Newspaper Article 1999 – CHB identity remembered

CHB identity remembered

HILARY PEDERSEN

OBITUARY

Waipukurau legal and golfing identity Richard Falconer Mackie died on Saturday at the Hawke’s Bay Regional Hospital, aged 77.

His funeral was held this morning at St Mary’s Anglican Church, Waipukurau.

Dick Mackie was a longtime figure in legal and golfing circles and a keen sportsman, starting from his school days at Hereworth, Havelock North and Wanganui Collegiate where a cricket ball-throwing record remains unbroken after 60 years.

Mr Mackie was studying law at Canterbury University when war broke out. He joined the Fleet Air Arm, was officially mentioned in despatches and later awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. An unshakeable belief that sport could cross all boundaries was demonstrated when post war friendships were forged with a number of Japanese golf administrators, Mr Mackie’s son Neil recalls.

Mr Mackie completed his law degree and returned to Waipukurau, joining his father at Lee Mackie Harker and McKay for many years before a partnership in McKay Mackie. He was a Notary Public and two years ago was made an honorary member of the Hawke’s Bay Law Society.

Golf, at local, national and international level was a lifelong interest and his achievements as a player and administrator were numerous. A scratch player, he represented Wellington and Hawke’s Bay, and the Waipukurau for many years in the Greenwood Cup.

He was president and a member of the New Zealand Golf Council from 1954 – 1976 and then a life member; president and member of the Hawke’s Bay Golf Association from 1952-1976; a member of the World Golf Council’s Administrative Committee, and a council member from 1968. In 1963 Mr Mackie was the non-playing captain of the New Zealand golf team to the Commonwealth Tournament in Australia, and three years of the Eisenhower Cup team to Mexico.

Long-time golf associate and friend, New Zealand and Hawke’s Bay golf administrator Robin Dailey remembers Mr Mackie as a very good player in his own right, a clear thinker, and a tremendous worker for sport.

In 1971 Mr Mackie’s active sporting career was cut short when an accident left him wheelchair-bound. But his New Zealand Golf Association involvement continued and in 1980 he was chosen as its delegate to the first world golf conference held at St Andrew’s, Scotland. On the same trip he represented all New Zealanders who had served with the Fleet Air Arm in World War 2, when he attended the opening of the Fleet Air Arm museum in England. In June this year he was awarded a life membership of the Eagles Golfing Society of Hawke’s Bay.

Dick Mackie was widely respected in the community, and among friends and family for his dignity, quiet sense of humour and courage. He is survived by his wife Mitty, and sons Tim, Neil, Pete and Ian Mackie.