Golf: Simon Pearce rewarded for service

LIFER: For his deeds Simon Pearce is in for life.PHOTO/SUPPLIED

FIFTY years of hands-on involvement with the Wanganui Golf Club has earned the affable Simon Pearce life membership.

His enthusiasm over the half century has been evident throughout, but documentation of his hands-on approach began when he became chairman of the committee in 1989 and 1990 and president in 1991.

He offered his retirement from that position, but was re-elected by acclamation until 1995, making him the longest serving president, an honour shared only by H B Watson in 1911.

During his years on the committee Pearce and fellow member Ray Morris organised many "Chicken Days" when there were no other events planned and raised significant profits for the club.

He organised many tournaments to provide profit for the club. For example the "Phoenix rising from the Ashes" and Tuesday Twilight days to name just a few.

1994 was an immense year for the club, being the Centennial year, and was celebrated in great style by all members and visitors.

Pearce was presented with a silver salver embossed with the Centennial Logo to acknowledge the huge contribution he had made to the success of that year. He also wrote the Introduction "One Hundred Years On" to the Centennial Book.

Current club president Neil Hooker said 1994 was also the year the club hosted the Tower Inter-provincial tournament.

"Simon was the tournament convenor, and was the only person in the club to hold that position and be president in the same year," Hooker said.

"In 1994 the club spent a great amount of money on centennial celebrations, ran two premiere tournaments (the Tower and the NZ Ladies Open), made-over the course and rebuilt bunkers.

"It also purchased two new mowers and still showed a $20,000 profit.

Other members on the board at this time were Fred Millward and Alan Skilton, both now life members.

"Simon returned to the committee for three further terms, acted as course marshall for four years, men's vice-Captain for a year, and once again served on the board."

Pearce was a member of the board when the club developed its constitution in 1991 and was a member of the committee that developed the current rules of the club.

Simon recently tendered his resignation from the club due to ill health and summed up his contribution to the club thus.

"After more than 50 years of membership and many years of participation in the governance of the club, in roles of president, committee chair, board of governance, as course Marshall, tournament convener, rules setting committee (twice), handicapping and most of all my great contributions to the profit of the club through the bar account, I like to say I stand down with my best wishes for the future of our great club."