Golfers mourn Garfield stalwart

GARFIELD golfers are mourning the passing of Laurie Payne.
A 40year member of the town’s golf club, Mr Payne was a greatly respected member and players drawn to play in his group always knew a most enjoyable day was ahead.
Mr Payne was a great exponent of the ‘chipandrun’ game which he learnt on the older drier courses.
When the existing clubhouse was built and opened in 1981, Mr Payne and Harold Morgan became the public faces of Garfield Golf Club for green fee players as they managed the course on a Sunday.
Mr Payne’s wife Margaret cooked lunch when required and he would take the course bookings in the evenings on his home phone.
He was always in attendance at working bees in particular as the course progressed from nine to 18 holes and helped to plant many of the extra trees that were required.
A consistent golfer with a midteens handicap, other players were pleased to see him on their side in a teams event. Mr Payne was a winner of the Garfield plate four times and won other district plates throughout West Gippsland. He was a member of the club’s first ever winning pennant team in 1974.
Mr Payne was also always ready to visit clubs at their tournaments and won many trophies, particularly in the fourballbestball events.
He was one of the original veteran golfers joining the West Gippsland group and playing in challenge matches against East and South Gippsland.
Along with his wife Margaret, a 41 year member, Mr Payne played mixed events at home, the district and throughout Victoria.
Mr Payne will be missed at the club for his dry humour and his outrageous stories of local identities.
The club is proud of Mr Payne’s part in its history and members extend their sincere sympathy to Margaret and family.