14 Dec 2012

RBGC MEMBER HAS BEEN RECOGNISED FOR OVER 40 YEARS OF DEDICATION TO GOLF


The 18th Annual Queensland Sport Awards Presentation was held in December, with Redland Bay Golf Club member Barry Shepherd being presented with the highly esteemed Service to Sport Award for 2012.

Barry Shepherd has provided a long and distinguished voluntary service to the administration of the sport of golf not only for his home state of Queensland but also at the national level. During his involvement in golfing administration which extends over 40 years, Barry has provided extensive service at his golf club, regional district level and the governing body operations at both State and National levels.

At Club level, Barry was first elected to the management committee of Townsville Golf Club in 1971 and served on the committee until 1984. During this period he served two terms as Club President.

At District level, Barry was elected as Townsville Golf Club’s delegate to the North Queensland District Golf Association (NQDGA). In 1981, he was elected President of the NQDGA and served in this position until 1991. During this period he was conferred Life Membership of the Association for services to golf in North Queensland.

At the State level, Barry held the position of delegate of NQDGA to the Queensland Golf Union for 14 years. During this time he was elected to the Management Committee of the Queensland Golf Union, a position which he held for a period of 20 years. He then held the position of Vice President of the Queensland Golf Union and was then elected President in 2004 until that body was ceased to operation in 2007.

In his role as President of the Queensland Golf Union, Barry was a key person in leading the unification of the men’s and women’s governing bodies to create Golf Queensland. He was a Director of Golf Queensland since its formation and retired from this position in May 2011.

At National level, Barry was one of Queensland’s two elected Delegates to the Australian Golf Union and an Executive Member of the Union from 2003–2006. The Australian Golf Union was the governing body for amateur golf in Australian until it ceased in 2006 and amalgamated to form Golf Australia. Barry played a significant role in the negotiations that led to the formation of Golf Australia. He was subsequently elected as one of Queensland’s two male councillors to Golf Australia for the period of 2006–2007.

Throughout the years, Barry has had various roles on the Selectors Panel, Match Committee, and Golf Australia’s Rules and Handicapping Committee. He also was Team Manager for a number of Australian and Queensland teams.

For many years Barry has maintained a close association with the PGA of Australia and its associated bodies. Barry is a nationally accredited Rules Official and has officiated in that capacity at major Australian and International events including the Australian Open, the Australian PGA, the Australian Ladies Masters and the Aaron Baddley Invitational in China. He is also one of the key instructors for Queensland’s State Rules Accreditation Course.

Through his association with the Chemist Golf Fraternity, Barry has played on over 200 of Australia’s leading golf courses. This has given him a detailed appreciation and knowledge of course rating and handicapping matters. Barry was one of the leading people to guide the re-rating of Queensland’s 254 golf courses in preparation for the USGA’s handicapping system rollout.

In undertaking this sustained level of voluntary service, Barry has always maintained the highest level of leadership and integrity in his dealings with players, parents and officials. His selfless service and actions have always been with the interests of what is best for the sport of golf or the individual playing the game.

The Redland Bay Golf Club would like to congratulate Barry on his very deserving award win and thank him for his ongoing dedication to the game of golf.



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