The fifth annual Whakaari Hayden Marshall-Inman Memorial Golf Tournament is taking place next Friday.

The December 6 tournament continues to honour the lives lost and the many affected by the eruption on Whakaari (White Island) on December 9, 2019.

Held every year since the eruption, the fundraising tournament is a significant occasion for remembrance and community connection. It will once again take place at Ōhope Links Golf Course and will be followed by a fundraising concert on the Saturday night, also held at the course.

The tournament promises to be a memorable event, drawing together the community, survivors, first responders, and others touched by the tragedy.

Golf tournament organiser Mark Inman, brother of Hayden Marshall-Inman, one of the 22 lives lost in the eruption, said they had a full field for the golf tournament, with 38 teams.

“We have a hundred and forty golfers and it is certainly a great mix of the community and those who were directly or indirectly involved in the actual eruption.”

Inman said the golf tournament was more than a fundraiser.

“It’s an opportunity for people to come together, reflect, and support one another. The tournament provides a positive way to connect those who have been affected and to check in with them each year.”

As always, participants can expect some familiar faces on the greens, including rugby Sevens player Regan Weir, Ōhope 10,000 first and second place-getters Matthew Purdey and Ryan Walker, as well as Mark Law and his fellow pilots, who played a key role in rescuing those from the island in the aftermath of the eruption.

There will be plenty of action and activities throughout the day.

For a small donation, participants can also get pros Henry Spring and Ryan Maxwell to take a shot for them.

“It’s not just about the golf but about creating a memorable experience for everyone.”

The tournament’s also raises funds for causes that support those affected by the eruption. Previous beneficiaries have included first responders such as Coastguard Whakatāne, the Whakatāne Fire Brigade, Hato Hone St John Ambulance, and the National Burns Centre at Middlemore Hospital.

This year, funds raised at the tournament will go towards a memorial for the Whakaari eruption, a project that is being developed in collaboration with the Ōhope-Whakatāne Community Board, Ngāti Awa, and the Whakatāne District Council. The memorial is expected to serve as a place of remembrance and reflection for the community and visitors alike.

“We’re really excited to be finalising the plans for the memorial with the hapū and family members.”