Service ethic rewarded

EAST Geelong golfer Greg Bennett was brought up with a pretty simple motto.

“When we were kids we were told you had to play sport. You couldn’t sit home and do nothing,” Bennett said.

“And what Dad instilled into us, if you are going to join a club be part of the club.

“Don’t just go and play and take off.

“He’d say just don’t sit back and let everyone else do the work.”

The well-known local golfer was recently awarded with life membership for his dedication to East Geelong, which has stemmed 32 years.

Bennett joins his father Harry as a life member of the club.

During his time at East Geelong, Bennett has held various roles.

He was president for 10 years, had been club captain for three and is currently club vice-captain.

Bennett said the honour was humbling.

“I didn’t ever have any expectations and I don’t think anyone does it for that,” Bennett said. “You get involved in a club to be part of the club; you don’t look at the reward.

“I’m very humbled, very honoured. It was really good with dad being a life member as well.

“It’s a good club, it’s a small club but it’s an actual golf club. There are no poker machines, there’s no outside influences.

“It’s a really good golf club with a really good bunch of members.”

The Bennetts are the only father-son life members at East Geelong.

Harry, 86, still gets out on plays regularly but the duo rarely venture out on the course together.

“I haven’t played with him for a while. But I’m not game to play against him because he will still beat me,” Bennett said.