50 Year Membership Recognition 2019

Congratulations to the following members who have been awarded 50 years continuous membership with the Club, thank you for your support over the years.

Pat Ryan

Pat joined the Club April 1969. He was in his early 30’s. Pat has been the proud sponsor of the Pat Ryan Trophy for over 45 year and thinks it’s excellent that so many people come out and play the game he loves. Pat plays golf for good company, cold beers and some exercise

Pat Ryan accepting his trophy from Life Member Matt Martin

Neville Haworth

Neville joined the club in late 1969. He was in his mid-20’s, the course was only 18 holes at the time. His family has a long history with the Club, Ross, his brother is already a 50-year member and their father played golf until he was 94. Neville was a C-grade champion, he has a hole in one and a couple of eagles to his name. Nev plays golf because he loves the game and the friendships he has made over the years.

Neville Haworth accepting his trophy from Life Member Ken Gibson

Ian Llewellyn

Early Days;
My first memories of Coffs Harbour golf club were as a 4 or 5-year-old whilst at Coffs Harbour Primary School. We would walk from Salamdar St to as I can vaguely remember as small fibro building which I believe was the club house which is basically what now is Raleigh St.

As a 12-year old, word got around that some of our friends were participating in golf. As was the case in those days my aunt who lived in Carlingford, Sydney, would have us for a couple of the weeks of the Christmas holidays. One day after running out of things for us to do she pulled out an old leather bag and about 5 golf clubs and put my brother and I out the front and pointed us in the direction of north to the Rocks Golf Club. She said to Come home when it becomes dark.

On returning home we became members of the Coffs Harbour Golf Club, my father was able to source a mixed matched set of 4 golf clubs and an old leather bag, that was the start of a long relationship with golf. We were able to join as sub juniors as we only had 1 set of clubs. My brother Robert and I had to play with each other, every time we played golf. Charlie Byrnes and Col Cutmore were instrumental in fostering sub junior and junior golf in that time. Passing on knowledge and encouragement. We gained a lot from caddying for members as for the etiquette and rules of golf, but most importantly the 5 shillings that we earned.
Junior golf was very strong in those days with quite a number of girls and boys participating the highlight would be the visit of the likes of Eric Cremin and Norman VonNida known as the Von, they would conduct exhibitions and clinics. Movies would be screened of golf tournaments sponsored by WD and HO Wills and always much anticipated.

There were a couple of pros that came to the Club but didn’t stay long. Eddie Emerson came from Royal Sydney as an 18-year-old in 1960. he was a great teacher and gave his time freely to all. I started to work in the Proshop as a 14-year-old on Saturday after sub junior comp 9 holes. Attending to members and looking after the shop as Eddie would play with members at the end of the field. Sunday afternoons would be left to me to clean the members clubs and lock up after the Sunday comp.

I was very fortunate to have had this experience this early into golf and a real-life experience which has led into a long-lasting friendship.
Many thanks to the board, and Paul McAra for recognizing my 60 years in golf.

Ian Llewellyn accepting his trophy from Life Member Margaret Holloway