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.

Andrew Baker

Captain (Queensland)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Despite entrants having to endure trips from Nowra and Sydney with less than pleasant driving conditions, e.g. flood, rain & fog, 7 hardy hickory exponents fronted for the event. The course had received 9mm of rain in the previous 24 hours but was in good shape and played accordingly with greens accepting our approach shots, and requiring many repairs to the putting surfaces. The course lived up to its claim as one of the best wet weather venues on the South Coast.

The first 9 holes, we were interrupted by a short shower but for the last 9 the weather was kinder and no rain was experienced. After 9 holes, the scoring revealed  Andrew (our host) leading with 15 points closely followed by Rob Downie on 14, and Tom Moore on 13. The rest of the field ranged from 11 to 4 with first time hickory player Robert Jaeger leading that group. A drink and nourishment seemed to affect some players dramatically with some falling back, others maintaining their scoring & one individual “firing”.

The second 9 holes and the checking of the cards revealed a close finish with Andrew Wilson and Tom Moore with 26 points, Robert Jaeger with 22, Stephen Fletcher with 19, but the leaders had accumulated 27.

The result at the end of 18 holes was a tie on 27 points between Rob Downie and AGHS captain Ross Howard. Between the 11th & 17th holes, a very creditable 18 points were scored by the eventually winner on countback, Captain Ross. Interesting to note that at the match in Wagga on 19th April for the Al Howard Memorial Trophy, Ross had been seconded to play for Victoria, and was defeated by Rob by 7 holes to 5.

So at the end of the day, the son gets to have his name engraved on the father’s trophy (Al Howard’s hickory shafted putter) at Kiama, a course Al redesigned and increased to 18 holes many long years ago. If it was Ross’ driving that helped get him over the line, it should be noted that he learnt to drive Dad’s FE Holden on this very course as it was being redesigned.

Thanks go to Andrew Wilson for organising the event at his home course, and to those who participated. It is pity the numbers were down on previous annual events but the weather no doubt played its part in the attendance. We all look forward to a larger field in 2016.

– Ross Howard

AGHS Captain