Centenary Launch Day
Our Centenary got off to a great start on Sunday, 26 February with 330 Members and Special Guests attending this event. It all started with the Centenary Speed Relay and after some words of wisdom from the respective Team Leaders the Captain and his team took to dismantling the President’s team to take home the trophy by over 5 minutes. Click here to view the Speed Relay video.
Following this event, we headed to the 1st Tee and with the sun beating down on the gathering crowd shade was a premium with everyone seeking a touch of shelter prior to the Opening Ceremony taking place. At the stroke of 11.30am Sue Fabian welcomed everyone to the Club and called upon Club President, Michael Rowan, to deliver his speech, a copy of this can be found by clicking here.
With the absence through illness of the NSW Governor the unveiling of the Centenary Plaque was handed over to Wendy and Scott Gresham who were representing Life Member, Tony Gresham. Following this Julian Leeser MP raised the Centenary Flag, unveiled the Centenary Clock plaque and delivered a wonderful speech about Club and Community.
Our longest serving male and female members, being John Duckworth and Shirley Baker, took centre stage to cut the Centenary cake, pictured above. Following this we heard from Stuart Fraser, CEO Golf NSW who presented the Club with a Centenary Gift, Chair of Golf NSW Michael Medway who launched the fabulous Centenary Book and Philip Ruddock, Hornsby Mayor who delivered a toast to the Club.
When all was said and done our Official Party and Guests entered the Beecroft Room for a sit-down lunch with Members and Guests heading into the Bar to enjoy a sumptuous buffet and a little vino.
It was a wonderful day and our thanks must go to the Centenary Committee, led by Jenny Harvey and to our team of dedicated staff who “aced” this event.
President’s Address
Mr Julian Lesser, Federal Member for Berowra,
The Honourable Philip Ruddock, Mayor of Hornsby Shire Council,
Mr Michael Medway, Chairman of Golf NSW and Stuart Frazer, Chief Executive of Golf NSW,
Mr Scott Gresham representing his father and Wendy Gresham also representing her husband Mr Tony Gresham AO and Life Member of Pennant Hills Golf Club,
Members and friends of the Club.
Let me repeat Sue’s welcome to you all here today. The large crowd and the company of our distinguished guests reflect the warmth and respect that Pennant Hills Golf Club is held in.
A small number of hard working people have planned and managed the arrangements for our Centenary and today, the launch day, begins a year of celebration. I am sure that they are relieved that today has finally arrived, that so many people are here, that the weather is so good, and that the celebrations are underway in such a spectacular fashion.
Centenary Launch Gallery
Julian Leeser MP – Speech in House of Representatives
Mr LEESER (Berowra) (13:46): I recently spoke at the centenary of the Pennant Hills Golf Club. I raised the centenary flag and dedicated the centenary clock tower.
The golf club is something extraordinary. The clubhouse was opened in 1939 with socials and dances. Then war hit, and part of the clubhouse was requisitioned by the military. The club has endured wars, droughts and developments and changes in the community. It’s a club that produced Australia’s best amateur golfer, Tony Gresham. It’s endured because people believed in creating not only a course but a community and an oasis in an expanding city.
Almost a quarter of a century ago, Robert Putnam wrote his famous book Bowling Alone, which highlighted the decline in community organisations—people being too busy for community and too busy to volunteer. This club has defied that. Since 1923, the average length of club membership has been 25 years. There can’t be many institutions that can boast of such longevity among members. Some members have been there much longer, like John Duckworth a member for 75 years and Shirley Baker, a member for 70 years.
The centenary celebrations include the publication of the fourth history of the club by Joan Isles, a luncheon, a gala ball, official ceremonies and many rounds of golf. The club has a foundation and is planning further expansion by renovating its pro shop. I want to acknowledge the leadership of the club: President Michael Rowan; Vice President Suzanne Fabian; Captain Damian Maguire; Treasurer David Blackshaw, General Manager Barnaby Sumner; chair of the foundation Ross Jackson; Graeme Martin; Ray Dearlove and everyone involved in the centenary celebrations. Happy centenary.
