Taranaki Golf is a small organisation that promotes and fosters golf in Taranaki.
“Golf clubs run themselves; we do the coaching, recruiting and promoting of an enjoyable and golf-smart environment on Taranaki’s 18 courses,” said Peter Harold, Taranaki Golf CEO.
Taranaki Golf runs several key programmes, including the Futures Programme, which supports training and development and allows under-19s to play in Futures Events at any golf club in the region.
“We also run coaching programmes in schools and She Loves Golf, which aims to bring more women and girls into the sport,” said Peter.
Based next to the Fitzroy Golf Clubrooms, Taranaki Golf’s small office was dark and tired, with rotting carpet, no signage or storage and only two ancient computers.
A $10k Toi Foundation grant helped transform the space into a real hub, with new carpet, a fresh coat of paint, extended storage and bright new signage on the doors.
As Peter explains, “it’s just created a great atmosphere. Our staff can pop in and pop out, grab their gear. It’s given us an identity. People now know where we are and often pop in. It’s a real connection piece.”
Over the past two years, Toi Foundation has also supported Taranaki Golf with an annual grant to lease a Ford Ranger. Peter says this “has been a game-changer” for the organisation.
“We had one car; not great when you’re lugging around a thousand golf balls and 5 or 6 sets of clubs.
“We go right round the Maunga to service all 18 clubs and hundreds of schools, so that’s a lot of travel. Leasing means we save money and have a more suitable vehicle for travelling and transporting gear.
“For us, there’s no trickle-down funding from Golf New Zealand. Our only income comes through levies. Without organisations like Toi, we would struggle to survive. And so I don’t say it lightly that the help we get through Toi is game-changing for our sport.
