Goulburn Golf Club

Some Personalities Past and Present

 

Contributed  by  Bruce  Coombes

First the tall poppies, two of the presidents. Bert Towns must have been playing longer than most and his philosophy has always been that golf is a game to be savoured so shouldn't be rushed. Good advice, particularly when some of us have so many shots to count. Not only is Bert a competent golfer but he also has a remarkable memory for funny stories that make a round with him most enjoyable.

As for workers for the club and on the course, there have always been willing members. When Keith Sharp (Sharpie) was secretary manager he didn't confine his activity to the clubhouse but could often be seen out on a tractor or a mower. More recently Boyd Cook, Bruce Critchlow, Mal Smith, Perry Webb, Reg 0'Brien, David Cooper, Geoff & Dot Baxter, amongst other have all given much time and labour on the course.

Then there was Dr Bill McCarthy, who was a perfectionist if ever I met one, both on the course and at his chosen profession.r Bill was happy to give advice but only if you asked for it. If he was quiet you knew him game was not going well. You could com­pliment him on a shot but he would always insist there was something wrong with it and it could have been better. he gave the game stead concentration and one wonder how that was possible when he played with comedians like Mick Bissaker and Cliff Booth. Anyway they all enjoyed their golf in different ways.

Other good friends of Dr Bill, were John Harley, "Cracker" Collins, Mick McGuigan, Peter Pidoux, Don Chalker, Met Leary, John Powell and Mick Williams. Jolly good company all of them and a great time was had by all when they went off to country week or the long Reef weekend. It would probably have been worth having shares in Tooheys Brewery in those days.

Another character of that era was the redoubtable Ron McLaughlin who apparently gained fame for driving into the Mulwaree on several occasions when he missed the bridge. Other unnamed members of that era were also reputed to have driven through the railway gates, amazingly without serious con­sequences.

Mention should also be made of Cyril Brown and the 15th hole. On one occasion he "holed out" with a somewhat less than spectacular shot, so the very next time he played the hole he announced to his companions he would do it properly with a six iron. Sure enough he achieved the second "ace" just as he had predicted. Cyril was another happy-go-lucky character who has enlivened the Goulburn Club.

"Dad's Army" was another famous combination of Jim Byrne (age 84), Cec Divall (age 79), Allan Rosewarne (age 78) and Bob Burling (age 74) who played regularly and always walked the dis­tance. Allan Rosewarne is well remembered for his ability to find lost balls and tees. He is reputed to have had multiple jam jars full of tees that he was happy to give to his friends. Cec Divall is remembered for his expression "It's not right you know" which he would state emphatically when players on long handicaps happened to par a hole.

Nowadays there's a new "Dad's Army" of Bob Payne, Jack Plews, Edgar Southwell and Ron Goddard. Occasional reservists Barry Oehm, Ron Bennett and Bruce Coombes are privileged to join them from time to time. Bob Payne of course is the Patron of the Club and always has been active in its affairs. He plays a steady fame and is rarely off the middle of the fairway with approach shots that are the envy of all who play with him. Jack Plews also plays a fair game and there is friendly rivalry with Bob, who reckons Jack could talk through wet cement on any subject you care to mention.

Talking of "Talkers" the name of Don Elder springs to mind, but that is probably reasonable for a solicitor. Nevertheless it's sometimes a worry when he tells his partner that he had no right to hit while he was still talking. Come to think of it that could also apply to fellows playing several fairways away. A couple of worthy "runners-up" in this class would probably be Ray Souden and Lyle Walker, but they would probably deny it. In any event they are all god blokes to play with.

Now all golfers have to know the "Rules of Golf " but there have been two particular gentlemen who have earned some notoriety for their detailed knowledge of said rules. They are Frank Chattaway and his old sparring partner Les Dixon, who must have had some animated discussions on their interpreta­tions of them. Needless to say anyone lucky enough to play a round with them would have always learnt something new about the game. Two such fellows were Kevin Granger and Ray Leeson who joined them on a yearly pilgrimage for a week of golf at Orange. Apparently this was both an educational and relaxing, if not convivial time. On occasion John Lowe and Lionel Cooper were honoured to be invited along if a replacement was required; One suspects the "younger" fellows gave the two experts a bit of a run for their money.

Back home John Lowe and Ray Leeson, one christened "Lerner & Loewe" by Allan Rosewarne, of ten play together and appear to give the aforementioned talkers a bit of competition. Other members who have often combined in various pairs over the years include Bert Towns, Bob Savage, John Hall, Graham Wright, Ed Southwell, Kevin Granger, Ean Broomfield, Bruce Coombes, Jim 0'Rourke, Trevor Pearson, Peter Carter, Pat Graeber, John Bowen, Harry Renton, Harold Tozer, Ken Buckley, Lyle Walker, Ray Souden, Len Bowden, Mal Smith, Peter Freebody, Len Humphries, as well as various Crokers, Ottaways and Walcotts, to mention but a few. Of course there have been many more of the younger brigade but this is a nostalgia trip! In any event they have always been good company both on and off the course.

Club champions are listed elsewhere in this book but some of these lower markers in recent times have been Dick Smith, Mancell Lee, Norm Woodward, Ross Croker, Ian Bradley, Sam Morrell and others, all of whom were never too proud to play a game with longer markers and still enjoy their golf. This has also held true for the many young players who improve so rapidly and shorten their handicaps; they too area credit to the Goulburn Golf Club.

The Railway Social Club has also been a popular competi­tion for shift workers and retirees. It too provides an avenue for an enjoyable game of golf which need not be taken too serious­ly and is becoming increasingly popular thanks to the hard work and enthusiasm of Harold Tozer. No doubt it is due to his effi­ciency and strong personality that it continues to run smoothly. The "Bradman Ball" is a unique feature and hotly contested by the long markers.

Lastly a special word of appreciation to all members who have served on the Board over the years especially those who took on the role of President. Currently thanks should also go to our Handicapper (Toeclipper) Jim Bensley, Greenkeeper David Potter, Manager Rob Watson and Professional Ian Jones.

Apologies to any stalwarts not mentioned in this short account but it is entitled "Some" Personalities, and I'm sorry about the ladies but I'm too shy to write about them. They too continue to support our club and the best of luck to all of you.