Well known residential home builder Platinum Homes has continued its association with golf in Northland – again sponsoring the Platinum Homes Pro-am held in Whangarei in March. This is the event’s 10th year – with proceeds going to the I Have A Dream Charitable Trust.

The first Platinum Homes Pro-am was a one-day event played at the Whangarei Golf Club in 2015. Ever since then it has been held at Sherwood Park Golf Club in Whangarei, growing to become a two-day competition.

The Platinum Homes Pro-am tournament has always supported a charity. First it was in partnership with famed Kiwi golfing caddy Steve Williams and his foundation supporting the Starship Hospital.

The tournament started with a prize pool of $10,000. Peter Roberts from DVS helped grow the prize pool to $35,000 in 2021. Platinum Homes as a national entity has been a big contributor to the competition over the years.

Platinum Homes Northland director Dean McGonagle said: “The tournament has been successful because we have kept it fun but professional.”

“We have a dinner after the first round, and we’ve had guest speakers every year who have all donated their time – including the likes of Peter Williams, Steve Williams, Antman Knight, Dick Taylor, Phil Gifford, and John Bracewell. The dinner has become quite iconic with our tournament – which is why the professionals like coming north to play in it.”

“Another unique experience with our pro-am is that we have a master of ceremonies on the first tee, and he calls out each player as they come through – making a fuss and explaining about each sponsor, and also giving some history on each professional player.”

Dean McGonagle said Platinum Homes Northland very much loved not only supporting golf, but also the young professionals in the sport – allowing amateurs golfers from across Northland to play alongside professional players and get a better understanding of what it feels like to participate in an elite-level environment.

“For our tournament, players always have to be registered to a golf club. This way we make sure we maintain a high professional atmosphere out on the fairways and greens. And lastly, our support of the pro-am reflects our social responsibility as not only a business, but also a community citizen in supporting a charity that makes a positive difference to the lives of so many in Northland,” he said.
 

 

For 2024, the event raised $11,300 for I Have a Dream and has raised over $70,000 in the years it has been supporting the charity.