TMF
DIAMOND ANNIVERSARY FUNDRAISER
Ambrose Golf Invitational
A charity Ambrose golf tournament bringing together doctors, local businesses, and community supporters to celebrate 60 years of medical education and research in Taranaki while raising funds for skin cancer prevention, early detection, and clinical upskilling.
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Why
this
Matters
Taranaki has one of the highest rates of invasive melanoma in Aotearoa New Zealand.
80% of new cancer diagnoses each year are skin cancers.
We also have a strong outdoor culture: farming, sport, surf, golf, and whānau life lived in the sun.
This event exists to turn that reality into action.
Funds raised through the TMF 60th Anniversary Ambrose directly support:
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GP skin-cancer training and upskilling
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Dermatoscope access and clinical education
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Medical student scholarships
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Ongoing medical education and locally relevant research
This is prevention in practice — supporting clinicians before disease becomes advanced and ensuring skills and equipment remain accessible in our region.
What "Playing for Skin" means
“Playing for Skins” is both a playful nod to golf and a serious commitment to skin cancer prevention and early detection.
Alongside the Ambrose, we offer education-focused sponsorship tiers that directly fund training and equipment for local clinicians. These contributions sit alongside playing or hole sponsorship and are designed for individuals, practices, and businesses who want to make a deeper impact.
Playing for Skins – Contribution Tiers
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Platinum Skin – $10,000
Two dermatoscopes plus GP training support -
Gold Skin – $5,000
Dermatoscope placement -
Silver Skin – $3,000
GP training bursary -
Bronze Skin – $1,000
Workshop-based skills training support -
Donate-a-Cap -$60
Naming a surgical/skin cap for a doctor undertaking skin training
These education tiers directly strengthen local capacity in skin cancer prevention and early detection.
GET INVOLVED:
There are many ways to be part of the day — whether you golf, sponsor, volunteer, or support behind the scenes.
You can:
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Enter a team of five to play in the Ambrose
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Sponsor a hole, with on-course visibility
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Support a Playing for Skins education tier
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Donate a prize or auction item
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Volunteer on the day (BBQ, welcome, education stations)
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Contribute a SunSmart or skin-health message as part of the event’s education focus
This is a relaxed, collegial event that is designed to be inclusive, enjoyable, and purposeful.
Suturing Masterclass: Intermediate Skin Techniques
"Voices from our education programmes"
Dr Emma Thompson - GP & Urgent Care Fellow
" Great teaching and adjustments of technique from local experts. In person training is so valuable for getting better at this skill and it was really great."
" Great course. Informative lecturers and supportive hands on experience. Surgical skin cancer management (along with dermatoscopy and sun smart teaching) is vital to improving the morbidity and mortality of the burden of skin cancer in our community. "
Dr Zara Bolam - GP & Urgent Care Fellow
" Gained confidence and clarity with deeper suturing techniques. "
GP Trainee
" The suture kit I was very impressed with! My own take away kit for practice was really great. "
Registered Medical Officer
This Ambrose event includes a strong education and prevention component, supported by partners working in skin cancer care and public health.
On the day, participants can expect:
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SunSmart messaging throughout the course
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UV camera education
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Skin-health awareness and early-detection information
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Clear links between lifestyle, prevention, and clinical care
We are working alongside organisations including MelNet / Skin Cancer New Zealand, Cancer Society, and Melanoma New Zealand to ensure messaging is evidence-based and practical.
Why support TMF?
The Taranaki Medical Foundation has supported local medical education and research since 1966.
Over six decades, TMF has helped:
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Train generations of doctors
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Fund medical student scholarships
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Support GP upskilling and specialist education
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Seed initiatives that improve long-term community health
This event helps ensure that work continues locally, sustainably, and into the future.
SPONSORS & SUPPORTERS
We are grateful to the businesses, practices, and individuals who are supporting
"Playing for Skins – 60 Years in the Sun."