Closest to the Pin charity fundraiser
Rate your golf skills?
Queenstown spectators can have a crack at the Closest to the Pin charity fundraiser during the final two days of the 104th New Zealand Open, at Arrowtown’s Millbrook Resort.
The fundraiser will be held on the ninth hole of Millbrook’s Remarkables course, between noon and 4pm on Saturday and Sunday, 1 and 2 March, with a daily cash prize of $3,000.
Anyone keen to have a shot will need to make a donation to the Lakes District Air Rescue Trust (LDART) in return for two attempts at hitting a golf ball closest to the pin, from a distance of around 125 metres.
It’s open to all and the person who records the ‘Closest to the Pin’ shot during each day of the competition will take home $3,000 prize money, provided by sponsors by Craigs Investment Partners.
Established in 1991, the LDART supports operators of emergency rescue helicopters across some of NZ’s wildest and remotest country.
LDART Chairman Jules Tapper says the Trust is extremely grateful to Craigs Investment Partners for picking them as the chosen charity.
“Last year, 1107 missions of assistance were conducted from bases at Queenstown and Te Anau,” he says. “Missions are increasing annually as more and more people explore the great outdoors and our population increases.
“With our large area of operations, community support is continuously needed to supply the services and equipment provided. The operation has never been fully funded by the Government agencies that call it out, so additional community funding is essential.
“Thank you to all who have contributed to this worthwhile cause.”
Craigs Head of Private Wealth and Markets, Jeremy Williamson, says the fundraiser aligns well with the company’s values.
“Connecting with and supporting the communities we serve nationwide is hugely important to us,” he says.
“What better way to support the Lakes District community than by supporting the important services provided by the Lakes District Air Resue Trust through our Closest to Pin competition at the New Zealand Open.
“All donations generated from the competition go directly to LDART to benefit this important local need, so we hope to see as many people as possible dipping into their pockets and joining us for this ‘golf for good’ initiative.”
Find more info at nzopen.com/tournament-info/spectator-info/closest-to-the-pin/
