Vale Rhonda Watson OAM
Rhonda Watson
It is with great sadness that we advise on the death of Rhonda Watson OAM, the first ever inductee in the South Australian Golf Industry Hall of Fame.
The Board of Golf SA wants to pass on condolences to Sue & Bob Tuohy and family upon the death of Sue & # 39; s mother, a true legend of South Australian golf.
The family receives a private service.
Rhonda was inducted into the South Australian Golf Industry Hall of Fame on October 29, 2011
Refer to the following to emphasize the many achievements of Rhonda.
* Hall of Fame Induction – Sat, 29 Oct 2011
Ladies and gentlemen, I am delighted to announce the first inductee at the South Australian Golf Industry Hall of Fame: Rhonda Watson
When Rhonda was a young teenager, she wanted to achieve her personal best in & # 39; something & # 39 ;.
In addition to taking commercial art lessons mixed from 9 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., Rhonda played various sports, including netball, table tennis and tennis. However, it was golf that caught her attention with the young Rhonda who was introduced to the game at the then National Park Golf Course, which she often visited with her family and friends.
After spending time as a member of the Kensington Park Golf Club, Rhonda joined Glenelg Golf Club as a junior in 1948 – an introduction that was kindly organized by Mrs. Marjory Taylor.
In Glenelg, Rhonda was taught by two of the club's legendary professionals –
first Fred Thompson and then Murray Crafter, who would coach her for the next 18 years.
Rhonda once said: "The most pleasant time to play golf is just when the sun rises and completes a round in two hours".
In 1951, Rhonda started playing her first year of 26 years for Glenelg in Pennant Competitions.
In 1968 she won a golden laurel wreath brooch for playing par golf at Glenelg and in 1969 she won the Champion of Champions Trophy. Watson won the Glenelg Club Championship 13 times.
Watson not only dominated golf at club level, but was also the leading player in the 50s and 60s.
Over a 17-year period from 1952 to 1968 Watson won 12 State Amateur titles – an Australian record – in the process similar to the record of Lady Britten-Jones with 10 state titles, receiving personal congratulations from Britten-Jones herself, who would remain one of her most proud golf achievements.
During this period, Rhonda was the first lady to have a scratch handicap in South Australia
which she achieved in 1959.
Watson represented SA for many years and in 1956 Australian represented for the first time in the Tasman Cup in New Zealand – saying that the month-long tour through New Zealand was an adult
experience, which contributed to both her knowledge of people and the game of golf.
She represented Australia in 1962 and 66 & # 39; and was appointed in 1970
non-playing captain.
After completing her representative career, Rhonda put a special emphasis on playing
State Women & Open Meetings – not only to expand her own golf knowledge, but also to introduce her to the many facets of golf management that she would ultimately pursue at both national and national level.
In 1964, Rhonda was approached to stand for Vice-President of the South Australian
Ladies Golf Union and was appointed president for the maximum term of 3 years from 1969 to 1971. During this period she was also a member of the Glenelg Associates Committee, followed by vice-captain, captain and president of the club.
In 1974 the Executive of the SA Ladies Golf Union asked her to be honorary treasurer of the association – a role that she played for 4 years.
Rhonda has been awarded:
– Life Membership of the Glenelg Golf Club, the first lady to be honored in this way
– Life Membership of the South Australian Ladies Golf Union
– And the medal of the Order of Australia in 1978 for golf services
Ladies and gentlemen, unfortunately, Rhonda cannot be here tonight, but accept the prize on her behalf, her daughter Sue Tuohy.
