Taumarunui’s Bev McLean at the Cambridge Golf Club 125th anniversary
Bev McLean loves organising events and her latest one – the Cambridge Golf Club 125th anniversary – was another success.
Betty Harvey, 91, who recently won the club’s nine-hole shootout competition with life member Harley Bowler cutting the jubilee cake -made by club caterer Tania Zeuren – at Cambridge Golf Club’s 125th anniversary. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Everything went to plan except for the downpour that struck the 90 golfers early in their rounds on Saturday.
“The weather is the only thing I can’t control,” said the Te Awamutu born, King Country raised retiree.
Bev moved to Cambridge in November 2019 and joined Waikato oldest golf club. She now describes herself as a “keen golfer” after years of playing squash.
Job done well: Bev McLean with a bouquet of flowers given to her by the club for organising the 125th jubilee. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Her passion for organising events began in Taumarunui at the local squash club.
“I like to make things a little bit different. That’s my advice: organise events so you can enjoy them. Make them memorable and fun.”
One of her touches was offering free glasses of bubbly to toast the jubilee.
It proved fitting when, after two long days, Bev finally sat alone in the cleared clubhouse – dishes done, tables packed away – with a well-earned glass of champagne.
And the highlight?
“Just having the clubrooms full and so many people there.”
Deputy mayor Jo Davies-Colley gave the welcoming address and presented tournament prizes.
“It’s clear that this club brings enormous value not only to its members, but to the wider Cambridge community.
“It’s wonderful to have a long-standing club that has, for so many years, provided a place for local people to connect, stay active, make new friendships and settle the odd business deal out there on the fairways.”
Craig Bridgland, who first joined the club 30 years ago as a 13 year old, and was until recently living in Brisbane, won the men’s gross with a 72. Jill Morgan, another to move from Taumarunui to play golf in Cambridge, shot 75 to win the women’s gross.
No one managed a hole-in-one at the par three eighth hole, so the prize car stays at Ebbett The Base showroom. Across the four par threes, only four golfers landed inside the circle around the pin: Jeanette Boswell, Terry Scott, Lesley McGovern, and Harvey Thomas. Jane Potter and Steven Morton scored the most stableford points.
Founded in 1900 with a nine-hole course north of Cambridge, the club moved to its current Tīrau Road site in 1924 and expanded to 18 holes by 1931.
Golfers looking for a lost golf ball at the Cambridge golf links, “The New Zealand Graphic and Ladies Journal”, 5 October 1910, p.32 Source: Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections NZG-19101005-0032-02
Betty Harvey, 91, who recently won the club’s nine-hole shootout competition with life member Harley Bowler cutting the jubilee cake -made by club caterer Tania Zeuren – at Cambridge Golf Club’s 125th anniversary. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
