Thirty-seven-year member and former President, Peter Castrisos, has been awarded Honorary Life Membership of The Brisbane Golf Club.
In his absence, the honour was bestowed on Peter at the club’s 126th Annual General Meeting on Saturday, December 10, and accepted by his son Dean, also a BGC long-standing member.
This recognition from his beloved golf club followed the recent presentation – in October – of the Services to Golf Award at the Queensland Golf Industry annual awards night on the Gold Coast.
“I am humbled by this. It blew me away when I knew I was nominated, so to actually be honoured with Life Membership makes me question whether I am deserving of such an award,” Peter said.
“My memorable journey in golf, which has culminated in an administrative career at state and national level, started from humble beginnings at this very golf club. BGC, and golf, has given me much more than I have ever given to golf.
“Seriously, I can never repay the game for the enjoyment of my golfing journey.”
Peter was Vice President of BGC from 2001 to 2003, and then President from 2004 to 2006. He was a Member of Golf Queensland’s inaugural Board from 2007 to 2016, becoming its Chair in 2012, and during this time he was instrumental in re-establishing the Queensland Open, which was played at his home course from 2016 to 2018.
Also, in November 2016, Peter was elected to the board of Golf Australia, and has now completed two terms in office.
In nominating Peter for the honour of becoming the club’s 45th Honorary Life Member – and being unanimously supported by the Club Committee – BGC President, Dr Mark Deuble, described him as ‘an exemplary member, continuously, since joining the club in January of 1985’.
“Peter has always conducted himself with courtesy, respect and encouragement towards all members, and his support of up-and-coming young golfers has been particularly notable across his entire golfing journey,” Dr Deuble said.
“During his three-year tenure as President the club was profitable, and Peter was responsible for the implementation of all three stages of a plan to upgrade the Clubhouse.
“His significant interest in the Rules of Golf also grew during this period, and he also managed the Club through a challenging Brisbane drought.”
Dr Deuble revealed that Peter has continued to develop his knowledge of the Rules of Golf through all senior levels of examination and accreditation, and has been refereeing major golfing events nationally and internationally, including the two recent major tournaments in Australia, the PGA at Royal Queensland and the Open in Melbourne.
“Needless to say, he has also volunteered to referee countless matches at our golf club over the years, including many of our Club Championship finals,” he said. – TONY DURKIN