It all started with a Girls into Golf (GIG) lesson with Maroochy River Golf Professional, Di Pavich, after Judy saw an advertisement about Di in My Weekly Preview magazine. Little did she know it was the start of a journey that would lead to playing golf five times a week, representing her club in Pennant competitions, and forming friendships with golfers around the world.
“Golf is a game that has completely changed my life with new friendships, new skills and it is something that I loved to do for myself. It is ‘My Game’. This crazy game called golf has given me so much fun and joy,” says Judy.
Victorian born and bred, Judy and Paul moved to the Sunshine Coast with their two children in 1993. Judy often accompanied her husband on his business trips and grew tired of “hanging around the hotel” while Paul played golf. “I knew he would retire one day, and I wanted to be able to play golf with him when we travelled,” she says.
She signed up for Di’s Saturday’s classes, attending coaching clinics, playing on the course with mentors and learning the rules and etiquette of golf.
“I owe so much to Di and her team of Georgie Weingarth and Rosemary Coombes for all the training and their patience with me in the beginning. The GIG process that Di has developed not only helped create a love of the game for me, but I still play golf with so many girls that I started GIG with. What Di and her team have done for women in golf is amazing and I’ve made the most wonderful friendships,” adds Judy.
Judy’s starting handicap was 38 but as a naturally talented sportsperson (she played tennis and netball and was an accomplished snow and water skier), it did not take long for her handicap to come down.
“Just before I turned 70, I set myself a goal to get my handicap under 20 and I think having that goal really helped my game to improve. With lots of perseverance I now have a handicap of 17.5. I was even cut to 14.9 once but that only lasted for a 24-hour period. Now I know that I have done it once I am trying to get back there again,” she says.
Recalling the first time she played Strokeplay, Judy says the experience was daunting. “The 18th hole became my downfall and I hit three balls into the water. Thankfully, due to the patience, understanding and encouragement of one of my fellow golfers, I finally conquered the water and shot a 14 on that hole. My final score was a disaster, but I survived the day.”
Judy also enjoys Pennant golf and says playing on different courses has improved her skills. “I love the team environment that comes with playing Pennant. It is a very special feeling when you are representing your golf club and playing as a team.”
Judy says the social aspect of golf has become a big part of their lives. “We now have great friends that we go away on golfing holidays with. You meet so many people from different walks of life, but we all share a love of golf. While travelling overseas we have met golfers from Australia and even though they live in other states we now go away and meet with them to play golf.”
Judy and Paul are now planning many more golf trips interstate and overseas. “I think back to that first GIG lesson, so a very big thank-you to Di for getting me started on the wonderful journey to the golf courses of the world.”