RAY CLARK A TRIBUTE BY DAVID APPLEGARTH APPLES 20 / 12 / 2018 / AT PACIFIC GOLF CLUB CELEBRATIONS
HELLO My name is David APPLEGARTH APPLES TO MANY a long standing friend of RAY & FAMILY .
There is a quaint old saying (SILENT GRATITUDE IS NOT MUCH USE TO ANY ONE) and so it is that i am pleased to have the chance to say a few words about RAY CLARK TODAY
CLARKIE / IRISH / PADDY Was a dear friend and mate to many like me here today . In so many ways RAY lived life to its fullest and gave so much energy to many activities / organisations and charities alike .
Today i have been asked to relate to you all the wonderful contribution he made to the BDVGA AS A MEMBER,VICE PRESIDENT CAPTAIN AND LIFE MEMBER a post which he held with distinction until his passing last week .RAY joined the vets around 1997 , in the year 2000 in his own unique style he virtually stole the role of VICE/PRESIDENT. I recall we were having a drink in the bar at Pacific. the president of the day announced that the annual general meeting was to take place in a downstairs meeting room . RAY announced I am going to that meeting to see what goes on with this committee . When it came to announcing the committee Ray noticed there was no Vice president asked the question answer NO NOMINATION so Ray announces WELL I’M IN He was accepted and on his way with BDVGA.
After a while on committee Ray as only Ray can decide he saw himself as CLUB CAPTAIN material, a position of some note where he could MAKE A DIFFERENCE On waiting for Barry ATKINSON the then captain to move to President..in 2006 Ray got his wish.WELL THE REST IS HISTORY he made the new job his own supported as usual by Dear SHEELAGH .
The vets went from playing fortnightly to weekly,he negotiated deals with many more clubs and resort courses where we play he influenced more members from other clubs to join us . THE club via his lateral and structural imagination saw many changes. We now have Match play finals, NAGA PRIZES each week, photo gallery of members and many other competition units of interest to members.The vets website came on line during RAYS time, members were encouraged to read it regularly for info and make comments also to send E/MAILS rather than phoning about whether or not they could play . I am sure Sheelagh was relieved . Here i wish to mention the number of vets with computer skills who supported RAY in his endeavours .THANKS BLOKES as RAY would say i know your work was greatly appreciated by RAY and the rest of us . Match day committees were formed and have become the norm RAY could then sit back and direct operations which he richly deserved to do.
Both at Pacific and with the VETS i played golf with RAY always with a side bet on the outcome even if only the usual PINT OF GUINNESS .RAY LOVED MATCH PLAY . In recent years RAY would get frustrated and annoyed at THOSE BLOODY TREES that suddenly jumped out in front of his well hit ball, he thought sometimes that Lady Luck had deserted him and suddenly jumped to the opponents side.
ALSO one day i recall were playing the first hole v/s others , we finished i had a wash/no points RAY HAD A 3 POINTER He turned to me and said i will go for the WIN you go for the NAGA prize. THAT WAS OUR FRIEND RAY . RAY was very strong willed. He never let it show that he feared dying and maintained a happy spirit in spite of the difficulties he was experiencing, In the past few weeks the first give up sign became clear to me. I asked would we see you at golf on Monday He said NO APPLES it hurts me now to see you guys playing and I will be unable to join you again .
Well today as we celebrate this special guys life amongst us we could well say THE LUCK WE SHARED IN KNOWING RAY HAS DESERTED ALL OF US,
Our wish for you dear RAY is that in the next phase of your being that there are plenty of golf courses in heaven, lots of choirs to sing with and that you have linked arms with your love ones and friends who have passed before you REST PEACEFULLY OLD FRIEND
