It’s been a long time – perhaps even a hundred years – since we
had a summer as long and hot as the one we are currently experiencing and,
speaking of a hundred years, reminds me that I have just weathered a whirlwind
of social events connected with my golf club’s centennial year.
Established in 1914, Pupuke is one of the oldest clubs in the
country. Anticipating a week of hi-jinks, I stashed the bathroom scales out of
sight and fortunately can’t now remember where I put them.
Our celebrations began at 7pm when 17 members of the Royal NZ Navy
Pipe & Drum Band marched from the 18th tee, across the fairway to the
clubhouse, where a commemorative plaque was unveiled by our Patron. This was a
re-enactment of an event in the early 1950’s, when a tiny, dilapidated
clubhouse was ceremoniously locked at midnight, a lone Piper led the small band
of rowdy revellers across the course in the dark to where a new building was
equally ceremoniously unlocked and the party continued until the wee, small
hours.
Sharing our Club celebrations was another, world-shattering, event. Well,
I suppose the avid lady golfers of this world would consider it to be that. The
Royal & Ancient Golf Club has for the past 100 years dictated every rule
and regulation for those who attempt to play the game. Their word has been
Gospel never to be queried. This formerly male-only stronghold has finally
agreed ladies are to be admitted as members of St Andrews! Oh to have been a
fly on the wall of the committee room in that historic building when the decision
was hotly debated by elderly Scotsmen in flying Kilts and Sporrans. I would
like to think our own Lydia Ko may have been an influencing factor in bringing
this fuddy duddy outfit into line with how today’s world operates.
Since the game began the dress code changed to allow more
appropriate attire – equipment improved to enable beginners to whack a drive
some 200 metres away – children, such as Lydia Ko was when she began playing at
the age of 6, may now be accepted as junior members of golf clubs but rules
were rules and they’ve changed only marginally – so St Andrews deserves
congratulations - belated congratulations for at last acknowledging that women
do have a place on their hallowed turf.
I finish with some advice from an anonymous ‘veteran’ golfer. ‘By
the time we get to the age when we can afford to buy a new golf ball we can’t
hit the damned thing far enough to lose it!’
Barbara Algie
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