NZ’s Manor Park
Celebrates 100 years
By David Newbery
More than 500 members, former
members, guests and dignitaries
took part in Manor Park Golf Club’s
centenary celebrations recently.
For four days in April, the proud
New Zealand club turned on the
charm with an extravagant shindig,
which included a number of golf
tournaments, fun-filled activities
and functions.
It’s a significant milestone for the
popular Hutt Valley club where
2005 US Open champion Michael
Campbell, Gareth Paddison,
Lynnette Brooky and Stephen
Scahill honed their craft.
The club’s general manager Steve
Wallace told Golf Industry Central
the centennial celebrations were
three years in the planning.
“We had a committee of six
volunteers planning the four days
16
of golf and celebrations,” he said
The consensus was they did a
marvellous job as the event ran like
clockwork and even the weather
gods came to the party.
“The weather was fabulous although
we came within 10 minutes on
Thursday (day 1) of being washed
out,” Wallace said. “We had heavy
rain for half-an-hour and then it
fined up and for the remaining three
days it was unbelievably warm and
fine.”
Wallace said the Saturday dinner
at the Silvertream Retreat across
the Hutt River overlooking the golf
club’s fourth hole was a celebratory
highlight. More than 190 people
attended the function.
A number of politicians joined the
anniversary bash including Lower
Hutt mayor Ray Wallace and
Rimutak MP the Hon. Chris Hipkins.
New Zealand Golf board member
Eileen Bateup was there to present
The Golf Marketing Professionals www.golfindustrycentral.com.au
a special plaque to club president
Alan Humphries.
With more than $15,000 in prizes
up for grabs, the celebrations teed
off with a Canadian Foursomes on
ANZAC Day Thursday. A number
of Sydney’s Muirfield Golf Club
reciprocal members attended.
After the event, 160 golfers and
guests attended a meet-and-greet
cocktail function.
On Friday, the region’s top golfers
(amateurs and professionals) and
club members played an individual
gross and stableford events.
Professional Gareth Paddison fired a
magnificent round of 65 to win.
The Centennial members’ ambrose
event turned out to be a highlight
for 12 players, who won overnight
accommodation and golf at Cape
Kidnappers.