Waikoikoi Primary School, the "small school with the big spirit", held its 13th annual Ambrose golf tournament yesterday on a farm in Waikoikoi, near Tapanui.
The tournament is a fundraising event for the primary school, which has 22 pupils and one full-time teacher.
Tournament convener Kate Stark, a parent at the school, said the event raised about $9000 annually, which is used to fund a second teacher at the school for three mornings and one full day each week.
"We basically employ that teacher on the money raised at this event.
"Being a small school, having a second teacher gives us a high quality of education."
Mrs Stark said the school roll was four pupils short of gaining government funding for a second teacher, and she believed Waikoikoi was not the only school in Otago in this situation.
"Our numbers of children are decreasing, and we want to secure the school for the children coming on," she said.
The golf course is 15 holes, laid out across 18 paddocks, usually grazed by sheep.
Organisers said it took about five hours on a tractor to prepare the course, before a ride-on lawn mower trimmed the greens.
"It's very much a hands-on day by the parents. They are encouraged to help, and they do," Mrs Stark said.
This year's event attracted 22 teams, each with four players.
"Men start with a 36 handicap, and women 40. The course is all man-made. We develop all the holes, and sponsors are allocated to a hole."
Teams start at different points on the course, but complete all the the holes.
There are prizes for men's and women's longest drive, a business challenge trophy and a closest-to-the-pin prize.
Competitors were refreshed throughout the day with food and beverages, delivered on the course by motorcycle.
"There is a real community spirit. Every one shows how supportive they are of the school," Mrs Stark said.
