INCOMING Rosewood Golf Club president Ken Parker is happy to devote his time to a new sporting role.
The retired truck driver spent many years on the road travelling thousands of kilometres to places like Darwin and Perth.
The Ipswich born, Boonah-bred committee member now has more time to enjoy the social aspects of golf so he decided to nominate for club president for the first time.
After a two-year stint as vice-president, Ken replaces Jamie Soppa in overseeing the club’s future direction.
“Jamie is still working and it [the club] needs someone who is retired,” Ken said.
“There is a lot of behind the scenes work you have to do.
“He [Jamie) did a reasonable sort of a job. It’s hard when you are working to put in the time that you need to.”
Ken wants to build on “what’s been done and not change too much”.
“I want to settle in and mainly keep everything rolling on the course,” he said.
“Just contribute a bit more and keep the club running smoothly.
“Make improvements as we go.”
That includes the installation of new toilets near the clubhouse and between the third and fourth holes, to go with refurbished facilities close to the 15th and 16th holes.
Pennants representative Gary Collins was elected secretary at last month’s AGM, replacing long-serving club icon Janelle Browning.
Ken said he appreciated new life member Janelle’s valuable service, along with ongoing treasurer Don Butterfield.
“She [Janelle] has been good for the club and it’s time she stepped away and had a bit of a break,” he said.
Bob Ellison was elected vice-president.
Former president Morrice Clem is the club captain with Kym Hurley fulfilling the ladies club captain role.
Ken has been with the Rosewood club for seven years, having previously also played at Lowood.
He has been around Ipswich much of his life. The former Boonah State High School student now lives at Rosewood, with good access to the club situated on Karrabin-Rosewood Road.
The club has about 350 members “that is growing all the time” with stable playing numbers involved in regular competitions.
Club members last year celebrated a 70th anniversary, reinforcing the sporting organisation’s important role in the community.
“Probably the main thing is trying to get juniors back,” Ken said.
He’s hoping to run some afternoon clinics to attract newcomers.
Playing off a handicap of 20, Ken enjoys the social aspect of golf where “you meet decent people” and “the camaraderie” at a welcoming 18 hole country course.
“I get satisfaction out of it seeing all the players out here,” he said.
Ken said being a truck driver helped him deal with a lot of different people and learn how to handle a range of situations.
But he’s glad he no longer has to make 3,500km treks from Brisbane to the Northern Territory or Western Australia, only being home one day a week.
“It’s a lot harder now,” he said.
In his younger sporting life, Ken played 12 years of Aussie rules for the Ipswich Cats.
He also enjoyed lower grade cricket as an allrounder for Waysiders in the early 80s.
Ken was encouraged by the performances of last year’s Rosewood pennants teams involved in the annual Moreton Districts competition.
The club’s Division 1 side came third, just missing the final.
Rosewood’s Division 2 team qualified for the final, going down to Ipswich.
Forthcoming events include next month’s Men’s and Ladies 27 hole Foursomes after an Australia Day competition, backed by the Walloon Hotel.
The annual club championships are held over four Saturdays starting in May.
Ken said the Rosewood greens were continuing to improve after some surface disease issues the club dealt with last year.
