WHEN the Bendigo Advertiser called Len Prior to speak about his Victorian Golf Industry volunteer of the year award he was fittingly playing golf.
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If he isn't busy organising the Bendigo Golf Club's Sevens tournament, running clinics for juniors, or pitching in wherever else he can, the 69-year-old can be found whacking away on the fairways at Epsom, or his favourite Thursday destination the Rich River Country Club.
Bendigo Golf Club manager Steven Oliver said Prior was loved and valued by all associated with the club.
"He's a living legend in golf in this region for his playing ability, but he's certainly been instrumental in his volunteer work around the place," he said.
"Most days he is out having a hit or doing something at the club - it's certainly a huge part of Len's life.
"He's just a fantastic acquisition and certainly well deserving of his award."
It's not just Oliver and the club's more than 700 members who agree Prior is worth his weight in gold.
Even former Liberal leader Ted Baillieu stopped by the club when he was Premier in 2012 to praise Prior and his contribution to the game he loves.
He is not the first club member to win the award, with Bruce Arthur crowned volunteer of the year a few years earlier.
Oliver believed the club was in good shape with volunteers like Prior and Arthur about the place.
"Volunteers are really critical to the club," he said.
"Every volunteer deserves an award, but certainly these people who win or get nominated for these types of things go above and beyond.
"Len has certainly done that over his time."
(Golf) is certainly a huge part of Len's life.
- Steven Oliver
His win was announced at the Victorian Golf Industry Awards dinner at Huntingdale Golf Club on Wednesday night.
The annual celebration honours individuals and organisations who have made significant achievements and contributions to the sport throughout the year.
It was a special occasion for another golfer with links to Bendigo, with Sandra McCaw inducted into the Hall of Fame.
The former Bendigo resident has a lengthy list of international and domestic achievements, including an equal-record four Australian championships in 1972, '74, '83 and '84.
McCaw won the world pairs championship with Sue Tonkin in Colombia in 1985 and was a British championship semi-finalist at St Andrew's in 1975.
She represented Australia more than 30 times between 1971 and 1987 and was national junior champion in 1971. McCaw was crowned Bendigo Sports Star of the Year in 1976, the first golfer to win the award.
