Stephen “Tiecky” Tieck

Stephen Tieck is a PGA professional who prides himself on member golf services at Pro-Shops, and makes his visitors feel most welcome during their stays. He always goes the extra mile in remembering everyone’s name and where they’re from, to make their visit extra special.

He arrived in Alice in 2008, planning to stay for 3 years with 3 kids and wife, fast forward to 2023 and it’s safe to say his home was always here. Along with raising kids here, Tiecky coached the NT Junior Team of 2009-2010, and coached the Country Team to a big win against City in 2009. He Had a HUGE win with Ladies Sports Ministers Cup in Alice in 2011. In 2012, he started the Paul Pearson Cup & Coaching Camp which ran for 10 years. He also became a member with the Beefsteak & Burgundy club lasting for 11 years.

Tiecky is synonymous with a tiger. He is sharp as anything, his stripes are symbolic of his achievements and he can’t stand lying around doing nothing, and that’s why his tenure at the Alice Springs Golf Club has been so flourishing. His beloved Richmond Tigers team won the 2017, 2019 and 2020 premiership, and members will chuckle at his Richmond memorabilia that hung at the Pro-Shop. Members and staff of the club will all have fond and lasting memories of this man, but there’s one thing for sure, he’ll always be remembered for having a Coopers or Red in his hand after a long day’s work.

Tiecky said Farewell to the club in 2023 to start his next adventure in Toowoomba.

Pat McMahon

In 1967 Pat McMahon and her late husband John moved to Alice Springs for 3 months to work for TNT. Like a lot of us, they stayed, for a long time too. Pat spent a lot of her time at the Alice Springs Golf Club where she became the ladies’ captain, alongside the men’s captain Doug Fraser. They had the pleasure of being involved in the inaugural Masters Games 1986 held in Alice Springs (then called the Central Australian Masters Games) and only the second event of its kind to be staged in the world. Pat is a proud life member of the club with these milestones behind her. The women around her and Pat herself have lead the way for a more inclusive environment for women to play golf in. If you join them for a drink and a chat on a Wednesday, you’ll be in for a story or two. Pat has a strong presence when she comes to the club and is always dressed exquisitely. I wanted to paint Pat as that vibrant, independent and characteristic lady she is.

Marty came to Australia in 1969, and found himself in Alice Springs a few years later. He came from Ireland to escape the cold… I think a lot of people come to the Territory because of that. My mum did, too.

He became the caretaker of the Alice Springs Golf course and an important person to the club. You’ll find him in his spot in the 19th, where he’ll be sinking Iron Jacks throughout the arvo, waiting for the sun to go down to walk home, an easy stroll 100 metres from the clubhouse. We love serving Marty at the bar, talking to him about golf and playing Who wants to be a Millionaire with him.

This piece will be an entrant into the 2019 Senior Territorian Portraiture Award, and shortly be hanging inside the clubhouse, next to other notable characters of the club. Cheers, Marty.

Murray Neck
(Words from Murray)
My association with the Alice Springs East Side Golf Club began in 1937 when my father, Golf Club president at the time invited me to accompany him now and again during a round. When the Army’s Transport Division arrived in Alice Springs in 1940 to carry supplies from the rail terminal to Darwin, it took possession of the Golf Course. The N.T. Government offered the Golf Club a number of replacement sites and I can recall accompanying my father and some of the committee when they inspected the current location. It took some time to realise what a wonderful site it was and has since proved its uniqueness and beautiful view ranks it high amongst Desert Golf Courses. It took many members working bees with bulldozers and graders to shape a reasonable 18-hole dirt course with oiled scrapes for greens and oiled mounds for tees. During those early days golf was only played during the cooler months but with a few years’ improvements and with an ex-Army William Steel building as a Club House the course was kept playable all year round. I became a playing a member in 1953 after my football days were over and two years later was elected Secretary. That year the committee had the course fenced and to gain secure possession of the land had the lease altered from miscellaneous lease to a special purpose lease. Having spent 10 years on the committee I accepted the position of President and at the time our club became one of the first Golf Clubs in Australia to grant Associate members full voting rights. Membership of both members and Associates grew each year, visiting golfers were regular players and a yearly professional golfers tournament was held with local prize money. Since then, I have been inducted as a life member and have been Patron of the Club.

Brian (Pep) Pepper

Below are some of the achievements Brian has next to him relating to the Alice Springs Golf Club. What it doesn’t include is his involvement in evacuating Darwin residents during Cyclone Tracy and his cheeky laughter in the 19th hole with the rest of his golfing mates who have been dubbed the ‘The Table of Knowledge’.
Brian sat for me for the first session, and then I used a photo from 1983 which proved to be quite the challenge trying to capture a younger Pep whilst still keeping up with a modern Pep appearance.

Brian joined Alice Springs Golf Club INC. in 1982 where he watched the development from the “old course” to the Championship Course we play on today

ELECTED Management Committee 1989.

ELECTED to PRESIDENT 1990

SERVED 8 Years in that position

1997 AWARDED “NT SPORTS ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR” for achieving recognition of our new course by the AUSTRALIAN GOLF UNION to hold AUSTRALIAN “TITLED” EVENTS. INCLUDING AUST. JUNIORS AND AUST. INTERSTATE SERIES, which we were “INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN 2000”.

Also created the opportunity to holding a Sanctioned PGA event, the first on our new course

Instigated “Teams Matchplay” The forerunner of the N.T. Intra-state Pennants

After stepping down as PRESIDENT, BRIAN was awarded Life Membership for outstanding contribution towards the Alice Springs Golf Club.
Brian then served 5 years on the Board of Golf NT.

This portrait of Olive Pink (Thanks to Maxine Hawker) sitting on Nurse Hill brought my whole exhibition together. Buffel Busting was a solo exhibition about the efforts of local landcare groups and individuals making positive impacts on the environment. Olive Pink was an extraordinary role model for the generation today and I was lucky enough to find a model that captured her spirit and values. Here she sits at her favourite spot, sketching the native species she cares and loves for.

Judy
Chalk pastel on paper
400mm x 600mm

Graeme Jakobsen
Chalk pastel on paper

Roger and Judy
Chalk pastel on paper

Short glass, Half Bacardi on the rocks with a bottle of coke. Roger’s classic drink for a classy man.
The photograph had Judy and Roger separated by 2 other people in the middle, so bringing them together was a nice challenge. I found that their clothing accentuated their skin tones and complemented each other as a couple, balancing each other out. The framed painting in the background helped to further balance the piece, bringing the subjects together and adding context.

Mitch Tieck at Graduation
Chalk Pastel on Paper

I think everyone would be proud to see Mitch graduate and follow on in his families footsteps of being humble and professional role models. Their presence and efforts are largely felt at the Alice Springs Golf Club and is always nice to see one of the Tieckys walking around with their lovely smiles. Mitch loves the quietness of Alice, and the feeling of friendliness by being a small city, having friends so close. I think this grounds him and keeps him humbled, when interstate.

Nancy and David
Chalk pastel on paper

Baz
Chalk pastel on paper

This is Baz. He’s the Golf Club’s mascot who checks in on the restaurant every couple of weeks to make sure everything is running smoothly. You might also find him out on the course being a Caddy for the afternoon. You’re a gem, mate.

Bailey
Chalk pastel on paper

Celia Otley
Chalk pastel on paper

In 2018 Celia was awarded the Senior Territorian award for collecting and recycling bottles to raise money for junior golfers and to purchase books for children. She is also a dedicated volunteer and full member of the Alice Springs Golf Club. As a bartender at the club, I am lucky enough to serve her a lovely glass of ‘Shaw n Smith’ Sav Blanc each week. Cheers, Celia.

Tiecky and Jess
Chalk Pastel on Paper

Steve ‘Tiecky’ Tieck works at the Alice Springs Golf Club’s Pro Shop as the leading Golf Pro who has one of the most disciplined work ethics I know. You’ll catch him zooming around in a golf cart, shirt always tucked in, always looking spic n spec! His daughter, Jess, also a fantastic golfer was up in Darwin for the Palmerston Junior Clinic 2016. It’s an honour to paint a portrait for these two stars!

Wayne ‘Krafty’ Kraft
Chalk Pastel on paper

Krafty is a true Territorian. Owner of The Overlander’s Steakhouse in Alice Springs and a regular guest on Tourist Gold FM Radio Station, where he tells informative stories and explains the meanings behind street names throughout Alice. He’ll welcome you to the territory with a beer and some great stories. This portrait was a live sitting inside the Steakhouse, created for the Senior Territorian Portraiture Award, 2017. Cheers, Krafty.

Eddy Merckx
Acrylic on Canvas

Leonard Cohen (You Want It Darker - Album Cover)
Acrylic on canvas
750mm x 650mm

This overseas commission of Leonard Cohen was a lot of fun. Prior to this I only knew the classic ‘Hallelujah’ and it gave me a chance to listen to his music a bit more while painting. Leonard’s seductive and mysterious voice correlates with his look on the album cover, making the overall tone of the work not dark, but fitting and fun.

Brody and Loki
Chalk pastel on paper

Nikki
Chalk pastel on paper
A4