Half-a-century of links on the links

IT was an evening full of wonderful stories, yarns and memories when members of Creswick Golf Club gathered recently to recognise major milestones.

Eight members received a certificate and gift to acknowledge their 50 years with the club.

In the absence of president Russell Cartledge due to illness, captain Tim Kelly and committee member Brian Anstey presented each of the recipients with a certificate and wood cover, embroidered with the club’s logo, their name and 50-year membership.

The recipients were Ian Huntley, Beth Huntley, Tim Kelly, Pat Tacey, Kevin Atkinson, Heather Pearse, Rob Crocker, and Betty Kelly and Rob Coulson – with the latter two unable to attend.

Each had a story to tell, from Heather Pearse winning A Grade pennant with Beth Huntley to Kevin Atkinson starting at Creswick as a means of getting out of going to Trades Hall when he was an apprentice.

Rob Crocker said he preferred the friendly atmosphere at Creswick, while Tim Kelly’s mum Betty, who turns 93 next week, brought him to play golf as a kid of nine and he’s been a member ever since.

Pat Tacey remembered golfers such as Ian Huntley setting the tone for golf etiquette with the younger players.

Beth Huntley started playing when she met Ian and vowed she would not be a golf widow and became an excellent golfer.

Though Ian Huntley received a 50-year certificate he began playing 70 years ago and is one of nature’s true gentleman, remembering when men played in collar and tie and there was a membership of 500 players.

While the lively conversation went long into the evening, the last word goes to Huntley who said that if was the fellowship of the club that keeps it going and he is confident that with the support of RACV Goldfields golf will be played at Creswick Golf Club for many years to come.