A charity golf tournament that has been around for more than 30 years is preparing to support a very new charity when it tees off at Queens Park on 12th February.
The ILT/Liquorland Charity Golf Tournament will this year raise funds for the Southland Charity Hospital; a charity hospital that will provide healthcare for those in the Southern District Health Board zone who would otherwise be unable to access treatment through the private or public systems.
While the hospital itself is new concept – set up following the battle for more equitable access to healthcare, led by Southland cancer care advocates Blair and Melissa Vining – the golf tournament has a long history; originating more than 30 years ago and continuing to be a popular feature on the Southland golf calendar.
Tournament organiser Linda Suddaby said the charity tournament originally ran alongside what was the SBS Invitational – an Invercargill-hosted golf tournament that attracted the country’s best amateur golfers.
When the Invitational ceased in 2015, Golf Southland decided to continue with the charity tournament.
“It has always been a very popular tournament, it’s a fun day out and it really benefits local charities, so really, it was an easy decision to continue it,” Mrs Suddaby said.
“I think a lot of golfers enjoy the pairs competition, and this really is just a good chance to have a good day, play some golf and to raise money for a really good charity.”
“We are fortunate that ILT and Liqourland CentrePoint and South City are sponsoring the event, and that so many Southlanders enjoy playing golf for a good cause.”
The tournament is a 4BBB format and is open to any combination of pairs, although all participants must be a member of a golf club and must have an official handicap.
Entries can be made to Golf Southland; email [email protected] or phone 03 931 0082.
The tournament prize giving will be followed by Golf Southland’s Golfer of the Year presentations, which will include Southland Men’s, Ladies and Ju