It’s fair to say the game of golf plays a major role in Liz McRae’s life.

Originally from Tarras and now a Wanaka resident of some 30 years, Liz continues to play golf at regional representative level while contributing to the sport she loves in many ways. 

She’s on the board of Otago Golf, president of Central Otago Women’s Golf, and a life member of Wanaka Golf Club – an honour bestowed four years ago at an unusually young 51-years-old. 

Liz has managed the club’s biggest annual event, the ANZ Private Wanaka Annual Golf Tournament, for the past 15 years and held virtually every role possible within the club, such as women’s club captain. 

Last November, she concluded two years as club president and stepped down from the board, having served on the board since its inception 17 years ago. All this, and she has more than 100 games of Otago representative golf to her credit.

Liz’s connection to golf started with her family, the Purvises, who donated land which became part of the Tarras Golf Club. Her father was club secretary for 25 years and both her mother and sister also played. 

“I was brought up on the Tarras course and used to hack around a bit, although Mum didn’t let us play seriously until we were in our late teens,” Liz said. 

“I’ve enjoyed being president and am very pleased that Wanaka Golf Club is one of the few clubs in New Zealand that continues to grow.

Liz McRae is presented with a watercolour of the No. 6 green by club director David Smallbone. The painting is by Renee Walden. Liz’s family sponsor No. 6 hole, one on which she has scored four holes-in-one.

“The club is in good heart. Our membership of more than 1,000 continues to grow with active retirees from Christchurch and Dunedin coming to live here,” Liz said. 

The women’s numbers are particularly strong at the club, Liz said, with about a third of the membership being women.

“The president, along with the two club captains (men’s and women’s), have ex officio roles on the board but primarily focus on the game of golf rather than the financials. 

“Among the projects we’ve worked on in the past year or so is the redevelopment of the practice fairway.”

Liz said the fairway was a big asset to the club, which attracts tourists and sports professionals for winter snow sports. Next year the club is implementing a new irrigation system, another asset to the club.

“Our junior programme is another I’m pleased to see do well. It started six years ago and involves a junior membership, several weeks of lessons and a junior tournament under the direction of a dedicated junior convenor.”

The club continues to deal with the unresolved situation regarding the Queenstown Lakes District Council masterplan for Wanaka which includes a proposed road through the course to connect Anderson Road and Golf Course Road – a major concern during the time Liz was president.

Like other Wanaka club members, she travels regularly to play in other regional club tournaments. 

“Our members are good at supporting other club tournaments,” she said. 

Wanaka Golf Club manager Kim Badger said Liz’s contribution to Wanaka Golf and Otago golf in her lifetime has been outstanding. 

“She hasn't finished yet, I am sure. The club will still have Liz’s advice and knowledge should we need her, something we appreciate very much,” Kim said.

Liz and her husband Jim are well-known locally, having been the owners of Jim and Libby’s shop on Helwick Street for 30 years. They closed the store in 2017.

PHOTOS: Supplied