Up the pars: Golf day raises more than $17,000 for young rugby league players in Northland

Two different sporting codes united on the golf course last month to raise more than $17,000 for the region’s young rugby league players.

More than 110 golfers took to the inviting fairways and greens of The Pines Golf Club in Whangarei. Golfing teams came from as far away as Auckland to compete in the tournament, where they joined groups from Northland golf clubs out of Whangarei, Hikurangi, Ngunguru, Waitangi, Waipu, and Mangawhai, along with a healthy representation from home club members at The Pines.

Also among the playing fraternity were several former New Zealand and Samoan rugby league international representatives, including Duane Mann, Gary Prohm, Jerry Seuseu and Ali Lauiti’iti. Funds raised from the golf will be utilised by Rugby League Northland’s youth teams, both boys and girls, travelling to national tournaments throughout New Zealand.

The Legends of League golf tournament was run under a three-player ambrose team format and was won by a Whangarei team comprising David McDonald, Thomas McDonald, and Matt Dennis.

Event organiser and North Golf Association development officer Dave Mullan said the Legends of League golf event showcased how different sporting codes could work together – under the auspices of the Northland Sports Coalition – not only keeping the population fit, but also enabling participants to enjoy social engagement through sports.

Mullan said: “We’ve had multiple charity fundraising events at The Pines over the years, which combined have attracted thousands of players, and it was highly encouraging to see dozens of new faces playing in the Legends of League tournament … golfers who have united their love of two sports all for a very worthy cause under a charitable umbrella doing good for the community.”

A charity auction at the event, conducted by the highly entertaining Louis McDonald of Eves Real Estate, saw money rolling in from an enthusiastic crowd bidding on such highly collectible rugby league sporting memorabilia as:

· A signed Kiwis jersey which sold for $1300

· A signed Warriors jersey which sold for $750

· A signed Paramatta Eels jersey which sold for $400

· A pair of boots worn and signed by Kiwis and Penrith Panthers hard-man James Fisher Harris which sold for $500.