On the afternoon of Friday 26 June, the Australian Golf Heritage Society Queensland Chapter played its mid-year event. A strong field of eleven played a nine hole stableford competition over the front nine at Royal Queensland Golf Club in perfect winter conditions.
The event was solidly won by left-handed maestro Ross Bishop with 18 points off a handicap of 9. Runner-up on a countback (with a birdie on the final hole) was Ralph Heading with 17 stableford points off a handicap of +1. Unlucky to place third was AGHS Secretary Ross Haslam with 17 points off a handicap of 11.
The quality of hickory play in Queensland continues to improve and we look forward to our major event for the year on Friday 24 July—an 18 hole event that runs in conjunction with the Royal Queensland Golf Club Hickory Championship.
On the afternoon of Friday 29 May, a small but elite field of seven Queensland Chapter members played a nine hole stableford competition over the front nine at Royal Queensland Golf Club.
The event was won by Arthur O’Shea with 17 stableford points from a handicap of 11. Arthur’s new set of hickories – comprising matching flanged irons acquired from Ross Baker at Barnbougle – immediately repaid his investment in their first competition outing; the nickname ‘Flange’ O’Shea may catch on.
Runner-up with 15 points was former AGHS Queensland Chapter Secretary Rob King-Scott, and third with 13 points was Andrew Baker.
Some of our regular players were unavailable on this occasion due to a programming clash with an inter-club event, while a number of others were enjoying their golf – and other summer delights – in Europe and North America.
In the two weeks leading up to the 2015 J. J. Paine Event, R.A.A.F. Richmond – parts of which are less than a kilometre from the Windsor Country Golf Club – reported receiving just over 280mm of rain. There was still an impressive flow of water in Rickabys Creek on Monday 4th May, but the gently undulating nature of the Windsor course meant that only the lowest parts of the layout were still holding casual water. The remainder of the course was – as usual – very well presented.
2015 J. J. Paine – Participants assembled on the 10th tee (click to enlarge)
After an excellent ‘dainty tea’ on the verandah, there were 22 players ready to face the starter. Fourteen were members of the Windsor club, two from just down the road at Richmond, two from Castle Hill, and a contingent of four from the Australian Golf Heritage Society. The gentleman’s event was contested by 16 players, and six players vied for the lady’s title.
2015 J. J. Paine – a picture of concentration (click to enlarge)
The winner of the scratch event was A.G.H.S. stalwart Tony Doggett, on a countback from Christopher Dehn, Windsor vice-president Rod Hartas, and Alan McDonald, an A.G.H.S. member whose number of hickory games is still in single figures.
The handicap section of the event was secured by John Marsden. The 18th hole is usually critical in determining the winner and John proved this when he sank a long, downhill putt from well off the back of the last green.
Margaret Graves, who thought that she had no chance of winning, prevailed in the ladies section.
2015 J. J. Paine winners (l-r) – John Marsden, Margaret Graves & Tony Doggett (click to enlarge)
Once the golfers had completed the nine holes, and lunch had been taken, Windsor captain Trevor Bartley welcomed the honoured guests, including Christopher Paine (grandson of J. J. Paine) and his wife Sue; six representatives from the Hawkesbury Historical Society including President, Dr Ian Jack, and two members of the Kurrajong Historical Society.
Rod Hartas then introduced Carol Carruthers, who spoke on the history of the Dick family which included Marion, who became both Mrs J. J. Paine in 1891, and the President of the Windsor Golf Club in 1905. Christopher Paine added considerably to the presentation by sharing additional information that only a family member could know.
2015 J. J. Paine – Putting out on the 18th (click to enlarge)
The “J. J. Paine” is always exceptionally well organised and run. The Windsor course lends itself well to hickory play, and the format of the day ensures that those participating are, in turn, welcomed, challenged, entertained, and informed. In his closing address, Barry Leithhead emphasised the role of the club golfer in creating and maintaining the history of the game – events such as this epitomise the fulfilment of that role.
