Leveraging golf for good at the New Zealand Open
Craigs Investment Partners and the New Zealand Open are leveraging golf for good, to raise money for three nominated charities. See below to find out how.
Craigs’ Road to the New Zealand Open
Throughout the country, Craigs Investment Partners branches are involved in numerous Charity Golf Days each year. Craigs’ Road to the New Zealand Open was created to encourage more participation in these charitable golf days and help raise funds for charitable community causes.
The Craigs Road to the New Zealand Open 2023 competition gave players competing in eligible Craigs’ sponsored regional golf events the chance to win one of two prizes – entry into the Pro-Am Division to play alongside a professional on the field or a VIP guest experience. Two Craigs’ clients won tournament packages for the 2024 New Zealand Open : Brian Cadzow won a spot in the Pro-Am division and John McIntee won a VIP guest experience.
“As the winner of Craigs’ Road to the Open I was truly blown away. It was a privilege to represent Craigs at the New Zealand Open. We’ve had a lot of fun and are already looking forward to next year,” says Cadzow.
Photo: Thats Brian and his Adviser Adam Lynch (on the LHS) Adam also caddied for Brian.
The Craigs’ Road to the Open competition will return this year, and two more clients could win the opportunity to play and experience the 2025 New Zealand Open with Craigs.
You can view our Road to the New Zealand Open entry T&Cs here.
Craigs Birdies for Charity
Craigs sponsored two incredible charity fundraising initiatives over the course of the tournament. ‘Birdies for Charity’ saw Craigs company donate $200 into a pool for every birdie recorded by professionals and amateurs on the Craigs Investment Partners hole (Coronet #16, Tournament #15 – Par 3) across all four days of the tournament. A total of 91 birdies were scored, and an incredible $19,000 will be shared between Cure Kids and the Acorn Foundation
Cure Kids Head of Engagement Brendon Pongia says “We are really thankful to Craigs Investment Partners for creating this initiative within the New Zealand Open. It’s provided an opportunity to engage with another audience and work in partnership to enable interactions with clients. It shows that Craigs cares by giving back and that’s really important.”
Craigs Closest to the Pin
Craigs also hosted and donated prize money for a ‘Closest to the Pin’ competition for spectators on the tournament’s final weekend. In return for a donation to the Wakatipu Community Foundation, spectators had two attempts to hit a golf ball closest to the pin. The person with the closest shot on each day received $5,000 prize money.
The lucky winners of the Closest to the Pin competition on Saturday and Sunday were Tim Cumming from Nelson and Wesley McAllister from Queenstown. Generous spectators who took part donated almost $6,000 directly to the foundation.
Jennifer Belmont, CEO of Wakatipu Community Foundation summarised their involvement over the weekend. “Thanks to the incredible dedication and exceptional work of the fantastic Craigs team, the ‘Closest to the Pin’ charity fundraiser at the New Zealand Open was a tremendous success for the Wakatipu Community Foundation. We are incredibly thankful for the amazing community support at the event.”
