Newspaper Article 1999 – Captain Jim dreams of playing well

Veterans News

Captain Jim dreams of playing well

JIM Newbigin was president of the New Zealand Veteran Golfers’ Association in 1999, after serving seven years on the executive, representing the Hawkes Bay district.

He has been a member of Hastings Golf Club since 1945.

Newbigin played first-class cricket for Wellington as a fast-medium pace bowler.

A move to Hawkes Bay saw him play for Old Boys Hastings, and later, for Cornwall.

He represented Hawkes Bay and was elected to vice-president and a life member of the Cornwall club.

Newbigin was an A grade squash player, learning the game at Christ’s College.

Playing at Hawkes Bay, he helped set up the Havelock North club and became a life member of both clubs.

In 1998, Hastings Golf Club was given the opportunity to host the NZ international veterans’ tournament at Bridge Pa.

This was an enormous challenge, as these tournaments had previously been held in the main centres and tourist towns.

With hard work by a dedicated team, 156 players enjoyed the bay’s fine and hot weather, though the conditions were very trying for a number of the participants.

Newbigin has worked in the liquor industry all his life, but does not believe this has hindered his swing.

He still works part-time for the Southern Distilling Company and a glassware company servicing the Hawkes Bay and Poverty Bay regions, and still enjoys fly-fishing.

Newbigin admits skill sometimes masquerades as luck, but that does not mean he is not entitled to play off his present handicap of eight.

He continues to practice his game and make improvements, and one day, hopes to play well, having just been appointed club captain at Hastings Golf Club at Bridge Pa.

He is married to Louise and they have two sons, Sam, in Meat Exporting in Napier, and Edward, who works in public relations in Auckland, and a daughter Mary who is a teacher at an international school in China.