The Cec Judge Jug is a New England District Golf Association (NEDGA) competition for district wide golfers. Typically, between 60 and 90 golfers come from many areas in the New England to enjoy a day at the beautiful Glen Innes Golf Club (GIGC). This 4 ball par competition tees off at 10am on Sunday 9th February, with a presentation to the winning pair around 1-2pm. The 2024 winners were Geoff Phillips and Mick Grob and the Jug bears the names of many winners.
Cecil Judge was raised at Ben Lomond with his two brothers and two sisters, the first born of Charles David Judge and Margaret Judge. He was educated at the New England Grammar School, King’s School and Sydney University. After completing 2nd year at Sydney University he enrolled in the AIF as a Second Lieutenant for WW1.
As a soldier, he landed in Gallipoli on 26 April 1915, and was amongst the reinforcements for the shattered battalion at the historic battle at Lone Pine. He also served in France, Palestine, Persia, Azerbaijan and Vladivostok. He rose quickly through the ranks to Major. It was in the Battle of Broodseinde, in France, that he was awarded the Military Cross, and in the re-occupation of Baku that he gained the bar to the Military Cross. He was also mentioned in despatches. Cecil Judge spoke at least 5 languages fluently and served in the Dunster Force of the British Imperial Army. He was a keen early photographer, recording amazing images on glass plates that are now available on the Australian War Memorial website.
After the war, Cecil returned to Australia and purchased the property “Oak Park” at Glencoe from NL Green. He married Amy Nixon, and they had two children, Norman and Betty. Cecil was passionate about his livestock, modern grazing and agricultural processes such as the Keyline Plan, a keen gardener,
tree grower and sportsman. He had his own 9 hole golf course at “Oak Park” but also played a hard game of tennis, winning the singles championship in 1926. With several others, he volunteered many hours planting and tending many of the non-native trees at the GIGC, especially the pines and cypresses, and helped with the establishment of fairways. He was on the Golf Club Committee, and held various positions including Vice President, President and Patron.
Cecil passed away in 1963 and it is noted on his tombstone, which is located on his beloved property, overlooking a forest of pines, the inscription “Fortunae iussa vel extremo spiritu non recusavit” — translated as, “He did not refuse the commands of Fortune, even with his last breath.” He has left an amazing legacy which is honoured by the dedication of the 15th Fairway and the establishment of the Cec Judge Jug.
