Thank you RAE
By Bernie Pramberg
Typically , Rae Clarke doesn ’ t want any fuss about her impending retirement after a 34-year career in Queensland golf .
Rae , who departs Golf Queensland in mid-January , admits a tinge of sadness when she reflects on more than three decades of experiences , change and friendships .
For hundreds , maybe thousands , of young golfers she has been something of a “ mother hen ” after 14 years as chiefexecutive of the Greg Norman Junior Foundation .
Rae will bow out 13 months after the GNJGF came under the umbrella of Golf Queensland after operating autonomously for the previous 28 years .
The 2016 Greg Norman Junior Masters on the Gold Coast from December 11-16 will be Rae ’ s farewell to an event which has spawned such luminaries as Adam Scott , Jason Day , Steven Bowditch , Karrie Webb , Katherine Hull , Andrew Buckle , Cameron Smith , Sarah-Jane Smith and others .
The old Norman Foundation catch phrase of “ turning little fish into sharks ” certainly applies with those fine players .
“ I ’ ll certainly miss working with the kids . I ’ ve always kept an eye on what they ’ re doing after they move out of the junior ranks ,’’ said Rae .
“ I got to know so many of them over the years and suppose I might have been a bit of a ‘ mother hen ’ with some .
“ I ’ ve loved all the jobs I ’ ve had in golf , but working with kids has been wonderful . Kids are so refreshing . They come out and tell you straight ... no mucking around .
“ It is very rewarding to follow them right through the ranks from when they were six or seven year-olds . It doesn ’ t seem that long ago that Jason Day was a little squirt with his mum , Deni , caddying for him at our events .
“ Junior golf is about learning and playing golf , but also about life skills such as honesty , etiquette , sharing and mixing with others .’’
Although she has given plenty to the game , Rae firmly believes she has been the recipient of much more in return .
“ I ’ ve met so many great people over the years and forged lifelong friendships ,’’ she said . “ There are so many lovely people in golf . That has been a bonus for me .’’
In 2014 , Rae ’ s work was recognised at the annual Queensland Golf Industry Awards night when she received the prestigious Services to Golf award in front of more than 500 guests .
10 Q Golf Summer 2016 www . golfqueensland . org . au