Reah Lahmert: Golf was her passion
NEW Zealand Golf Life Member Mrs Reah Lahmert passed away on the 3rd of May 2009 in Tauranga hospital Reah joined the St Clair Golf Club in Dunedin in 1951 shortly before representing Otago in the Russell Grace Cup, and against the touring British Junior golf team in 1955. Reah headed overseas with her husband Jack to live in Tonga for 3 years and on her return she joined The Grange Golf Club in Auckland. Following two seasons at The Grange, Reah and Jack then moved to Gisborne and joined the Poverty Bay Golf Club where they were members for many years.
A consistent low handicapper, Reah won the Poverty Bay Club Championship fi ve times and represented Hawkes Bay/Poverty Bay in the Russell Grace in 1965 (when the district had the second of its three Interprovincial Tournament wins to date) and again in 1966. As an administrator Reah served at all levels of the game over a long and distinguished career. At club level Reah served on the Poverty Bay GC committee, and as women’s Club Captain and President. For her District, Reah was a member of Hawkes Bay/Poverty Bay District Ladies’ Golf Association from 1964-1982, and non playing captain of HB/PB Russell Grace team, 1970-1982 (winners in 1970).
At National administration level, Reah was a member of the New Zealand Ladies’ Golf Union Executive Council Member for HB/PB from 1970- 1982 and a National Selector from 1972-1978 (Chairman of Selectors 1975-1978) Reah served as Chairman of NZLGU Executive Council 1979-1980 and was ultimately elected as an NZLGU Life Vice President (equivalent of a present day Life Member) at 1982 AGM, The British LGU invited affi liated countries to appoint a Vice President each year. The NZLGU normally appointed a long serving former Executive Council member, often an ex Chairman or President, to recognise and honour service to women’s golf in New Zealand. Reah received this honour of being appointed LGU Vice President for 1989. When husband Jack’s health failed they moved from Gisborne to New Plymouth to be closer to their daughter. Reah continued her golf, playing 9 holes at Kaitake Golf Club (New Plymouth) once a week. She later played Golf Croquet at the West End Croquet Club for about a year until forced to retire because of failing eye site and health.
Her family believe the highlight of her golfi ng career was being appointed non-playing captain of two NZ teams (see below 1974 Tasman Cup in Adelaide and 1979 Commonwealth Tournament in Perth). Reah always caddied at all Jack’s Veterans Tournaments never missing any of his games. Jack was also heavily involved in the administration of his own Provincial Golf Ass and also the New Zealand’s Vets Assn). Reah was holidaying in Katikati with her son and daughter-in-law when she took ill, and passed away in Tauranga hospital about 3 weeks before her 91st birthday.
(Source: NZ Golf Ausgust newsletter)
