WHAT IS AN EAGLE?
The dictionary definitions are, ‘A large bird of prey’ (gender neutral) and ‘in golf, a score of two shots less than par for a hole’. However the Eagles we a writing about here refer to a unique golf organization.
The name ‘Eagle’ was adopted by a group of senior Auckland golfers who came together in 1956 to assist junior golfers. This concept spread throughout both the North and South Islands and in 1964 the New Zealand Eagles Golfing Society was formed.
The aims of the Society are to establish a fellowship of golfers, to foster the game of golf, assist in encouraging and instructing junior golfers, and promote sportsmanship, skill and etiquette. Active support is also given to charity, in particular the Halberg Trust, and the Special Needs group of Golfers in Canterbury
Criteria for Membership:
Membership to the Eagles Golfing Society is by invitation or nomination from individual golf clubs within the Canterbury region, and is open to those who have made, or are perceived to have the credentials to contribute positively to their club and the game of golf, whilst embracing the objectives of the Eagles Society.
Requirements expected from a prospective member are, Good Character – Reliability – Organisational skills and highly regarded by their fellow member golfers, they also must have the desire to belong to a Fellowship of Golfers who have the objectives of giving back to golf, or providing those less fortunate than themselves opportunities to improve or succeed.
There is no minimum age limit or handicap restriction to joining the Eagles Society and the Membership of the Eagles Society is not confined to Men, indeed Women are also actively sought as prospective members.
Regionally the criteria is based on an individuals desire to become involved with a fellowship of golfers who whole heartedly support the developing of Junior Golf in the Canterbury Province and raising money for those less privileged, through the auspices of the game of golf.
The Society meets on a Monthly basis at different golf clubs within Canterbury, to play with the available club membership, it uses the occasion to promote itself to golf clubs and prospective members, always keeping in mind that if a golf club needs support in the areas of administration, then the society has members with the skills to help, and these members are available to support golf clubs in many ways. Partners of Eagles Members who play golf are actively encouraged to attend the Match Days and play alongside their partners and the membership
Prospective members must meet the criteria of attending at least 2/3rds of the Monthly Match days, and positively contribute in helping the Society achieve its objectives. There are approximately 1400 members within 15 Provincial Societies. Canterbury has an active membership of around eighty, representing the majority of the areas Golf Clubs.
WHAT DOES AN EAGLE DO?
The Eagles Golfing Society places strong emphasis on supporting junior golf through raising funds and assisting with junior tournaments, whilst raising funding for those less fortunate than ourselves though the game of golf.
Objectives:
Fellowship
Assistance by visits to Golf clubs
Assistance by efforts to organizers of junior tournaments in the Province of Canterbury, assistance with the fostering and promotion of Junior Golf at Club and National level
Assistance to the “Halberg Trust as stated in Sir Murray Halberg’s letter.
Assistance to Special need Golfers of Canterbury
Selection of NZ Eagles ‘Amateur Golfer of the Year’, the names of the recipients of this award read like a who’s who of New Zealand golf; Sir Bob Charles (1968), Marnie McGuire (1985/86), Bradley Iles (2003), and in 2007 the recipient was Sarah Nicholson.
Canterbury Eagles supplementary Objectives:
Eagles enjoy regular social visits to Canterbury golf clubs in their area to play with the members and to promote the aims and objectives of the Society.
Each year Canterbury members conduct the Eagles under 17 golf qualifying tournament from which the winners (two boys and a girl) are funded to the National Eagles under 17 golf tournament, all costs associated with the qualifying tournament (lunches/prizes) and travel expenses of the winners are met by the Canterbury Eagles Golfing Society.
The Society also helps with the running of the Canterbury Secondary Schools golf tournaments and provides the administration required for the Annual Canterbury Golf Association Age Group Championships.
The Society in association with Canterbury Golf Incorporated assists with the administration and funding of Junior Coaching Clinics which are to be conducted twice yearly in the province.
The Eagles Golfing Society of Canterbury’s major activity is raising funds, through a multi-sponsored golf tournament, for the Halberg Trust as supported in the National Objectives.
The society also supports a group of special needs, young personnel in Canterbury involved with the game of golf in achieving their objectives.
The local popular Annual Halberg Trust Tournaments raise in excess of $13,000 towards assisting persons with disabilities to take part in sport or active leisure in the Canterbury/West Coast district. All of the fifteen Eagles Societies hold annual ‘Halberg’ tournaments with $158,000 being the national total raised in the 2007 year. Since the inception of the Halberg Trust Golf Tournaments, well over $3,000,000 has been raised due to the efforts of New Zealand Eagles. It was pleasing that in the year (2007) to have Dame Susan Devoy at the Halberg Trust Awards, applaud the Provincial Societies for their efforts in raising funds for this charity, and it is also pleasing to be able to say that our contribution of $10,000 was no small part of the $170,000 spent in the greater Canterbury Region.
Canterbury Eagles Contacts:
President - Tom Whitaker
Phone - 03 354 4632
Club Captain - Mike Hurley
Phone - 03 383 7222
Treasurer - Rex Bull
Phone - 03 348 6425
Other officer bearers are:
Immediate Past President Jim Townhend; Vice Captain Brian Boomer; Secretary George Stringer; Auditor Fred Shaw; Committee: David Doak; Ron Kennedy; Alan Bilbrough; Valerie Mardon
