HAMILTON Golf Club has a new life member with Ian Ferguson receiving the honour during last week’s annual general meeting.

The 82-year-old has spent about four decades at the club as a player and has also been club president across two stints in recent times, including in its recent centenary year.

Ferguson said it was humbling to be given the honour.

“It is a huge honour, there is no doubt about that and I am very humbled to be on the life member list of the Hamilton Golf Club,” he said.

“You don’t look for the acknowledgement, you just do what you have to do.

“I’m not one of those blokes who goes around waving my flag and say this is what I’ve done, I’d much prefer not to wave my flag at all.”

With many roles needing to be filled along with maintenance and upgrades along the way, Ferguson said the team at the club all took on critical roles to ensure the sustainability and success of the club.

“It is a lovely club and everyone gets in and does things,” he said.

“I was president three years back and had another stint recently until I was hit with sickness and had to resign.

“Before I got crook, I was playing three or four times a week, but going forward it will just be a Saturday thing and perhaps a Thursday thing.”

The former president said the financial position was a lot stronger these days and was excited for what lied ahead.

“Just the improvement of the club in general and the financial improvement,” he said.

“We have picked our way up to be reasonably financially solid.

“We have just put a new constitution in and that is going to give them a greater input into pushing forward.”

Having joined the club when he was in his 40s, the 82-year-old first played at Parklands, but eventually settled on Hamilton Golf Club.

A set of clubs from a pro set him on his way and he hasn’t looked back since.

“When I was 40-something, I came down for my first round here,” he said.

“I had a few rounds at Parklands with a couple of my mates, my mother-in-law was an avid golfer and then I came here, met up with a pro from Ballarat and he sold me a set of clubs and off I went.”

Ferguson also singled out Bert Sharrock, who he always enjoyed playing alongside.

“Bert was one of the finest golfers I think I ever played with, unfortunately he isn’t with us anymore though,” he said.

“I just want to thank the whole club for all their support, it is a great club and they have all helped me along the way.”