Marketers tee off for a worthy cause

Nearly one hundred marketers put their golf swing and generosity into action as they competed for THE KEITH NORRIS CHARITY GOLF CUP – raising over $30,000 for Melanoma New Zealand.

The inaugural event, held at the Akarana Golf Club in May, tested competitors spirits as they battled it out in the elements for the top spot.

The cup is named after marketing legend Keith Norris, an avid golf fan and 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, Keith 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.

Keith 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 two 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.