Formosa Resort
The NZCPA Golf Day was held out on the beautiful Eastern Shores of Auckland's Pohutakawa Coast. The day had two important functions, bringing past and present players together with important corporate guests and raising funds to help boost the NZCPA Player Hardship Fund, which has been set up to aid cricketers and their families in times of need.
The day dawned fine with just a slight northerly blowing the ocean mist across the greens out at Formosa. A strong BLACKCAP contingent and guests were welcomed by outgoing Board Member Dion Nash.
Events and Operation Manager, Kerry Walmsley, announced the format, tee groupings and prize holes for the round, the players then motored off in their carts to all parts of this picturesque course for a 16 hole shot gun start. The northerly had, by this stage, developed into a blustery north-westerly blowing some participants caps and hair-pieces across the greens. No-one, however, let the conditions get on top of them.
The early groups through the "Giltrap Porsche Nearest to the Pin hole" were finding it a challenge to land their ball near enough to the hole to place them in the running to win a hot little Porsche Boxter for a weekend. All participants were eligible for the prize with 24 handicapper and opener bowler Mike Mason leading the field for a great part of the day. Other groups started closer to the "Energizer Longest drive hole" out on the exposed 16th, while others were early to the "Gosser Beer Hospitality Hole" on the 11th. They were greeted by an early European style sausage delectably cooked by Chefs for the day Jacob Oram and Peter Fulton. The hole also gave the opportunity to those who felt obliged to have an early ale. The 9am start meant a beer at that point was a bit on the nose for one or two but most found it more than appropriate.
NZCPA Career and Personal Development Manager, Aidan Hobson, was also at the hole to encourage punters to back their ability to land their ball inside a 3m radius around the hole. Those that did doubled their money and those that didn't forfeited their money to the Hardship Fund. As the day continued the field were kept well feed and hydrated. The gap between the good golfers and the "golf-swingchallenged", became all too obvious. The wind, was by then relentlessly battering those on the back 9. The wind-blown field arrived in the club house after a brilliant 5 hours of competition desperately in need of a seat, a top up of sustenance and some liquid refreshments.
Executive Manger Heath Mills said the day was a good opportunity for players, sponsors and administrators to mix. He said that the Player Hardship fund is an important backstop for players and a worthy recipient for the day. "The CPA Player Hardship Fund is an aspect of the Association that we have placed strong importance on growing. The special fraternity and family of cricket is so evident at events like this, where you look around and see past and present first class and internationals getting on so well. But some inside our fraternity are facing harder times, for all manner of reasons. We need to be there for them and offer the opportunity to help those how and where we can."
The prizes on offer this year were again fantastic and prizes were presented down to 12th position in all 3 divisions. A large proportion of prizes were donated by Samsung and CCC who both have formal relationships with the CPA outside of the days festivities. Prizegiving began with Dan Vettori addressing the field, commenting on the importance of the Hardship Fund and the NZCT Hooked on Cricket programme, both CPA run events. These events are run somewhat under the radar, but are just as important to the players and those involved as some of the higher profile CPA events and activities carried out during the year.
Among the higher achievers on the day were; cricketers Scott Styris, Murphy Su'a, Craig Pryor and Jeetan Patel, corporate guests Rusty Brook (invited by Below the Line), Phil Hayden (invited by ANZ), Brent Martin (invited by National Bank) and Tane Poulson (invited by Samsung).
Everyone had a fantastic day's golf and exchanged many a story ranging from cricket to philosophy and everything in between. All that was left was to thank all for attending and supporting the CPA Corporate Golf Day raising funds for the all important CPA Player Hardship Fund.
