Vale Beryl Kennedy

VALE BERYL KENNEDY
The memorial service for Beryl Kennedy, late of Teloca House, formerly of King Street, Narrandera was held on Thursday, 6th July 2017 at St Thomas’ Anglican Church. Respected and much-loved Riverina Ladies Golf Association Life Member, Beryl was known as a ‘special lady’ who gave so much to golf.
Golfing friends gathered at Narrandera Golf Club in June last year to celebrate her 100th birthday. Beryl was very keen to know who won the day’s golf event! Beryl, was our special guest and thoroughly enjoyed RLGA’s 85th Anniversary celebrations in September at her home club, Narrandera.
Golfers across the Riverina would unanimously agree that the names Beryl Kennedy and Narrandera Golf Club are synonymous.
After the death of her husband, Jack, in a car accident Beryl’s love of golf and all that brings grew and became an important part of her life. Not only playing but also in the administration of the game. During her time on the fairways she won numerous championships. Fourteen-time Narrandera ladies’ champion, five-time mixed foursomes winner between 1957 and 1966 and winning the ladies foursomes’ championship demonstrate a stellar golfing career.
Beryl put back into her sport as much as she gained from it. A tireless worker and volunteer she held many committee positions both locally and at district level. When disaster confronted Narrandera golfers with the destruction of their clubhouse by fire Beryl, together with club stalwarts, set about raising funds to rebuild. Life membership of Narrandera Golf Club was bestowed on Beryl.
In 1969 as the world witnessed the moon landing Beryl presided over the Riverina ladies’ championships at Leeton. 1969 was a very wet year and Leeton course conditions proved challenging. Ensuring the importance of the annual ladies’ championships would not be diminished Beryl announced during presentations, “history may have been made with man walking on the moon but equally history was made at Leeton with golfers walking on water!”
Acknowledgment is made of the numerous messages of condolence and heart-warming reminiscences of wonderful times shared with a very special lady. Thank you also to Rosemary Orr, Pat Heylar, Valda Rudd and Dorothy Allen