Couple both life members

Joss Davidson became a life member of the Lawrence Golf Club at the club's 125th anniversary...
Joss Davidson became a life member of the Lawrence Golf Club at the club's 125th anniversary celebrations on Saturday. Her husband, Geoff, has been a life member since 2006. PHOTO: RICHARD DAVISON
The woods might be made of metal nowadays, but after 125 years the spirit of the game remained the same at the Lawrence Golf Club during the weekend.

About 60 past and present members celebrated the anniversary with a range of social and sporting events, which began on Friday night with a gathering for refreshments at its Wetherstons Gully clubhouse.

A nine-hole course noted for its picturesque setting and level fairways, and a straightforward friendly welcome to all had helped the club endure for a century and a-quarter, longest-standing member (since 1971) Geoff Davidson said.

"The club has moved around a bit. Originally, in 1894, it was at the other end of Lawrence, near the wetlands, but came here in 1960. This was just old miners' tailings and the odd miner's hut that you see here, so there's been some work down the years.''

In 2007, the club raised $600,000 for its new clubrooms, and a new groundkeeper's shed was built two years ago.

"We do pretty well. We're about 70 members, so I'd say we'll be here for a few years yet.''

Mr Davidson, a life member since 2006, was joined in that honour by his wife Joss at the weekend.

As club secretary, she said her mind had been focused on organising proceedings, so the presentation of her life membership at a formal dinner on Saturday night was a "huge surprise''.

"I was in utter shock. I only joined after my sister-in-law persuaded me, and that was in 1980. So it's been quite a journey.''

Members gather for the opening of the Lawrence Golf Club house in September 1912. PHOTO: LAWRENCE...
Members gather for the opening of the Lawrence Golf Club house in September 1912. PHOTO: LAWRENCE GOLF CLUB/SUPPLIED
Despite a week of persistent rain preceding the anniversary, she said the weather had played its part for those out on the fairways.

"We've been very lucky. Saturday's round was played in bright sunshine, and we had a few drops for the last few holes on Sunday, before the heavens opened.''

The sun had also smiled on Mrs Davidson's personal performance, after she notched a win in the women's Stableford on Saturday, and a second place in Sunday's three-person Ambrose, against guests from across South Otago.

"It's been a good weekend all round.''

richard.davison@odt.co.nz

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