SIXTY YEARS OF GOLF.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20920, 29 July 1933, Page 20

SIXTY YEARS OF GOLF.

THE CHRISTCHURCH CLUB. SOME REAL ENTHUSIASTS. (Contributed.) V. The writer is indebted to a number of gentlemen associated with the Christchurch Golf Club in its earlier days, who have as-i-ied him with reminiscences. And \s one reads them one's admiration - ows for the enthusiasm and love of the game that inspired the " old-timers" and made possible its establishment on the splendid footing that it enjoys to-day. This week the writer has received a letter from R. L. M. Kitto, who is still a member of the club, and who brought it renown in the days that are gone, by defeating the mighty Arthur Duncan, when the prophets were busy about him, in a round of the New Zealand Championship, played at Dunedin. Mr Kitto 'must remember with some pride, in view of Mr Duncan's subsequent record, his achievement on that occasion. It is needless to say that he makes no mention of it in his letter, but he has much to say about the late Mr Edmund Wilder, one of the real enthusiasts of the old days and one of the most notable characters in New Zealand golf. Two of Mr Wilder's daughters, Mrs J. D. Ormond, of Wallingford, Hawke's Bay, and Mrs Cyril Williams, of Atua, Hawke's Bay, have been in Christchurch this week attending the conference of Women's Institutes. "Mr Edmund Wilder, who was captain of the club at the time of which you are writing," says Mr Kitto in his letter, " was one of the keenest as well as the most picturesque figures of New Zealand golf. He used to play in an M.C.C. blazer, riding breeches and puttees, and was easily located on the links at any time. He was always full of enthusiasm and had laid out a very good nine hole course on his property at Fernside, 30 miles from Christchurch. He annually invited a team from the club, and these outings were keenly looked forward to by the members. "I enclose a sketch of Mr Wilder which appeared in the "Spectator" (now defunct) about 1898. " I used frequently to ride up to his place on my bicycle at the week-end, play all day, and ride home again the same evening—60 miles for a game of golf! "Mr J. Cracroft Wilson also had a six-hole course at Cashmere, which provided excellent practice for a few enthusiasts who had the privilege of playing there. " About this time J. M. Turnbull was hunting for new links, and picked some land on the right of the Ferry road, before reaching the Heathcote bridge. It was quite unsuitable, being too swampy and intersected by large drains, full of muddy water. I played there only once, and lost eight balls in the drains ! It was known as Ferrymead, but I doubt if anyone else remembers it now, as it was very shortlived." , , Mr Kitto encloses also the photographs, reproduced on this page with the sketch of Mr Wilder, of some notables of early days at Shirley. The group of three includes Mr Kitto himself, Mr E. D. O'Rorke (after whom the 11th hole i 3 named), and Dr. Graham Campbell, who was hon. secretary for a number of years. Early Days at Shirley. The establishment of the club at Shirley solved the problem of a permanent home for the club. Nine holes of the Hagley Park links were kept open for some time after the club moved to Shirley, though an attempt was early made by Mr Condell to sever all connexion with the Hagley course. It is worth while diving back into the minutes to discover interesting and amusing tit-bits. It is mentioned, for instance, that Mr R. Somerville, of Timaru, wrote offering to supply golf balls at lis a dozen, and that the secretary was instructed to write for a sample dozen. Those, of course, were "gutties." "Craigoark" balls, evidently a superior brand, were offered by the Land and Mortgage Company at 12s 6d a dozen, and 12 dozen were ordered. Probably members expected to get another 10 yards out of the more expensive article. What a land company was doing selling golf balls is not clear. One suspects that the manager was a golfer as well as a business man. Since then there have been many vogues in balls, particularly since the rubber-cored ball first came on the market. One remembers " Haskells," " Colonels, "Challengers," "Glory Dimples' (the last, from its nomenclature, was probably an American ball. It was sold at a very stiff price, and was supposed to be the last word in length production). The Ladies' Club receives occasional mention in the minutes. In 1900 the Ladies' Club secretary wrote agreeing to share in the upkeep of the Hagley links. Mr Reeves mentions that there Is no official record until this minute of any moneys being paid by the Ladies* Club for the benefit of their P Another note of interest to the ■women players mentions that Mr "Wilder asked the committee to confirm his action in sending a notice of motion to the Golf Council about the admission of Ladies' Clubs to the council. "Personally," Mr Reeves comments, " I think that for all parties concerned the ladies' clubs are better suited under their own golf union. And one must agree with him. it is no secret that the women's organisation is in many ways superior to the men's. The men, for instance, nave yet to evolve a system of handicapping that can compare in efficiency with the L.G.U. method. _„ . iU , Recorded in June, 1900, is the election of Messrs F. M. B. Fisher (a noted tennis player and a former Minister of the Crown, who is now living in England), J. O. Jameson (a life member who has done admirable work for the club and was for many years hon. secretary), J. Delama , in '„ D - H - Reid, W. D. Fox and W. T. Thomas. There was a fine spirit in the cluo in those days. One minute notes a resolution that every Saturday after the monthly medal competition the game should be confined to foursomes for the purpose of coaching beginners. Move for Club House. The first attempt to secure a club house failed. The committee decided to issue a circular to members recommending that the lease system for the Shirley links should continue but that a club house and caretaker's cottage should be built, voting papers to be sent out asking members to vote for or against and also to state their •willingness to guarantee the interest on the expenditure. "Really," says Mr Reeves, "the present members do not know how little is asked of them." With which one cordially agrees, but it is worth noting that the poll rejected the proposal. Only 30 papers were returned, 17 voting for and 13 against. There was probably some obscure reason for a resolution of the committee about this time not to keep supplies of whisky at the Shirley links. The hut at Hagley was eventually moved to Shirley. At the same time the greens' committee was authorised to spend 12s a week on the upkeep of the Hagley course. The club was still having trouble in keeping these Jinks in order. It was reported in June, 1901, that Hagley was ready for play, but was being cut up by preparations being made for holding a review in the park. Subsequently the club protested to the Domain . Board at having to pay £5 a year rental for Hagley when it had only half the park as links. In reply, the Domain Board wrote saying that £5 was the

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least rental it would accept iarßqflHt and it was decided to write !»•«: board saying that the club canM Mh see its way to take up the the-state of the ground made it pw cally useless as a golf course. . * Young people yere being eaeWte. - aged to take up golf. It was dtaffp in September, 1901, that an tion to the committee boys of leirflM 21 years should be allowed to omJM links on payment of an annual spr scription of 10s 6<L U Mr R. L. Orbell was presented wat the Champion Cup and Mr ItaM? with the Cox Cup, a trophy for gWBfIV of handicaps of more than 10, off VHOi he was the first winner. __i_j Dr. Graham Campbell in Don 1901, resigned the nou. in which he had given the cW> did service, as he was going taßff land. His duties were tautWWf taken over by Mr R- L. M. Ohk jjH Mr J. O. Jameson was elected tm wm position in 1902, in which Justice Denniston became inaWKr Professional CoiHrif. For the first time a profiagg# coach assisted members when wc the Auckland Club's at Shirley for five weeks from Jmfm. 1902. ■ > In that year negotiations opawf with the ladies' club for uiinTt»mMPß with the men's club. Miss TMCBMw was then the ladies' captainagreement, however, was no* *•* eluded tm June, 1903. . One notes with interest that up II that time the distances belma.wi and greens had apparently not wWt measused, but it was decided toljg* this done for the benefit of During 1902 the Shirley Gotf IWI Company was formed and the MM* were purchased by the ciwnpmmy. R. L. Orbell was elected a life aaif of the club and a presentation made to him in recognition of his>«M in connexion with the purchase «•* links. It was decided on August 2St to recommend the acceptance <» * tender for £755 for building club house, which was officially by the Governor-General. Lord M* furly, on March 21. The question of an entrance fee y new members first came under «•» sideration at a general mteting » November, 1902. Eventually decided to impose an entrance Ht £2 2s for playing membets. __ The early conservatism abo«a JM* formation of a body to control Wy Zealand golf had apparently U® gradually broken down, tor ».» noted that in August, 1903, the wM delegate to the New Zealand was instructed that the Christa** Club would give up all privileges** sured to itself as an original diA J® the exception of privilege No. 3.. t* the New Zealand Championship played in the North and South alternately." . a Mr Norton Francis, who president of the club, was iki w*l • member in October, 1903. . " Individual members did bbb," help the club in those days. Blurt" l * is made of such assistance as the sentation to the club by Mr *• <■» Barnett of 15 paid-up shares m «■? Shirley Links Company, and at * construction of a new green IM "r new tees at his own expense by Mf L. Muggeridge. Mr name is perpetuated in the third which is named after him. _ A recent correspondent in y Press " finds a supporter in the ical physician of a paragraph COW"* from a Christ church newspaper years ago by Mr Kitto and here w produced. . " Golf ? " the physician said w** sigh. " Golf, or more couKjg golficitis, must be designated fourth dementia. Golficitis is » " manent addition to English «*** and is attracting the attention of taP* ing alienists. This mania dittos j others and is incurajrie. Its j are a loathing for legitimate busSgg an abnormal disposition to 4 profanity and nervous irritatatffcj* 5 passion for giddy and eccentric' igr- J ments, a profund contempt for tffg j a hatred of domestic restraint. panied by flushed face and a depi*** jy love of out of doors." * « CXo be continuwU Ji