GolfWA Chairman Hannah has stepped down

Max Hannah officially retired from his role as  GolfWA Chairman on Tuesday with a deserved reputation as a pioneering figure in the game after almost 40 years in administration at state and national level.

Hannah was the inaugural GolfWA Chairman and one of his crowning achievements was to help oversee the amalgamation of amateur golf’s governing body in this state back in 2011.

Hannah had previously indicated he would retire from his elected position ahead of GolfWA’s annual general meeting on Tuesday night, when Greg Higham was installed as his replacement unopposed.

Former Royal Perth Golf Club President Higham has been on GolfWA’s board since 2014.

Speaking about outgoing chairman Hannah, in his AGM report, GolfWA Chief Executive Gary Thomas wrote: “Max’s contribution to the administration of the game in Western Australia has been considerable and perhaps his most significant achievement was, along with Dianne Tomlin, overseeing the amalgamation of two separate governing bodies into GolfWA.

“On behalf of all involved in golf in Western Australia, I wish you and Frances the very best in your retirement after seven successful years.”

Tuesday night’s AGM also significantly saw Graeme Parsons awarded Life Membership of GolfWA following 36 years of service to the game.

Parsons’ voluntary contributions to golf were described as “enormous” in various capacities for club, state and Australian golf.

Already a Life Member at Mandurah Country Club – where he first joined in 1980 before later becoming the club’s President – Parsons has worked in a myriad of roles including as Chairman of the WA Golf Association (WAGA) Match Committee, State Chairman of Selectors and manager of the State Senior Men’s team.

Upon the formation of GolfWA, Parsons was Chairman of the Golf Management Committee from 2011–14.

Parsons, who was awarded the Australian Sports Medal in 2010, continues to be involved in golf as part of the Course Rating Team as well as being an internationally accredited rules official having completed the Tournament Administrators and Referees School at St Andrews.

Hannah slips into his well-earned retirement after a golfing journey that began at Melville Glades 43 years ago.

He was President of the club for four years, and Captain for three, to prelude a successful career in administration around Australia, including as national director of coaching for the Australian Golf Union.

At a state level he was a WA Selector, Team Manager (Junior and Colts) as well as serving on the WAGA executive committee for 12 years.

Hannah became WAGA President in 2010 and was a driving force in the amalgamation with the women’s governing body to form GolfWA and streamline the running of the amateur game in this state.

Source: GolfWA