The Second Roland Pope Golf Day
Image: Foundation members Margaret Smithson and Robbie Gordon holding their runner up trophy at the 2016 Roland Pope Cup and Dinner.
Beautiful weather, an immaculate Championship Golf Course, delicious food, good wine, “fierce” competition, amiable companionship and a little touch of art proved to be the ingredients of the great success of last year’s Inaugural Roland Pope Golf Day. Having celebrated the 70th Anniversary of the original Pope benefaction that led to Newcastle Art Gallery’s inception, it seemed our members thought Pope’s generosity was worth celebrating again in 2016.
Thirty-six golfers fronted for a replay to pit their skills against the first 9 holes of Newcastle Golf Course whilst another 20 Foundation members toured the rarely-seen store rooms of NAG and took in some highlights of the Kilgour exhibition.
Rodney Pope (Roland Pope’s great grand-nephew) and his wife Jane, again supported us. With 3 of his golfing friends from Sydney, Rodney proved too strong for the local competition and took out the coveted and unique Roland Pope Cup.
The handicapping system may have to be changed for southerners next year!!
The 2016 winners were:
Rodney Pope, Tim Pembroke, Michael Barnes and Wallace Scale
And “snapping at their heels” were the runners up:
Margaret Smithson, Robbie Gordon, Denny Gordon and Brendan Pell
Nearest to the Pin were Prue Viggers and Denny Gordon.
The generosity of our members and their guests on this special day made the Roland Pope Cup event a successful venture and a valuable contributor to the Foundation’s quest to underwrite the acquisition of a brand new work by John Olsen. The acquisition will be a focal point of the November exhibition at Newcastle Art Gallery, JOHN OLSEN: The City’s Son.
The Foundation thanks the hard working Membership and Development Committee, the management of Newcastle Golf Club and all attendees who demonstrated that Roland Pope’s legacy is alive and well in the Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation.
Judy Hart 31/10/16
Image : Therese Wildschut preparing her beautiful table setting before the guests arrive.