Bessie, must admit I'm pretty jealous of your sporting highlight of getting two holes-in-one playing golf. Can you take me through those great achievements?
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The first one happened at the Warrnambool golf course 10 years ago, while the other was at Peterborough two years ago.
The Warrnambool one happened on the 13th hole. I couldn't believe it happened. I was playing golf with Alma McLeod.
We could not see the ball after I hit off. We walked along and couldn't find the ball. We went over to the hole and the ball was in there. Alma and I were really excited when we realised the ball was in the hole.
There was plenty of excitement in the club rooms when we got back in there. The club got the ball mounted, which I've still got at home.
What about the hole-in-one at Peterborough?
It was one of the worst days that had come out of the heavens. It was windy and freezing cold.
I really didn't feel like playing golf on that day.
My hole-in-one was on the seventh at Peterborough – to be honest with you I never got excited because it was such a terrible day.
How did you get involved in golf?
My dad played golf and I suppose that’s where I got my interest from.
My friend Judy Kerr encouraged me to play golf more than 34 years ago. Judy and I have played in pairs events for years – matter of fact we won a pairs event at Warrnambool golf course last week.
I've loved playing golf. I've met some wonderful people who have turned into lifelong friends.
I’ve been fortunate to have had the support of so many people including my family at various stages of my life.
I would love to thank the ladies at the Warrnambool golf course who have been there to help me over the years.
Bessie, what in your opinion is the hardest hole to play at the Warrnambool golf course?
I've always thought the 10th hole was the toughest. They have restructured the green. There are some people who think it's not the toughest, but from where I am it is tough.
I've been playing golf out at Warrnambool for more than 34 years and I've got to congratulate the groundsman and staff, plus the dad’s army which is made up of retired workers who do a wonderful job looking after the golf course.
I used to play golf twice a week until last year and now I play once a week.
I love the walking – I’m sure the exercise of walking around golf courses has helped my health.
Which hole is the hardest at Port Fairy?
The 16th hole at Port Fairy has been a hard one. There are bad bunkers on the right-hand side and I've often found my ball in the bunkers.
The Port Fairy golf course is magnificent.
There are some amazing views from a few holes at Port Fairy.
I've been lucky to have played at all the local golf courses including Mortlake, Portland, Heywood, Timboon and Hawkesdale.
You’ve mentioned golf has been great to you because of the friendships and the exercise, are there any other parts of the sport that have helped you?
I encourage anyone to play golf.
I'm disappointed I never started earlier.
Playing golf can be very frustrating and that is part of the sport.
Another aspect is it makes you challenge yourself which can be very demanding some days.
Let's go back to your early years a growing up at Hawkesdale. What are your memories?
I had a wonderful childhood. The family farm at Hawkesdale comprised of 300 acres. We had sheep and dairy cows but changed over to beef cattle.
My two sisters went to boarding school at Portland, while my brother went to boarding school over at Mount Gambier.
I used to love playing tennis. I can still remember riding my bike from the farm, which was a few miles out of town, to play tennis.
My parents made a lot of sacrifices over the years to ensure their children had good educations and were showed the rights from the wrongs.
It's amazing to think the farm is still in the family. It's been in the family name for more than 100 years. My nephew has run it for years.
Bessie, after you left boarding school where did you work?
I got a job at Youngers in Liebig Street, Warrnambool, in the early 1950s. I worked in the fashion area of the store for six years.
They were great times working at Youngers – everyone in the town knew everyone, but that's all changed now.
Warrnambool has grown so much over the years. When I moved into Warrnambool, I used to board in Milton Court which was off Koroit Street before I married Kevin in 1955. Sadly, Kevin passed away three years ago.
We've spoken about your golf career. What other sports do you like?
I love the footy. I barrack for Geelong.
My brother-in-law George McGrath played more than 70 games with the Cats.
My grandsons have played footy with the Geelong Falcons and are now down at Leopold.
I'm a member up at the Warrnambool Football Netball Club – that's where my grandsons started their careers.
I played a lot of social squash at the courts in Timor Street, and for years I played tennis at the lawn courts in Warrnambool before playing at Bromfield Street.
I used to love going to Melbourne to see the tennis.
There used to be a group of us, but now I just love staying at home watching the game.