NAMBUCCA Heads Island Golf Club (NHGC) was at near capacity on Monday, September 26 when members and friends gathered to celebrate the life of popular member Ian Vidler.
Ian started caddying at Lismore Golf Club and took up playing golf at the age of 14.
He would fossick for golf balls to sell back to the members and he also worked at the club after school assisting the greens staff.
Playing skins with the other caddies honed Ian’s skills as he was not keen on losing the money he made in the morning and he quickly learned the value of a quid (as it was then).
During his lifetime Ian won many titles and was one of the best amateur golfers in the northeast of NSW. He won the men’s club championship at NHGC 11 times; the mixed twice and the men’s foursomes.
And he won the New Zealand International Seniors Championship in 2005.
Ian was an active member of the club and was captain for five years and spent many more years on the board.
He was active in golf administration both locally and with Veterans Golf NSW and received a life membership at NHGC and the NSW Veterans Golf Association.
Ian and his wife Lyn travelled extensively throughout NSW playing the veterans circuit.
He was highly regarded by this group and was elected president of the NSW Veterans in 2016 and held this role right up until his passing.
He championed NHGC wherever he went, which resulted in the club’s annual veteran’s tournament always being booked out months in advance. Ian’s popularity on this circuit made this happen.
In recognition of his ongoing commitment to this event, and to the club, the shields presented to the individual men’s and women’s winners have been renamed the NSW VGA Ian Vidler Memorial Shield.
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