Judy and Peter Watson (Dunheved GC Life Members). Photos by Noel Rowsell.
JUDY and Peter Watson are both Life Members of Dunheved GC and between them, have won over 100 major titles / tournaments at the Club.
Judy has been a prolific winner of major events, since joining Dunheved in 1974, including 22 Ladies Club Championships, 21 Mixed Foursomes Championships and 27 Ladies Foursomes Championships titles.
She has not only won an impressive number of the major Ladies Championships titles on offer at Dunheved but put together long consecutive runs in each of the different formats, including a 16-year winning streak in the Ladies Club Championships, a 14-year winning streak in the Ladies Foursomes and an 11-year winning streak in the Mixed Foursomes.
The winning streak was only halted by tragedy and injury, with Judy losing her brother one year, succumbing to a broken wrist the following year, and then losing her father, all in consecutive years.
Add a further 27 major events to her impressive resume and it is simply a staggering record over the past 48 years, including overcoming two knee replacements, cataract surgery on both eyes and other injuries.
Among her other major successes are multiple Monthly Medals and a Medal of Medals, 3 hole-in-one’s, victory in the Illawarra / Blue Mountains / Nepean Champion of Champions competition and representing Dunheved on multiple occasions in both Mixed Pennant and Ladies Pennant competitions.
Judy was made a Life Member of Dunheved GC in 2009.
Judy originally thought golf was a ‘stupid game’ in spite of the success of both her father (Jim Granger) and brother (Richard) in the sport.
Both men were very good golfers, with her father being both a Life Member and past-President of Oatlands GC.
A scottish-born member of Oatlands GC convinced Judy to come out and give the game a try and the game immediately worked its magic, turning Judy into a very talented devotee.
Working 5 days a week kept Judy out of the major tournaments early in her golf career but once she had the opportunities, the titles quickly followed.
Her father was Judy’s biggest supporter up until his death, inspiring her to play consistently at a high level.
Judy met Peter, another talented golfer, in 1975 and they were married in 1977.
Peter also has an impressive history in golf, joining Dunheved in 1963 and remaining a member for the ensuing 59 years.
A single figure handicap player in his younger days, Peter has a win in the South Creek Cup, the Men’s Foursomes and the A Grade Match-play to his credit, along with representing the club on multiple occasions in both Major Pennant and Mixed Pennant. He has also scored a hole-in-one.
Peter has been serving on the board of Dunheved GC for a period of 33 years and is the only club member to be elected by members, at an Annual General Meeting, for every position over that period of time, including serving as Club Captain for 5 years (the first year at just 22 years of age), President for 15 years (3 x 5-year terms), Vice-President, Treasurer (current position), Director and Patron.
Peter and his brother Graham (now deceased) introduced the Watson Brothers Trophy in 1978, which is still running and is the longest-running event sponsored by members of the Dunheved club.
Peter was made a Life Member of Dunheved GC in 1995. He has had 3 major back operations but still manages to play and enjoy golf, although now at a more social 27 handicap.
