Tamborine Mountain Veteran Golfers

                                                                                         Golf Course Rd.       

                                                                                                   Mt. Tamborine

                                                                                                     QLD    4272

      Brief History of TMVG

   By

    Garth Thorsborne

   With the 20^th anniversary of the start of the TMVG in August this year it’s worth looking back on how it all happened.

   By August 1986 a number of mountain residents used to meet for a social 9 holes. Over drinks later they decided to try to form a veterans group. A few of these involved had been involved in veterans golf elsewhere. Discussions were held with the main club and it was agreed that Wednesday morning would be a suitable time to be allocated for such competitions.

 The original members were: George Curtis, Jack Damon, Ted Davies, Bert Dawkins, Geoffrey Farley-Davies,

    Ernie Hallett,  Keith Hallett and John Julius.

   They were soon joined by others and the first elected executive was:

         President                                    John Julius

         Captain & Secretary                         Don Stewart  

         Treasurer                                    Ernie Hallett

   To be accredited by the Queensland Veterans Golf Union a minimum of 20 members was required so some early word of mouth went on. Soon the required number was reached and the QVGU accepted the group and placed them in the Fassifern District which included Beaudesert and Boonah.

   The first competitions were 9 hole events as it was thought that a full 18 holes was too tough for older players. By 1988 this was extended to 12 holes (finishing at the Clubhouse). By 1990 the present 18 hole competitions had started, principally because it was too hard to handicap on 12 holes.

   New members came along regularly and the group grew from strength to strength. In the early years they called a halt to the competitive season on the second Wednesday in December. There was a 9 hole event that day followed by a Christmas lunch prepared by the wives of the members. The next season started on the first Wednesday in February.

   What happened during the break was that 15-20 players with withdrawal symptoms would turn up at the Club, put in a  couple of dollars each, buy a few balls (from behind the bar- no pro shop then) and play for them.

   Summer 1991/92 saw the Secretary accept reality and programme straight through. As a matter of interest our first 50+ field was during the “silly season”.

   From 1990 on we had Fassifern District Shield days with our other two clubs and we won our share of these. Two were played at each club per year. Our members Jack Damon, Phil Salisbury & Garth Thorsborne represented the District at QVGU meetings at Oxley in Brisbane.

   We also had close ties with Terranorra Country Club Vets from the early days. A few years on we played them once a year at each course for the Tamborine- Terranorra Shield. This ceased when Terranorra closed down. Several of our members were also members of Terranorra Vets and played there regularly. This produced one memorable moment when the Terranorra President asked one of our members who was also a member down there who he was playing for. The reply was “if I play well I’m playing for Tamborine, if I play poorly I’m playing for you!”

   In later years the QVGU saw fit to transfer us to the Northern Gold Coast District. This linked us with Parkwood, Emerald Lakes, Tallebudgera and Gold Coast Country Club. It seems that Arundel and Boomerang Farm may be added to the list. Our name is on the Shield more than any other club.

   We have had many “away” games at various clubs as social games. Murwillumbah featured for a while and Gainsborough Greens has become a favourite.

   Our “Major” events- the Honour Board events- started early. In 1987 the Vets competed for the Medal of Medals and the Bert Dawkins Trophy, a two round stableford competition (as it is to this day).In 1990 the Veterans Cup was added to the programme. This is a two round stroke event played off handicaps. In 1993, after strong representations at a Committee level by the late Tom Stone the Championship, a gross stroke event also over two rounds was added. Our other significant event (should we say the “5^th Major” ) was initiated by ex President Doug Jones in 1992. Doug donated the hansome trophy. This is the matchplay, played on other than competition days from May to October.

   The Vets have provided a wonderful voluntary workforce for the Tamborine Mountain Golf Club, helping with many special tasks.

   The Committee has seen fit to create five Life Memberships. These were to the late John Julius and the late Ernie Hallett for their outstanding work in the establishment of the group and their long lasting efforts on behalf of our Vets – even when they could no longer play golf.

  Jack Damon, another “founding father” was made a Life Member for his Committee work and particularly for his efforts on Shield days when he would arrive early, rake bunkers, put out NTP markers, lay out cords for accurate drives and do any other preparatory work. He also raised many hundreds of dollars for the Vets through his huge sales of raffle tickets. He also served as a delegate to the QVGU.

  The fourth Life Member created was Garth Thorsborne. This was for his extensive work as Secretary and Handicapper for the Vets. He initiated and produced the Newsletter and kept the eclectic, doing all the work on it. He organised programmes both for us and the District and served as delegate to the QVGU.

  The fifth Life Member was Elton Staffsmith, also a Life Member of the Main Club. Elton was well known as a founder, builder and long term benefactor of the Club before he joined the Vets on retirement from work. He took on the onerous duty of Treasurer for many years and saw the group to a sound financial footing.

  The most recent Life Member appointed was John Richardson. This award recognised his long service with the Vets, his support of all interclub events over many years, his continued appearance at working bees and his efforts to prepare the scoreboard for a succession of Captains.

  Alan Rosser is the long time Patron of the Vets. His Patrons Day competition is a very big money raiser for the Cancer Fund.

   While we have all become accustomed to the present daily trophies, it is worth mention that each member used to provide a trophy (maximum value $30) and present it on his (named) trophy day.

   Socially one big change has been with the Christmas party. An early President, the late Peter McManus, convinced the Committee that we could afford a catered, sit-down dinner with wives included. This has become the highlight of the year.

   Now let’s look at personnel. Executive Officers of the group have included:

Presidents:  John Julius, Peter McManus, (both dec’d) Doug Jones, Bryan Hazel, Garth Thorsborne, Dick Hart, Nev Goodrick, Geoff Wallace and Ted Ashe.

Captains: Don Stewart, Geoff Oates, (both dec’d) Phil Salisbury, Terry Luckett, Bob Mortlock, Peter Morris and Peter Clark.

Secretaries: Don Stewart, Garth Thorsborne, Mike Bell, Bryan Hazell, Nev Goodrick,Patrick Thorne and Kerry Castree.

Treasurers: Ernie Hallet, Doug Jones, Elton Staffsmith and Dick Jones

  Earlier I listed the “founding fathers”. I had intended to work through our list of members down the years but one look at the list showed that this was totally impractical.

   What I’ll do instead is look at other members you know, who were on the scene early and are still here.

   John Richardson was the earliest, followed by Phil Salisbury, John Johnstone, Graeme French, David Rankin and Garth Thorsborne up to the end of 1988.

   The ladies membership in the last couple of years has fluctuated.

   We also had our share of interstate members, the first of whom was a Victorian, Ken Pulling, who had a unit on the Coast and came up each winter. John Baker from Queanbeyan has been a winter visitor for several years. Our international from Amsterdam, Arno Haan is also a regular.

  So that brings us to 2006 – twenty great years down and lots more to go.