Te Tuinga Whānau Trust brings kids to the Tauranga Golf Course for Carrus Open

Te Tuinga Whānau Trust organised a grandstand to be set up at the Tauranga Golf Club for 100 underprivileged children to watch the Carrus Open. Photo / George Novak

The ball was lined up perfectly, knees bent, a big swing followed and then a chorus of oohs and aahs.

The cheering filled Tauranga Golf Course this week as a group of children, who had never been near a golf club, let alone a golf course, spent the day watching the Carrus Open and learning how to putt.

It was all part of an initiative led by Te Tuinga Whānau Trust and the golf club in an aim to inspire those who might never have had the opportunity.

While seated on the grandstand installed for the tamariki to watch players tee off, the trust's executive director Tommy Wilson told the Bay of Plenty Times the ball started rolling as the club became a donor of everything and anything.

"They began to understand the real face of homelessness and how they could be involved.

"We just said, 'hey let's set up a little grandstand for the kids so they can come and watch and experience hitting some golf balls'."

Wilson hoped the next Michael Campbell or Lydia Ko could be sitting in the grandstand as a result.

"It's really following on from what Covid has taught us, to be kind and awhi up, this is just an extension of that.

"There's a perception that golf is for stiff-collared people, but that's not the case and these are good people."

Golfers (from left) Shinju Aoki, Michael Zhu and Anna An gave the tamariki something to smile about as they sent the ball flying. Photo / George Novak

Manaia Nicholas, 9, and Brodi Tuhakaraina, 14, were both sitting in the grandstand eagerly cheering as each player teed off.

New Zealand Golf board chairman Mike Smith said there was an ever-growing number of young people joining the sport.

"It's great to have more young people here to realise its not just an old rich-person sport.

"Plus it's better when you are younger, you are fearless. As you get older, doubt creeps in."