First Published: 09 June, 2022
Nearly one hundred brave and generous golfers competed for The Keith Norris Charity Golf Cup at Akarana golf club on Thursday 19 May. Brave, because they played in rainy conditions and generous, because they helped raise over $30,000 in aid of Melanoma New Zealand. A big round of applause to all the golfers getting out on the course despite the dreadful conditions – a true test of your dedication to the sport and the cause…or testament to your avid desire to win the trophy! You’ve earned our collective respect for your efforts!
Naming the cup after Keith Norris fits him to a tee, as an avid fan of the game and a player of the sport since he came to New Zealand nearly 50 years ago. The honour comes as recognition of the many decades he’s survived, or as he says, thrived, in New Zealand’s marketing industry. Like any true Kiwi, Norris is humble about the accolade, but is proud of the opportunity to combine his two life passions, marketing and golf.
“The values in golf and marketing are very similar, because in golf you keep your own score. It's all about honesty and transparency and that's the way I believe marketing should be,” he says.
Norris says days like these are important for the industry. “It’s a really good way to learn more about the people working alongside you. You know a great deal about a person if you spend four hours on a golf course with them. It gives you a chance to meet your contemporaries on a different playing field, particularly because over the last 2 years we've had very few opportunities to get together,” he says.
Congratulations to all the golfers who walked away with prizes this year, and especially to Nino Cassin, John Kendrick and Mike Newdick from VP Group for claiming the ultimate trophy. Thanks also to principal sponsor The Pond and individual hole sponsors APPA, Barfoot & Thompson, Cartology, Energi, Foodstuffs, Promo Factory and Track NZ for making the day possible.
The day focused on raising funds for Melanoma New Zealand, which estimates that over 90,000 Kiwis get non-melanoma skin cancer each year, our most common cancer in the entire country. The cause, although widely supported, is very close to Norris’ heart.
“Recently a lifelong friend of mine passed away from melanoma, so now this cause has even more meaning for me,” Keith explains.
During the day Melanoma NZ ran free spot checks for event participants and found at least one suspected melanoma – so not only did the event raise funds for continued melanoma prevention and early detection service, but it also potentially saved a life.
“We are so grateful to the Marketing Association for running the inaugural Keith Norris Charity Golf Cup in support of Melanoma New Zealand. Thanks also goes to the event’s generous sponsors and all the committed golfers who braved the (very!) wet weather conditions in great spirits for the cause. New Zealand has the worst incidence and death rates of melanoma in the world, with more than 6000 New Zealanders diagnosed and around 300 people dying from melanoma every year. The more than $30,000 raised on the day will make a real difference in helping to save lives by raising awareness about melanoma prevention and early detection.”
- Andrea Newland, CEO of Melanoma New Zealand.
If you are interested in bringing the spot check van to your business for staff or customer spot checks, please get in touch with Andrea.
andrea.newland@melanoma.org.nz.
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