A special fly-over towards the end of play reminded golfers just why they were playing in the Eastland Helicopter Rescue Trust Charity Golf Tournament.
Returning from attending a trauma in Wairoa and taking the patient to hospital in Hastings, the Trust Tairāwhiti Eastland Rescue Helicopter buzzed the around 140 players taking part in Friday’s event at the Poverty Bay Golf Club.
“Everyone just stopped and looked up to the sky,” says EHRT event organiser Sara McNaught. “It was pretty cool and a great way for the team to acknowledge all their supporters below.”
A squally morning had given way to a fine afternoon for those who took to the greens for the 18th annual tournament.
“It looked pretty hairy for a while but the weather came through for us on the day,” says trust treasurer Ian Parker.
“It made for a fantastic event for the 35 teams who took part in what is an important fundraiser for us and the Trust Tairāwhiti Eastland Rescue Helicopter service.”
The funds raised help keep the Trust Tairāwhiti Eastland Rescue Helicopter in the air 365 days a year, last year’s 360 completed missions an increase of over 45 percent more than those flown the year before.
“In that time the team has grown to a full complement of 12 and while that is amazing for the service, everything comes at a cost,” Mr Parker says.
“So we’re grateful for the incredible support from our community, our sponsors and each and every player on the day.”
Between the raffles run on the course, the sale of succulent steak sandwiches, the post-play auction and the green fees donated by Poverty Bay Golf Club – which offers use of its Awapuni Links for free — $15,400 was raised to help EHRT meet its fundraising obligations.
And the trust was not the only winner on the day. Major prizes went to:
– First mens and overall winner – Wilencote Herefords
– First women — MVP
– First mixed — G-Trap Hustlers
– Second — AMFs
– Third — East Coast Electrical
One of the most coveted prizes was the Craig’s Investment Partners Gisborne closest-to-pin award for top male and top female, both going into the draw to win one of two major prizes at the 2025 New Zealand Open. The winners were:
– Top male — Willy Brown
– Top female — Jo Kerr
“We’re grateful for the wonderful support for what is a crucial fundraiser for our region’s rescue helicopter service,” says EHRT chair Patrick Willock.
“That it takes close to 50 sponsors to pull together just shows the incredible backing we have from our community. But the best thing is that everyone comes together to have an amazing day.”
CAPTION: Trust Tairāwhiti Eastland Rescue Helicopter critical care flight paramedic Lachlan Clark (pictured) made up a team with his colleagues, pilots Mike Fitzgerald and James Easterbrook (also off duty), along with “ring-in” Alister Jennings.