Royal touch

By KEITH PUARIA
QUEEN Elizabeth II has granted Port Moresby’s Golf Club a change of name to ‘The Royal Port Moresby Golf Club’.In a “high voltage” double dose og good news for the club and its course, the government through Sport Minister Justin Tkatchenko also announced a K3 million grant as part of its Pacific Games 2015 facility improvement budget to develop the greens and build a 3m high “impenetrable” fence around the course’s perimeter.In celebration of her 60-year reign and recognition as Queen of the Commonwealth, including Papua New Guinea, her majesty granted the name change in a letter dated Oct 29, which was received by the Governor General’s office on Nov 6.
Sixty-one royal golf clubs are currently recognised around the world and Port Moresby’s name change now makes number 62, with the Queen last granting a name change in 2007.
“This is great news, something very special,” Tkatchenko said.
“The golf club has been trying for 10 years with this request.
“This new title will give great honour to our golf course throughout the Pacific, the world and especially to our country.”
Club president Stan Walker, who is a member of the Logohu, could not say too much before the formal announcement about the royal recognition set for early next year, but could not resist the excitement of the end of eight to nine years of work for recognition for the club.
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“Since 2003, our intention was to have an embellishment for the golf clubs75 anniversary, which was in 2006, but that could not happen, and we are extremely excited and pleased that her majesty has granted the change of name this year, in the 60 year of her reign as Queen of Papua New Guinea.”
“My application was endorsed by the sports minister, and went directly to the governor general, which has seen this favorable recognition from the queen finally.
It is a significant achievement for the golf club since its establishment in1931.”
Ten years of trying for the golf club was easily fast-tracked to three months through the minister’s office for the new title to be granted, and an added tick in the box for the former ‘Happy Gardener’.
“I would personally like to thank the Governor General for his assistance in this long outstanding matter,” Tkatchenko added.
Walker said that the club would undertake a formal presentation early next year, complete with an appropriate royal logo, after it was approved by Buckingham Palace.
The K3m commitment for the facility improvement by the government meanwhile will ensure the security of its high-profiled members, amongst the total 850 club patrons, ahead of 2015.
“Security is paramount so this is extremely important for the notable high-profile people who attend the club,” Walker said.
He added however, that the golf club would also contribute to the improvements from its own revenue resources.
“The Royal Golf Club is also contributing from its own revenue resources to the improvements.”