Editorial: 75 years of Maori golf worth cheering

The 75th annual New Zealand Maori golf tournament being played in Rotorua this week epitomises what sport is about.

It's actually about different things for different people.

There's a real battle going on at the head of the field but for many long-time participants, it's about camaraderie and catching up with people they've come to know over the years.

For some it's about catching up with whanau and for most it's also about having fun. There certainly appears to be plenty of banter around the greens.

Sport brings people together and this week, Maori golfers from all walks of life are playing - kaumatua, politicians, business people, activists, retirees, competitive golfers, men and women, old and young.

Golf, as with many sporting codes, can be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities.

The tournament has a proud history and it's really great to see it back in Rotorua for the 75th anniversary with the Rotorua Golf Club and Lake View Golf and Country Club hosting some 300 golfers in several divisions.

That's a big field in any golf tournament, testament to the ongoing popularity of an event which has, over the years, attracted some of New Zealand's top Maori golfers in the past, Michael Campbell, Phil Tataurangi and Rotorua's own Brenda Ormsby among them.

Overseen by the New Zealand Maori Golf Association, a dedicated local crew has worked hard to ensure a great week is had by all.