4th Annual Charity Golf Day

Mobility Dogs 4th golf tournament, originally scheduled for March but deferred in the wake of the Christchurch earthquake, finally teed off on Friday 2 December 2011 at the North Shore Golf Club. 

18 teams competed in a 4 man Ambrose format.  Several of these teams deserve special mention, returning to support our event for the fourth consecutive year: Aurecon, Blair Smith, Cerebral Palsy Society, Karol Cooksley, Michael Hogan, Mike Squires and Paul Hodgson. 

We were delighted to have television presenter Melanie Kerr join us as MC to officially welcome players, and later to assist with the auction of a ‘Puppy Package’: naming rights to a Mobility Dogs puppy and the opportunity to follow its progress through our canine development programme. 

Prior to a 12.45pm shotgun start, Mobility Dogs trainers - Natalie and Laura - demonstrated a range of assistance dog tasks with two Mobility Dogs in advanced training - Ice and Idol - culminating in a race to see which dog could unzip a jacket and tug off two sleeves the fastest.  For the record, it was Ice by a snout!

Players assembled for the Mobility Dogs demo

Melanie introduces Natalie & Ice and Laura & Idol

“The Founder’s Cup” 2011 has been engraved with the KATZBFG team comprising A Paterson, D Spencer, J Houston & P Houston, finally breaking the stranglehold of the B Smith and Aurecon teams at the top.  Runners up, the Guide Dogs team, was sniffing at their heels. We do appreciate the support of Paul Metcalf, national manager of RNZFB Guide Dog Services.  As other assistance dog organisations continue to develop in New Zealand it is important we collaborate to ensure high standards of practice across the sector.

To the victors the spoils - KATZBFG hold the Founder's Cup aloft

Mobility Dogs @ 19th hole

Many thanks to those who contributed to our auction, raffle and golf team prizes: in particular Michael Hogan for, once again, assembling a range of travel auction prizes, and to Mobility Dogs trustee Kathy Peake for securing a number of attractive raffle prizes (not to overlook her homegrown macadamia nuts and olives for the tables!).  Our gratitude is also extended to stalwart golf day volunteers Michelle Smith (administration) and Buzz Bee (technical support), this year joined by Jenny West and the Rotary Club of Ellerslie Sunrise.

Golf Day 2012 is scheduled for 30 November 2012.