BRYAN TAYLOR
75 years of membership

In April 2025, the Club held a special day to celebrate Bryan Taylor's 75 years of membership.

Bryan, now an 88 year-old joined the club as a 13 year-old, when he was living near the course.

"I lived on Fox St when I was a kid and I had a dog, and we’d come across to the park and find golf balls and then I would sell them to the members here. This was in the late 1940s. Then I started having a bit of a hit around and joined in January 1950.”

Bryan had gone on to hold many roles during those years and although he’s no longer active on the golf course, he’s still often seen at the club house.

“It’s something you don’t think about, but it’s a nice wee accolade to look back on.”

With his legs now failing him, Bryan struggles to get around the course, so stopped playing back in May.

“That was my last nine-hole round. I played that for about three years, but it is just too hard now.”

He still comes down and potters around on the putting green and watches when he can.

“I thought I would miss playing but I’m not. You learn to adapt. I often come down on Saturdays and watch. I still know a lot of people at the club and have a bit of a chat with everyone.”

His love of golf got daughter Sharon Milne, son Clark Taylor and wife Diana into it.

Bryan with his and Diana's two chirldren, Sharon Milne and Clark Taylor

Bryan, who has two holes in one to his name, shot both on the second hole at Queens Park. His first was at 14-years-old and was believed to be the youngest in New Zealand to get one at the time. His second came 14 years later on his 28th birthday.

He’s had a large involvement with the club in those 75 years with a variety of roles ranging from administration to president. “It’s been a large part of my life being part of this great club.”

Bryan still loves coming down the club and chatting to various members despite no longer playing.

His name is on several honours boards from being club captain, to winning club championships.

“I was surprised that they did put something on for me. It was nice to be recognised. It was the Bryan Taylor Stableford Day and I sponsored it.”

Bryan went close to breaking the course record about 40 years ago, before falling agonisingly short. Taylor went from eight under to five under on the final two holes to miss the course record.

“That was a highlight for getting that close to breaking the course record.”

The Queens Park Golf Course has evolved a lot since he first joined.

“Those trees on 13 by the green weren’t there. There was nothing dividing 13 and 16 and nothing between 16 and 18. It was all just an open paddock then.

To celebrate the day, the club held a Bryan Taylor Stableford, and made a presentation to Bryan in the evening.

Following is Club Captain Graeme McKenzie’s address:

I would just like to welcome all of you to this opportunity to recognize the contribution and achievements of Bryan during his 75 years of continuous membership of Queens’ Park Golf club. Firstly, I would like to welcome Diana, Bryan’s wife and family Clark and Sharon. I would also like to welcome two of our life members, Stuart Low and Kevin Joyce.

The Queens Park Golf Club has a long and proud history with a number of very loyal and hard-working members ensuring that the club continues to run smoothly. Bryan is a good example of this, with his contribution probably unheralded.

I was fortunate enough to first meet Bryan in the mid-70s as a part of a very strong junior club under Bryan and Neville Walsh’s guidance. A number of very successful golfers thrived in this environment and grew into very successful golfers, competing strongly within the club and in some cases beyond. Sorry Bryan, I must have been a poor student as I’m not sure I lived up to some of these achievements.

Bryan’s resume is quite impressive

1950                Joined QP as a schoolboy member

1967-80           On Committee.  Served two years a Club Captain and two as President

1972-84           Organiser of Junior Club at QP in conjunction with Neville Walsh.  We had about 100 juniors.

1996                Appointed Life Member of the club

1974=86          Represented QP on Southland Golf Assn as the Town Delegate then served two years as Junior Vice President, two years Senior Vice President, two years President then two years as past President of Southland Association

1996-97           Honorary Vice President New Zealand Golf Association representing the South Island.  Officiated many times on behalf of NZ President throughout South Island.  Only second Southlander to serve in this position.

1965-00           Served on the Board of Golf Southland

Bryan is also a Patron of the club.

Over time represented Southland in both eight and twelve man teams and was Manager

Of Senior and Junior teams.

He served for several years on the Invitational Committee and was a member of the Eagles Golfing Society for 31 years.

Helping with starts for Golf in the Park to allow committee members to go out and play.

Golfing achievements

Senior Club Champion in 1982

Intermediate club champ in 1975 and 2006