Last year’s ‘Cockies & Tradies Golf Tournament’ made $140,000 for Melanoma New Zealand and Dunstan Hospital, with the third event teeing off on October 3.

When local plumber Chris Flannery was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic melanoma in 2019, he missed the social side of work and sport, and the tournament gave him some purpose.  

He also wanted to turn his experience into a way to raise awareness of melanoma, and support others affected by the disease.

Chris and his family will host the tournament at the Alexandra Golf Club, with free spot checks onsite as well.

“It’s something positive that I hope makes a difference in our community,” he said.

Chris grew up in a farming family in Central Otago and played representative rugby and cricket.

Telling his kids he had cancer was something he’ll never forget, he said, “but we just had to keep going, no matter what.”

Chris’s wife Nicola Jones said he caught up with the oncologist last week, and there had been no new tumours, so Chris was now off treatment. “Looks like the Ipi (Ipilimumab) did the job,” she said.

Chris described his treatment (a combination of Keytruda and Ipilimumab, radiotherapy and surgery) as a game changer.

A key part of his treatment has been the care he received at Dunstan Hospital, allowing him to undergo treatment locally, without the need for regular travel to larger centres. 

“Staying in Alexandra, driving myself to appointments, and maintaining some independence made a world of difference.”

Proceeds from the October golf event will specifically help expand outreach in rural areas, and increase access to free skin checks and support services.

The melanoma van will also be at Pioneer Park after 1pm on Friday October 3rd for anyone in the community to get any spots checked. 

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