A Linksman has fallen.
The death of father, husband, son, brother, friend, golfer and Poverty Bay Golf Club/Awapuni Links proud Hayden Keast last week has left a community numb.
At 43, “Keastie” had plenty behind him and so much more ahead.
He had become a driving force on the Poverty Bay Golf Club management committee while improving his game to the point of making Tairāwhiti’s top representative squad.
A tribute by he management committee said he had made “an incredible contribution” in a short time, was “instrumental in leading our Vivid Vision 2029 process” and was involved in and leading initiatives ranging from tree management and course direction to clubhouse refurbishment and junior coaching.
“He brought a wealth of skills and talent, an infectious enthusiasm and an extraordinary work ethic. Above all, he brought a genuine passion for making our club better.
“With a smile on his face, there always seemed to be another idea, another project or opportunity that Hayden was excited about.
“Hayden could often be found working on a project, practising or playing, or walking his dog around the course – stopping to fill divots with sand. He was always thinking about how things could be improved and, more importantly, how we could turn those ideas into reality.
“Hayden had a bold vision for the Poverty Bay Golf Club: to make it the best provincial golf club in New Zealand - a place you never want to leave.He believed in that vision wholeheartedly, and he inspired others to believe in it, too. His sudden passing is an immense loss.”
Keastie, a talented Poverty representative cricketer and footballer in his time, was also a force with club in hand ... “Keast Mode” as he was described when in full flight.
Last year he made his national interprovincial debut for Tairāwhiti and wrote his name into local sporting history with his half against Waikato – that gritty effort saving the province from six 5-0 whitewashes over a brutal week.
Keastie loved it.
“We came together as a team, enjoyed each other’s company - that’s the cool thing about it,” he said, adding that he would “absolutely” do it again.
“I just want to keep going, keep improving ...”
He also played a pivotal role alongside close friend Reece Witters in Poverty Bay’s interclub pennants campaigns – a brotherhood of likeminded players, which gave rise to the “Linksmen”.
A Facebook message on August 28 underlined the passion he had for the Poverty Bay Open and his club.
“You’ve probably seen this already,” he wrote. “Really cool feature of the POB [Poverty Bay Open] entrants this year being dads and teenage sons. Bloody proud of this and speaks to the culture around the event/club ...”
The life of Keastie will be celebrated at the House of Breakthrough from 1.30pm on Thursday. He will be laid to rest at Taruheru Cemetery.
A Linksman to the end.