What is an Eagle?

What qualifies a person to wear the distinctive red jacket with its embroidered Eagle pocket insignia and grey tie with a red Eagle motif? Contrary to some ideas, the scoring of an  eagle or eagles on the golf course is not the answer.

Eligibility for membership is by way of many years service to the game of golf.

This service can take a variety of forms such as playing at a high level, coaching or, perhaps more commonly, by serving in administration at club or other levels in the New Zealand golfing world.

Membership of the Society is by way of invitation. This takes the form of a nomination for membership by two existing Eagles. Candidates are proposed at annual and half yearly general meetings and to be successful must receive a four fifths majority vote in favour.

Membership of district Societies is limited but once elected the new member becomes one of around 1,400 Eagles nation-wide.

The broad objectives of the Society are to foster the game of golf, particularly at the junior level; to foster fellowship among Eagles members and to assist the charitable work of the Halberg Trust through a fund raising programme on its behalf.

Along with other society’s the Aorangi members support junior golf in their district by holding a junior qualifying tournament annually at which three youngsters, normally two boys and a girl, are selected to attend the Eagles National event. Junior coaching grants are made to local clubs which submit applications and a grant is made to the Aorangi Secondary School’s annual golf tournament.

Funding for junior golf support is primarily achieved through the annual Stableford raffle which is backed by valuable sponsorship from TaylorMade Golf.  

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