A wet morning and windy afternoon didn’t discourage our brave golfers

The fourth annual Grower2Grower Golf Day was held on the 12th of September at the Pukekohe Golf Club. Despite the weather, the event was another huge success thanks to the support of all our sponsors, including our major sponsor Horticentre. Congratulations to all 22 teams who braved the conditions.

The morning began with heavy downpours, but the skies cleared just in time for tee-off. It wasn’t the warmest day, and the wind certainly tested everyone’s game.

Players kicked off with a hearty breakfast of bacon and egg muffins, alongside hot and cold drinks to prepare for the day ahead. A big thank you to Yara NZ for sponsoring breakfast. Out on the course, golfers were kept refreshed by two drinks carts, kindly sponsored by Apex Greenhouses. If the cold returns next year, we may have to add a mobile coffee cart to the line-up!

With the weather keeping everyone closer to the clubhouse, the side games were still a hit. The rugby challenge saw Peter Schreuder take home the “biggest kick of the day” title (though some say it was wind-assisted). Gellert Nurseries ran the tricky shuttlecock-in-the-pot game, made even harder by the strong gusts (and let’s just say their tent didn’t quite survive the wind either!).

On-course highlights included Catherine Mitchell from Chep, who claimed both the ladies’ longest drive and closest-to-the-pin—an impressive double effort.

This year also saw the addition of a virtual hole, which gave golfers the chance to test their skills on Augusta’s famous 18th without leaving the clubhouse. Daniel Sutton from Vegetables NZ thoroughly enjoyed staying dry while helping teams on the virtual hole! Scores ranged from 4 to 17, so it looks like some extra practice will be needed before next year.

As for the competition, Gellert Nurseries’ “Par-then Bar” team secured victory for the second year running. Second place went to The Farcups (also from Gellert Nurseries), while The Bandits from Educhem rounded out the top three. The ‘Best Dressed Team’ award went to Team Lefroy, led by Paula O’Hanlon, for their stylish matching hats. Wilcox Beta Bites nearly took the title too, but their bright orange hats were just a little too dazzling!

From Left, The winning team Par then Bar – Steve Gellert, Steve Foster, Krishna Avala, Scott Flett

Other highlights included a friendly rivalry between NZ Gourmet and Turners, which ended in a reported dead heat.  While in the “battle of the banks” BNZ edged out ANZ—with a lower interest rate, of course.

A special thank you goes to Molly Green from BASF for her amazing home baking—her two chocolate cakes were devoured after the prizegiving dinner.

Finally, a huge thank you to all our sponsors for making the day possible:

• Horticentre (Major Sponsor)
• Gellert Nurseries
• Educhem
• Extrutec
• BNZ
• Zonda
• Lefroy Valley
• Powerplants
• Yara NZ
• Vegetables NZ
• Centuria
• Apex Greenhouses
• Irribiz

See images below:

From tee to green, the Gourmet Waiuku Bashers representing Zonda, were buzzing around the course

Catherine Mitchell from Chep cliamed both the longest drive and closest to the pin in the ladies competition!

Scott Rimes from Wilcox Beta Bites had a tough time with the Gellert Nurseries shuttlecock-in-the-pot game, and ironically finished in 17th place — the same as the Newcastle Knights in this years NRL competition! 

The Herbivores representing Vegetables NZ 

The Turners Tomatoslicers. 

The Directors representing Horticentre.

Who said Rugby and Golf don’t mix

Thanks to Apex Greenhouses for keeping everyone refreshed again this year!

The ANZ Agri Hackers

Well done Molly Green from the Up the GroWAHS team.  That chocolate cake and decorations were simply superb!  No coincidence your last name is Green!

A huge thanks to Lauren Francis for her amazing BBQ skills, both for the pre-golf and post-golf catering! Everyone at the golf club was an absolute pleasure to work with and helped make the day run as smoothly as possible.

Team Lefroy

Lex Dillon obviously doesn’t feel the cold!  Well done to the Grower2Grower Up the GroWAHS team!

Second place again – representing Gellert Nurseries, The Farcups — if only their Virtual Hole putting had matched their driving! Drive for show, putt for dough.

The BNZ Designated Drivers

Oh dear – who put up that tent – Stefan!

Definitely our best dressed team of the day!

The Educhem Bandits – Grant did you lose your hat?

The post game function was brilliant in the newly refurbished clubrooms!  Thanks again to the Pukekohe Golf Club for hosting our event.

The Grower2Grower Greenhouse Swingers – Is that Dayle Radford from the ANZ? Do they know he had the day of? 

Cover image and best photo of the day the Horticentre Westie Wackers with Marie our amazing Event Manager.

See you all next year!