NSW Golf loses one of its greatest and most loyal servants
HE didn’t just play the game of golf . . . he lived it, studied it, argued for [and occasionally even against] it, ran it and loved it more than most.
Certainly, golf lost one of its greatest and most loyal servants last month with the passing of Bruce Nairn.
The 91-year-old had long retired from both playing and the many posts he held in the game but his observations and views on how it should be run in this country were as sharp as ever.
And I’m happy to report I was one of quite a few he would telephone to pass on his thoughts on the game.
He and former executive director of Golf NSW David Allen, the late Max Madgwick and I travelled the length and breadth of NSW meeting club presidents and captains and touring their courses.
We covered a different region of the state each year and Bruce later relayed they were some of his happiest moments in the game, and not just because he had a captive audience as he regaled us with tales of his highs and lows running the amateur game in the Premier State.
“Bruce taught me what life, loyalty and friendship in New South Wales meant (even if it was only because we Victorians did fight on their side in the war),” Allen told Inside Golf.
Former NSWGA president Stuart Cox explained that Bruce’s prowess as a golfer was well documented.
A fine player in his own right, Bruce Nairn won Club Championships at both the Bonnie Doon and Bexley Golf Clubs.
“So were his skills as a team manager and selector over many very successful years,” said Cox.
“He was a firm but fair leader in these areas and he gained great respect from fellow administrators and players as a result.
“One of the things I admired most in him while we were together at NSWGA was his foresight in realising the finances of the organisation were, politely, underwhelming.
“Along with David Allen he stopped “hiding cheques in the top drawer” and set about remodelling the fiscal side of things so we could do more where needed, when needed.
“It was not immediately popular but one look at the Golf NSW balance sheet today is evidence that it was the smart policy to pursue.”
“Personally, I’ll miss his friendship and wisdom.”
Nairn was President of Bonnie Doon Golf Club, the NSW Golf Association, Australian Golf Union and The Australian Golf Heritage Society.
And in all organisations, he made significant improvements, which left them in a better state than when he took over.
His contribution was recognised with life membership at Bonnie Doon and Bexley Golf Clubs, Golf NSW as well as being awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for his contributions to the game.
He was for many years a State and National Selector and managed many teams such as the Eisenhower Cup team, which won in 1996.
His knowledge of all potential players from the young kids to the older players was exceptional.
He could quote their scores going back years and always had an eye for potential stars.
Bruce’s good friend Les Browne gave a lovely eulogy at the funeral as he pointed out that Bruce had won the New South Wales Foursomes Championship three times — in 1962, 1964 and again in 1980.
He also won the Vardon Trophy in 1965 and represented New South Wales in the Interstate Series – including leading the winning team in 1962.
Bruce Nairns leads out an Australian Eisenhower Cup team.
“At club level his record was just as impressive,” said Browne.
“He was a five-time Club Champion at Bexley. And later a seven-time Club Champion at Bonnie Doon.
“Bruce liked to remind people, occasionally, that he had never lost a club championship final.
“And his golf ball finding was legendary: on one team trial at Camden Lakeside, where the rough and snakes were prevalent, in the debrief Dimmi Papadatos said: “Bruce, how many balls did you and Les find out there today?” …
“12 was the answer”
“Dimmi said: “that’s not many.”
“It was 12 dozen,” grinned Bruce.
“But if you asked Bruce what mattered most, I suspect he would say it was the friendships he made and the players he helped along the way.
“As well as the chance to stay involved in the game he loved.”
Bruce Nairn leaves behind a remarkable legacy in Australian golf, thanks to the enormous amount of time and energy he gave to the game he loved.
The post VALE: Bruce Nairn first appeared on Inside Golf. Australia's Most-Read Golf Magazine as named by Australian Golfers - FREE.
Article Link: https://www.insidegolf.com.au/people/vale-bruce-nairn/