Inaugural Ballina Pro-Am winner was made of the right stuff

June 19, 2008

John Kuhn knew he was watching someone special when he partnered a young Queensland professional in the inaugural Ballina Golf Club Pro-Am in 1976.

“He may have been only 21, but he was 35 up here,” says John, tapping his temple.

The 21-year-old Queensland pro carded a par round of 73 (the par at Ballina now is 72) to win the $1000 tournament.

It was only his second pro tournament win, but his performance that day was all class and, as John Kuhn points out, he showed maturity beyond his years.

“It was a cow of a day,” John, of Ballina, said.

The wind was a howling northerly; it was so strong that the Queenslander hit an eight-iron second shot into the long par-five 13th hole at Ballina.

The young pro’s name?

It was Greg Norman, a fresh new face on the pro ranks, but a man about to make the biggest impression on the Australian golf scene since Peter Thomson, winner of five British Open titles from 1954 until 1965.

The Shark’s heroics on that day are just one of many stories which have surfaced as Ballina Golf Club prepares to celebrate its centenary, starting on June 30.

As part of the centenary, a group of long-serving club members have researched the club’s history and a commemorative book has been published. It will be launched during the celebrations.

The club had its beginnings on June 6, 1908, when a meeting was held with a view to forming the club.

The first course was at what now is Kingsford Smith Park, in the area bounded by Owen and Bentinck streets.

There was a lapse in club activities after World War II, but in the 1950s, efforts were again made to get the club operating again, instigated by John Hajjar and Ken Sharpe.

A new site for the course was chosen, in East Ballina in an area bounded by Cronulla Street and Manly Street. That course was opened on April 6, 1957.

The second course was nine holes and it served its purpose well, but by the late 1960s, extra land was needed if the course was to become 18 holes.

The present site was chosen and work carried out in varying stages until, in February 1975, the current clubhouse was officially opened.

The club’s centenary celebrations will include plenty of golf, culminating in a gala dinner on July 5 when the centenary book will be launched.

No doubt there will be many stories told on the night!

PICTURE: Greg Norman tees off in the 1976 Ballina Pro-Am, watched by, from left, Ian Hood, John Kuhn and Graeme Coe.

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