Fine weather and strong community interest helped make this year’s Rotary charity golf day a success, with $20,000 raised for youth programmes across Whakatāne.

Held on April 17 at the Whakatāne Golf Club, the tournament attracted a solid field of players and supporters, with a $10,000 hole-in-one prize adding extra interest, though it went unclaimed for another year.

Top honours in the sponsorship categories went to Whakatāne Towing & Salvage, which won the gold prize of a bottle of single malt. Hammertons claimed the silver prize, a bottle of bubbles, while Kelly’s Garage and Southern Cross Autos each received bronze prizes of a bottle of wine each.

The overall best team and trophy winners were Craig Manktelow, Timothy Manktelow, Allison Manktelow and Liam Bewley.

The Rotary Club’s Shirley Faulkner said the tournament was one of the club’s key annual fundraisers.

“This is a major fundraiser for our club and the Whakatāne community,” she said. “It helps support our youth and gives them opportunities they might not otherwise have.”

Money raised will help fund initiatives such as the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, where local young people attend a week-long leadership course at a heavily subsidised cost.

“It’ll cost the students $100 and Rotary Club will pay $800, which covers the rest,” Faulkner said. “It’s a really worthwhile week and a great experience for them.”

The money will also go towards supporting schools and other community events and organisations as well as the more Rotary-focused events such as the trolley derby.

She said the event’s success relied on community involvement, including volunteers and youth groups who assisted with activities such as the barbecue and raffle.

“We had great support on the day,” she said. “That’s what makes it all possible.”

The day raised $20,000 for the club to use during the year.

Members are looking forward to putting this money back into the community.