck me as the right course to host the tournament so I approached chairman Tom Chandler, whom I know pretty well, and they have been superb. Very accommodating – both club General Manager Hayden (McCallum) and Director of Golf Jason (Gulasekharam) have helped immensely. It is the perfect venue with a friendly and welcoming atmosphere."
The event will take the four-ball ambrose format with the aim of having up to 30 teams competing. Team registration is from 12 noon with a ‘shotgun’ start getting play under way at 1pm. There is an after-match function and light dinner that will include the prize giving and a charity auction.
The Heart Kids Golf Day is not just an afternoon of fun and play on the greens. All monies raised from the day will help transform the lives of the thousands of families across New Zealand who have a child born with a heart defect.
Heart Kids has been around for more than 30 years, walking alongside families whose worlds have been turned upside down by the news of their child's heart condition. It is a small charity with a big job to do. With no government funding HeartKids relies solely on the generous support of kind-hearted Kiwis like Bob Mills and others who are taking part. This generosity will help Heartkids provide vital services across New Zealand.
By late February bookings for the tournament were very strong but Bob was determined to have a full field. It is $125 per person to play or $500 for a team of four. Hole sponsorship is also available at $500 per hole. The emphasis is on fun, but there will be prizes awarded for the best team, longest drive, closest to the pin and you can also pay to have the pro take your shot on dedicated holes.
Those interested in playing and/or supporting this event should contact:- Gillian Holmes
Email: gillian.holmes@heartnz.org.nz or Phone: 022 087 566.
Waitemata Golf Club, 15 Derby Street, Devonport.
Phone 445-8716 or email: admin@waitematagolf.co.nz
Visit: www.waitematagolf.co.nz
