Les Jones will soon celebrate his 90th birthday, but he is not yet prepared to call time on one of his lifelong passions - golf.
Les and his wife Joy, Dot and Graeme Butler, and Glen Smith were a big part of Sunday’s Warramunda Charity Golf Day at Kyabram Parkland Golf Club.
They have been among the most prominent figures in organising the event, which is in its sixth year and attracted 68 players for a two-person ambrose from as far afield as Benalla, Mooroopna, Rich River, and Shepparton.
The Jones', Butlers', and Glen Smith are all ILU residents and Les has been a member at Parkland for 55 years.
They were all part of a small fundraising committee which, among other things, helped to secure funding for the hub building under the government’s Pick Your Project program.
And since starting the golf day they have been chiefly responsible for raising more than $30,000.
They receive great support from the Parkland match committee, which co-ordinates the event on behalf of Warramunda. They organise the field, catering and help with the fund raising component of the event.
Les said he was extremely thankful to major sponsor of the past four years, Tim Nelson, who had once again supplied all the prizes for winners on the day.
“There are also a number of generous businesses who contribute to the raffle prizes. Among those most sought after prizes are a number of Switch Cafe vouchers (the Warramunda Village outdoor cafe),” he said.
With a strong belief in the motto "Golfers Live Longer", Les was still playing golf up until three or four months ago.
A back injury has put a stop to that, but he said the warmer weather agrees with him more and he had not given up hope of getting back on the par three course.
He described the club as a big part of his life.
Parkland hosts charity golf days on behalf of the RSL (on Anzac Day), for the Royal Children's Hosptial, and for Warramunda.
Les recalled the days of 18-hole facility being transformed from a race course into a golf course, describing the recently refurbished clubrooms as a great asset for the town.
He said there had always been a strong connection between the club and Warramunda, with several village residents and Independent Living Unit residents being ex-committee and executive members.
Representing Warramunda proudly on the day were Sean Davidson, Trevor Bartley, Stuart Burt and Cesare Malerba.
Les said he expected the day to raise in the order of $2000 for Warramunda.