Swinging Big for World Down Syndrome Day
UpsideDowns was thrilled when one of our member whānau from the Hawke’s Bay reached out with the idea to host a charity golf day to celebrate this year’s World Down Syndrome Day. Mat and Lucinda Perry, who run Pinpoint Premium Golfing Experiences, recently joined UpsideDowns to support their beautiful one-year-old, Freddie, on his communication journey. Through their expertise and our organisation’s love for Down syndrome puns, Tee 21 was born.
The weather forecast for Tuesday, March 21 predicted rain — a sore point for the flood-stricken region — but as lunch and registration rolled around at midday, golfers and their families were treated to beautifully clear skies above Hastings Golf Club. The day saw more than 100 golfers competing in an Ambrose format golfing tournament (a style that allows golfers of differing abilities to mix and play together with equal enjoyment).
As the teams happily made their way around the course, they had beverages delivered by gracious hosts in golf carts and could stop for refreshments at a bar set up in the middle of the course, staffed by our very own CEO, Victoria Smith.
Tee 21 wasn’t just for competitors, there was plenty for friends and family to enjoy on the day. Two bouncy castles were erected, a small one for the young’uns and a larger for the more experienced bouncers, and Golf New Zealand sent a team of young enthusiasts to help teach fun golf skills to the kids. A classic sausage sizzle ensured everyone was adequately fueled through the afternoon.
It was a real community affair, with a number of UpsideDowns supporters working hard to promote numerous causes. One hole on the course was dedicated to raising funds for cyclone relief, and UpsideDowns supporters Joe Payton and son Otis were collecting donations for their upcoming Hawke's Bay Marathon run in support of the Hawke's Bay Rescue Helicopter Trust. In between playing holes with his brother Reuben, competitive swimmer Jesse Williams was also raising funds to compete in this year's Special Olympic Games in Germany.
Once the last ball was sunk, it was time to retire to the clubhouse for the prize-giving, dinner, and a live auction. Platters of hot food (chicken and chips for the kids, always a winner) helped energise the crowd for an incredibly generous round of bidding. The auction saw items like memorabilia signed by the Black Caps and Lydia Ko, luxury dining experiences, custom sports equipment, and a rejuvenating yoga retreat go under the hammer. The night’s most hotly sought item was a weekend away at the exclusive Te Aria Links golf resort north of Auckland.
Tee 21 was a fabulous success for UpsideDowns, helping support our work funding life-changing speech and language therapy for Aotearoa’s children and young people with Down syndrome. But more than that, it was a beautiful opportunity for a community to come together after years of separation thanks to the pandemic, followed by the blow of recent flooding. The smiling faces and gregarious energy of the event made it clear just how important these opportunities for social connection are.
It certainly didn’t hurt to have gorgeous young Freddie at the centre of this caring community, reminding everyone why we take the big swings on events like this.
