IT’S rare that a pennant golf title gets shunted to the background, but that’s what happened at Lalbert Golf Club in recent weeks.
While both Lalbert’s Division 1 and 2 teams made their respective finals of the Northern District Golf Association competition, with the Division 1 team of Adam Laughlin, Chris Mitchell, Brad Kelly, Rick Harding and Doug Meehan taking home the pennant, the achievements of Doug’s father James stole the limelight.
With a victory in the final qualifying round of the competition, which was played at Lalbert, Meehan celebrated 60 years of pennant golf for the club, a remarkable achievement for a man who debuted in pennant golf as a 14-year-old.
Meehan, with a current handicap of just nine, was listed as an emergency for the Division 1 final.
Club captain Dave Doolan told The Guardian there had been no greater contributor to the success of the new NDCA Division 1 premiers than 14-time club champion Meehan.
“He is the golf club – he’s the reason I’m out there playing and he’s the reason the golf club still exists,” Doolan said.
“He’s one of those guys that don’t come around very often, a stalwart of the club that just does everything that needs to be done.
“I’ve only been out at the club for the last 10 years, but he is the Lalbert Golf Club.
“He used to farm the land around the club until he retired and I suppose those are his two passions – farming and golf.”
Meehan, who is a life member of the club, has not only been active on the course, but has also been active off it, with the veteran holding almost all positions within the club, from president right through to club captain.
With wife Robyn, children Doug and Karen, along with his grandchildren all active players and members of the club, Meehan’s passion has become a family affair, with his love of the golf club now spanning generations.
But his status is due in part to his contribution in maintaining the course, according to Doolan.
“He’s not someone who seeks accolades, although he thoroughly deserves them – he always puts in around the club, if he has any spare time, he’ll spend it mowing greens or fairways and he won’t ask anyone to do anything that he can do himself,” Doolan said.
“I’m not sure there’s been anyone who has contributed more to the club, certainly not over a sustained period like James anyway.”
