Royal Queensland Golf Club Heritage Day Luncheon

Thank you, Mr Gahan, for your kind introduction, and also for the warm welcome you have once again extended to me on this important occasion.

As Governor and Patron of the Royal Queensland Golf Club, it is a pleasure to be part of your annual Heritage Day and participate in the presentation of the Governor’s Trophy, along with three other major awards.

The Royal Queensland Golf Club enjoys longstanding Regal and Vice-Regal links.

Founded in 1920, initially as the Queensland Golf Club, King George V granted the club its Royal Charter in 1921.

It was then Governor-General Lord Henry William Forster who, in the same year, inaugurated the original golf course in the area known as Parker Island.

The old course was rated very highly, with many important championships played there.

Admirably, the Royal Queensland Golf Club has worked hard to stay ‘ahead of the game’.

It is truly impressive what has been achieved since the opening of the new course by then Governor-General Michael Jeffery in 2007.

Continuously growing in the rankings of some of Australia’s most reputable golf magazines, the Royal Queensland Golf Club has become ever more significant as a State sporting venue of prominence.

It is widely recognised that golf has long provided a substantial benefit to the Queensland economy.

At least as important, the sport has made a considerable, positive impact on our health and wellbeing.

Golf teaches people valuable life lessons and principles such as respect, honesty, etiquette and self-discipline – particularly when the ball lies in what can only be described as ‘unintended terrain’.

I’m sure most of you already know this, judging by the broad smiles being shared around the room today, but studies also confirm that those who play golf are generally happier than others – they are in better spirits and have greater social networks on which to call.

For nearly 100 years the Royal Queensland Golf Club has contributed to building a strong and connected community.

I commend you wholeheartedly for your accomplishments and look forward to your Centenary in 2020, which will undoubtedly be yet another highlight in the proud history of this marvellous institution.

For now, I extend my sincere congratulations to the winners of this year’s awards, which I am pleased to present in just a few moments.

Thank you.