After 30 plus years Geoff Howe is retiring as The Grange Golf Club’s Returning Officer. Geoff has been responsible for many aspects of the Club’s Committee election process and although the role has changed during his time of service, he has been a stable and always the ultimate professional and we will forever be grateful for his wealth of knowledge. We thought this was the perfect opportunity to share Geoff’s story.
Where and when were you born?
Born in Frankston, Victoria on 18th July 1944. Dad was stationed at Portsea Victoria during part of the War as an Instructor, so Mum relocated to Victoria for 6 weeks and then she and I came back to Adelaide two weeks after my birth.
Where did you go to primary school? High school? University?
I was educated at Challa Gardens Primary School and then attended Woodville High School and matriculated after retaining my leaving certificate.
What was your profession and where did you work?
I commenced work as a clerk in the insurance industry at the age of 17 and enjoyed working directly with the company clients to such an extent and I was appointed as the youngest outdoor employee at the age of 21. In 1982 I commenced my own advisory business in Kent Town and remained in that role for the rest of my working life. I retired in 1996 but still acting as a consultant for a number of clients.
Do you have any children?
I have a son and daughter – my son, Tim was a doctor but unfortunately passed away at the age of 35 years of age with brain cancer after a two-year battle. My daughter Louise lives in Perth and has made me a grandpa with Jackson who is now 12.
When did you start playing golf?
I started hitting golf balls at the age of 15, thanks to my uncle Bill Sage who gave me some of his clubs and I fell in love with the game straight away.
What attracted you to join The Grange Golf Club?
My father Jack Howe was a Life Member at Grange and signed me up as a preferred junior at the age of 16 in 1960. The fees at that time were set at 10 pounds a year, which was $20.00. There were only 20 preferred juniors allowed at that time so it was a big deal for me to get in. My mother Beryl Howe was also a member and became the Women’s President and was part of the Club for 66 years.
How did you become The Grange’s Returning Officer?
From the age of 17, I would help my father prepare the notices for the members fee, whereby he would type up an account and my part was putting stamps on the envelopes and sending them out. I would hasten to add that staff was low during those times, so senior people would all assist wherever they could and our Club has now grown to the size it currently is. Upon the death of my father some 35 years ago, I was asked by the Club to become the Returning Officer.
What has been the biggest change you have seen at Grange during your time at the Club?
The biggest change I have seen was when built the second course with the East Course opening in 1967. There is no doubt in my mind that our Club is high up and remains continually in the top sections of golf in Australia. We have always been blessed in having fine Presidents, most of which were business managers in their own employment. As the years have gone by I have seen a lot of changes as we continue to go forward and remain strong with good management, so much so with not one but two courses.
What is your most memorable moment at The Grange?
I scored a Hole in One on the old 3rd hole on the East Course around 40 years ago. Back then we had an Eagles Nest upstairs which the Club put in 2 golf balls each week. If you achieved a Hole in On in the Saturday competition you would win the balls in the nest and 62 balls had accumulated to this famous day. I had a good day in the Sprig Bar until 4:00pm that afternoon.
Are they any funny stories from your time at Grange that you want to share?
Whilst there are a few funny stories I could tell, the one I always laugh at happened many years ago before more liberal drinking laws were in place and some members would line up drinks on the bar so they could stay longer. This particular member was not terribly fit, so he always used a cart and one evening he stayed on as usual with his mates and his routine was then to drive home through the course as his home was adjacent to the 6th green West. Several hours went by before his wife rang to find out where he was. The police were called, other members went looking in the general area without success and then he was eventually found lying in the 15th greenside bunker upside down singing with the buggy on top of him. Needless to say for some considerable time after he was home early.
We would like to thank Geoff for his valuable time as Returning Officer of The Grange Golf Club and for letting us tell his story.