Nell Cavedon still putting along at Benalla Golf Club

By Hamish Donaldson

Jul 13, 2023

In the swing of things: Nell Cavedon enjoys the challenge of Benalla’s small greens and narrow fairways. Photo by Brenden Paddock

Few sports are able to be played competitively throughout a participant’s life.

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One that immediately comes to mind is golf, and Nell Cavedon, one of Benalla Golf Club’s most experienced members, would surely agree.

Cavedon first teed off at the Benalla course around 1967 and has enjoyed playing there ever since.

“It’s got small greens, very narrow fairways and lots of trees,” she said.

“When I started golf at the Benalla Golf Club the old golf house was still there. The white ants got it, so we had to build another clubhouse.

“I don’t play any (other sports) now because I’m too old but I have played a lot of sport in my day. All my learning is gone. I used to play off a single figure handicap.

“I still play in the competition. I won the masters in the championship and I won the B grade.”

Over any golfing career, a player’s dream is to hit a hole in one — and Cavedon well and truly achieved that aim.

“Over my time I’ve had four holes in one, they’re all memorable. It’s quite exciting when you hit a hole in one,” she said.

“I actually have had five. Someone saw it (the fifth hole in one) but it wasn’t in a competition, so it didn’t count.”

Cavedon has won a number of competitions over the decades at Benalla.

She has taken out the club championship five times and the foursomes championship on 12 occasions, alongside representing the north-east in pennant and in Melbourne, and the pennant side for Benalla.

Cavedon has also been captain of the golf club three times, a position she found rewarding.

“I found it very involving and it was nice to meet and welcome new players,” she said.

“I like to mix each round and play with new players.

“The thing about golf is that it is very sociable. I wouldn’t have met so many people around the north-east if I hadn’t played golf and pennant.”

Cavedon has a piece of advice for players looking to replicate her competitive longevity.

“Just keep coming and make sure you putt properly,” she said.

“It is like football (when getting the ball in front of goals and taking a shot), because it’s not much point getting the ball on the green if you can’t get it in the hole.”