In Memoriam - Uplands Golf Club Remembers Honorary Life Member Joan Lawson
Courtesy Uplands Golf Club Newsletter (Jan Allen - editor)/Prepared by UGC Member Nancy Greer
In Memoriam - Joan Lawson
This past month brought with it the sad news of the passing of a very special member of the Women's Division, Honorary Life Member, Joan Lawson, in her 98th year.
Joan began golfing as a 15-year-old junior member of Uplands in 1935, just 13 years after Uplands was founded. Her first major win in a truly outstanding amateur golf career came just 3 years later in 1938 when she won the Empress Midwinter Tournament.
This was followed by a long list of wins, not the least of which was being our Ladies Club Champion 21 times and Runner Up 3 times between 1942 to 1978, a truly remarkable feat to remain in top competitive form over this span of 36 years.
But her golfing accomplishments were not limited to this achievement for she also won the Winter Cup 17 times between 1954 and 1989, and the Rose Ann Barrett Memorial trophy in both 1979 and 1980. The story becomes even more impressive when you consider her history of wins at the City, Provincial and National levels.
She was C-FAX Victoria & District Champion 3 times and runner up 4 times. As well, she was a member of the BC Amateur team in 1959 which won the Low Net Canadian Team championship.
If that were not enough, her Senior golfing career was equally impressive. Joan won the first C-Fax Victoria City & District Senior Championship in 1981, the BC Senior Championship twice and was runner up 3 times.
She was a member of the BC Senior Team 12 times at the Canadian National Senior Championships, and was a member of the team that won Low Gross Canadian Senior Team Champions 5 times.
She also was part of the team that won Low Net Canadian Senior Champions twice. Individually, Joan was Runner Up in the Canadian Senior Championship in 1978. It is not surprising that she was tied for 9th in the ratings of Canada's top 10 Senior Lady Golfers.
In 1969 Joan served as our Ladies Captain and donated the trophy which is now awarded each year at the Handicap Tournament. It has long been a pleasure to have Joan on hand each year to present that trophy, and to have her as a lively presence at the annual Past Captain's luncheon. In recognition of all of the above, Joan was fittingly awarded Honorary Life Membership in 1998.
A truly remarkable lady whose accomplishments were only outshone by her graciousness. Farewell, Joan; you will continue to inspire us all and will not be forgotten.