The Council of The Royal Melbourne Golf Club is very sad to announce the death of our much-loved and admired Chief Executive Officer, Paul Rak.
Paul passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, late in the afternoon on Saturday 5 September.
Paul was 60.
Paul began his career in golf in 1968, aged 14, when he caddied at Royal Melbourne. During his final year of school at St Bede's College, Mentone, he then moved to a part-time position serving in the Club's bar.
In 1974 he was offered a full-time position at Royal Melbourne as Assistant Bar Manager. He worked at Royal Melbourne for the next 20 years in various capacities, including House Manager, Assistant Secretary and Club Manager. During this time, he completed a Certificate of Catering at William Angliss College and TAFE Course in Certificate of Business Studies / Accounting.
In 1994 he was appointed General Manager at Kingston Heath Golf Club.
In 2008 he returned to Royal Melbourne as Chief Executive Officer.
Significant tournaments held during Paul's time at Kingston Heath include the 1994 and 1995 Tournament Players Championships, the 1995 and 2000 Australian Opens, three British Open qualifying events, and the 2008 Australian Women's Open.
During his time at Royal Melbourne the Club hosted The 2011 Presidents Cup, the 2013 World Cup of Golf, the 2013 Australian Masters and the 2012 and 2015 Australian Women's Opens.
Notably, five of his assistants moved to General Manager positions at other golf clubs, a sign of his wonderful people and leadership skills.
This year Paul was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for his services to golf and the community.
For the past seven years Paul has served the Members of Royal Melbourne with unfailing courtesy, wisdom and good humour.
We will miss him greatly, but his spirit will stay with us forever.
Our thoughts are with his family, wife Karen, daughters Sarah and Melissa, and son-in-law Jackson.
Funeral details will be advised shortly.
James King
Captain
Royal Melbourne GC