The PGA of Australia’s prestigious Life Membership honour roll increased last night with Randall Vines, Mark Duder, David Graham and William Husband all elevated to Life Members after being voted in by their peers at the PGA’s Annual General Meeting held at Royal Melbourne Golf Club.

Duder and
Husband were both in attendance to officially accept their induction and humbled
by the honour, particularly knowing their fellow Members had supported their
nominations, which were put forward by the PGA Board.

"I feel most
honoured but at the same time very humbled to be considered by my peers in this
way, " said Duder.

"Thank you so
much, this award means an awful lot to me."

Duder, who
recently received the WA Golf Industry Recognition Award for his contribution
to golf in Western Australia, has been a full Member of the PGA for 50 years
after arriving in Australia from Great Britain in 1961 and commenced his PGA
Traineeship at the Royal Queensland Golf Club under the guidance of renowned
Professional and fellow PGA Member Charlie Earp, before finishing at Royal
Perth Golf Club under Charlie Newman.

"Golf has been
very kind to me and I’ve always enjoyed the great friendship of fellow Members
in this wonderful organisation,"

Duder also
acknowledged the support of the Western Australia PGA Committee and Chairman
Robert Farley for nominating him and the Board and PGA Members for ratifying
it.

Husband also
thanked the Tasmanian PGA Committee for his nomination, Members who voted for
him and those who gave him assistance and advice over the years.

"By receiving
this honour I am representing the everyday golf Professional, who loves the
game of golf, who deals with the problems and shares the joys that golf
sometimes dishes out," said Husband

Husband
commenced his PGA Traineeship in 1963 with Mike Kelly at Roseville Golf Club
and finished at Wyong Golf Club in 1967 under Tom Linskey. After coaching
throughout country South Australia Husband moved to Tasmania in 1972 where he
worked, until retirement in 2009, at Launceston Golf Club as Head Professional.
Husband coached state junior and men’s squads and pioneering statistical
measurement of skills for elite golf in conjunction with Don Cameron, one of
Tasmania’s top amateur golfers, and Dr. Louis McGill from Launceston College.

"I am someone
who has tried to promote the game and like the rest of us, to grow the game of
golf to benefit us all."

David Graham and Randall Vines were unfortunate apologies, but their
contributions to the PGA have been immense. Vines has played on the PGA Tour of
Australasia, European Tour and Asian Tour securing a number of wins across
Australia and overseas, including back to back victories at the Australian PGA
Championship in 1972 and 1973. While Graham commenced his formative years as a
Trainee under George Naismith at Riversdale Golf Club before a stellar tournament
career which saw him become a two time Major winner at the US PGA Championship
in 1979 and the US Open in 1981. Although primarily
competing in the US, Graham was
a regular competitor on the PGA Tour of Australasia.  

Duder, Husband,
Graham and Vines join a prominent list of Australian Professionals who have
received Life Membership of the PGA, including Norman Von Nida, Kel Nagle,
Peter Thomson AO, Peter Ormbsy, Kel Llewellyn, Greg Norman and Ian Baker-Finch.