Direct descendants of a Dunedin golfing legend gathered from across the globe at the weekend to partake in a golf tournament held annually in their ancestor’s honour.
Golfers gathered at the Otago Golf Club in Dunedin on Saturday to compete for the Kenneth Ross Memorial Trophy — named in honour of a club member who won multiple championships in and out of New Zealand.
The cup was first presented in 1943 by Alex Sime Snr, a close friend of Dr Ross.
This year, four of Dr Ross’ direct ancestors made the pilgrimage to Dunedin to compete.
Dr Ross’ grandson, Ken Ross, of England, said it was “rather exciting” to be playing in a tournament named after his grandfather.
“It’s a great tribute that some felt that they should create a cup and play it in your honour … it’s very special.”
Mr Ross had been to the tournament once before, 25 years ago, with his wife, but the weather had been so bad they had only played six holes.
“We’ve come back to see the rest now,” he said.
Dr Ross was born in Tain, Scotland in 1883 and was involved with golf from a young age.
He won six-hole and nine-hole course competitions as a junior.
In his first year of playing with the seniors he won the Cazenove Shield, the top prize in the Tain golf course’s autumn tournament at the time, after tying with the reigning club champion.
A keen sportsman, he represented Scotland in the 1908 Olympic Games in London.
Mr Ross said his grandfather was also academically gifted.
“None of the genes have come off enough … a real pain, really. Some people just have it all,” he said.
His grandfather studied medicine at the University of Aberdeen and after one year of working, emigrated to New Zealand in 1911, eventually landing in Dunedin.
He played at the Otago Golf Club regularly and eventually came to hold the course record.
When World War 1 broke out, he served aboard hospital ship SS Maheno and was involved in tending to and evacuating soldiers injured during the Gallipoli campaign.
When back in Dunedin, he became a respected ear, nose and throat doctor.
In 1926, he was a runner-up in the New Zealand Open and from 1914 onwards won 14 club championships.
Mr Ross said his grandfather died in 1942 at 58.
“In most of the caricatures you’ll see of him, he has a cigarette in his mouth — there seems no doubt that he probably had cancer of the lung.”
He died during World War 2 and Dr Ross’ friend, Alex Sime Snr, remarked to his son on the former’s deathbed that it was “a great shame” that “Kenny” would never know the result of the World War 2, Mr Ross said.
laine.priestley@odt.co.nz
