It began as nothing more than providing a helping hand with the local tournaments her husband regularly participated in. Forty years later and Anne Peabody is still contributing towards the betterment of amateur golf in this province.
The longtime South Delta resident was recognized for her remarkable volunteer work last weekend when the B.C. Golf Association presented her with its Distinguished Service Award at the organization's AGM in Richmond. Closer to home, members of the Tsawwassen Ladies Golf Club paid tribute to her at its season opening breakfast on Tuesday.
More honours could be coming her way too. Peabody has been nominated for the Prime Minster Volunteer Award as well as the Order of British Columbia which recognizes the excellence and achievements of B.C. residents.
"It started as just a way to be part of something that my husband was doing" recalled Peabody of her involvement in golf. "District 5 was then looking for a new course rater and they asked me if I wanted to do it."
She would eventually be introduced to the slope rating system too. Peabody estimates she has graded about 50 courses around the province.
"It's basically a calculation system that looks at each course and can allow say a bogey handicap player to play with a scratch player on a equitable bases," explained Peabody. "It really was a breakthrough that isn't really possible in any other sport. I don't think many realize what a highly complex system it is. Basically you are looking at 14 factors on each hole, everything from hazards to trees, to determine how it's scored."
Peabody would become the Provincial Course Handicap Chair and that was just the start of more responsibility coming her way. She would eventually serve as vice-president then president of the B.C. Ladies Golf Association. When organization merged with men's to become the BCGA, she was named president in 2006.
She has taken a step back from the executive duties but still serves in a significant position on the BCGA Governance Committee.
Peabody admits all the volunteer work and her time in the boardroom has taken somewhat of a toll on her own game which was solid enough to win top honours with the Tsawwassen Ladies for 12 consecutive years. She still tees it up every Tuesday, as well as on Thursdays with another ladies club at the Surrey Golf Course.
So what keeps her still wanting to be involved in the administrative side of the sport? Since her husband Gerald passed away, she has relied on the tremendous support and encouragement of her children. She knows she is making a difference for the average casual weekend player.
"I think a lot of people view golf as a sport you need to have a lot of money to play," she said. "But there are a lot of good courses out there with very reasonable green fees. A considerable amount of our time goes towards junior development and our (introductory) school program has been a big success."
