Golf as a Power for Good. 

I saw Rory McIlroy play live at the 2009 Irish Open, held at the County Louth Golf Club just north of Dublin. That tournament was eventually won by Shane Lowry who at the time was still an amateur. Even to the untrained eye you could just see the class that Rory had, he hit the ball cleaner, higher, and further than the other players, and there was just something about the way he carried himself and his self-belief at a relatively young age. Fast forward 16 years and it was a privilege to spend the morning with a group of just over 100 members and non-members for our Masters Monday event.

Rory once again was centre stage making history. Seeing the reaction, he clearly had the support of the room here in New Zealand. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a golfer so drained at the end of a championship, with the years of expectation and pressure ever growing. This really was a victory achieved through mental strength and resilience, self-belief and endurance. His speech afterwards where he addressed his daughter saying ‘never give up on your dreams’, ‘keep working hard and you can do anything’ was emotional and inspiring, and it got me thinking about the power of golf, and sport for good. 

The power of sport in developing children not just as athletes but as human beings is huge. Not many aspiring golfers get to the position where they can make the sport they love their job, even fewer make it to a level where it is a well-paid job. The road his hard and there will be sacrifice along the way.

Golf (and other sport) however, can give children and young adults much more in terms of their life skills. Learning how to interact with others, think independently, problem solve, manage one’s time, prepare for an event, manage emotions and deal with adversity. As a club we need to aspire to provide a pathway for our junior players to fulfil their potential and to thrive as individuals.

Our coaching team do a great job introducing players to the game in a fun way that gives them core skills but also retains our juniors within the game. They then have the skills to develop those players and prepare them for a lifetime of golf. Whatever level they reach, providing young players with good values and skills for a lifetime has to be the goal.

Our club also provides other opportunities to contribute towards a better society. Last week we hosted the Harcourts Cooper and Co, Drive for a Cure Golf Day where they raised around $37,000 for Breast Cancer Cure. This is just one of a number of charity events that are hosted at our club throughout the year that make a significant difference to the charities that they support. The Drive for a Cure Day was a huge success, particularly given it was the first year of this event. We look forward to working with Harcourts Cooper and Co to grow this event in the years to come. 

Then there are the health benefits of golf to a membership group that could otherwise run the risk of becoming sedentary. Physically, golf provides a moderate level of exercise that is gentle on the joints but effective in maintaining cardiovascular health. Walking an 18-hole course can cover 6-8km, which supports heart health, helps regulate blood sugar, and can assist in weight management. Swinging a golf club engages multiple muscle groups, promoting flexibility, balance, and coordination—skills that are especially important in preventing falls and maintaining mobility in later years.

Seeing the camaraderie and atmosphere created at the aforementioned events also shows the power of golf and sport in general bringing people together. Social bonds are formed and, in some cases, lifelong friendships. In times where there is a focus on peoples mental health, having a place where members can come and relax with friends, and get away from the issues of the world is a huge benefit to society. The combination of physical activity and time spent in nature helps reduce stress and anxiety levels. Exposure to green spaces and sunlight naturally boosts mood and promotes relaxation. Additionally, the strategic nature of the game—planning shots, calculating distances, and focusing on technique—keeps the mind sharp and supports cognitive function. 

Finally, there’s the environmental benefits of our club. One of the most significant contributions is the creation of habitats and the promotion of biodiversity. Our mix of  trees, grasses, ponds, and woodlands serve as valuable sanctuaries for local wildlife: birds, pollinators, amphibians, and small mammals. In terms of water management, our golf course plays a positive role by collecting and filtering stormwater, reducing surface runoff and minimising the risk of flooding. Our ponds and wetland areas incorporated into the course help to purify water by trapping sediments and filtering pollutants before they reach natural waterways.

We also contribute to carbon sequestration and improved air quality. Turfgrass and trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it in plant tissue and soil. This helps to offset greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, the trees and vegetation on golf courses act as natural air filters, capturing dust and airborne pollutants, while also lowering local temperatures through shade and evapotranspiration. In our urban environment, our golf course serves as an essential green space that enhances urban ecology. 

Whilst there’s no denying that our golf club got incredibly political at the end of last year, we all share the same love for golf. We may have different motivations and reasons for playing, and that’s fine, but what we need to remember is that the golf club should be peoples’ happy space. We need to care for our fellow members and look out for the staff who work hard to provide the best possible course and service.

Happy Golfing,