Don McDonald (49), former club president, asset manager and the manager of the club's $400,000 upgrade, was without warning made a life member of the Cromwell Community Squash Club.
At the annual meeting on Saturday on behalf of the committee, member Jackie Hamilton nominated him as a candidate for life membership: ''There is no worthier candidate for life membership than Don.''
Club president for six years, he was always focused on strategic planning. Mr McDonald reinvigorated Friday night squash social nights and travelled to tournaments all over Otago and Southland, encouraging clubs to bring groups back to the Cromwell tournament, she said.
He promoted Cromwell on a national level by making many trips away to Superchamps as well as pushing the sport at junior level.
''When other members of the club have a break over the summer and don't venture into the courts, Don does. He found some backpackers living in the changing rooms a couple of years ago and moved them on,'' Mrs Hamilton said.
She described him as ''dogged and determined, stubborn but driven, passionate and dedicated''. Mr McDonald led the upgrade project every step of the way, meeting a tight deadline so the club could host the Superchamps tournament in September.
Cromwell Community Board chairman Neil Gillespie noted the local body elections were next year.
''With your fundraising skills and expertise, I think your community needs you in local government,'' he told Mr McDonald.
