GOLF PROBLEM OF CLASHES IN OPEN TOURNAMENT DATES

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28869, 14 April 1959, Page 6

GOLF PROBLEM OF CLASHES IN OPEN TOURNAMENT DATES

. Although members agreed that I the number of open tournaments I in the province was making it I impossible not to have some i clashing of dates, no move for I the reduction in tournaments ! will be made by the Canterbury I Golf Association’s management I committee. At its meeting last ; evening, the committee felt that a reduction would take place ■ simply because clubs would not j have sufficient entries. : “There have been several ob- • jections to our programme be- ; cause these is too much clashing • of dates,” said the secretary (Mr : G. W. A. Green). “It seems that ; we should consider trying to ■ achieve a better co-ordination of : dates.” It had been a difficult task last season arranging the tournament dates, said the chairman (Mr J. W. Dawson). If there were any more clubs applying for tournament dates there would be great problems in accommodating them without clashes. “However, we cannot refuse to allow clubs to hold tournaments.” The question of finance was I the all important one, said Mr > C. M. Turner. “It is quite evident ) that under the post-entry system, clubs will find they cannot fill | their fields because there is so [ much competition from other [ tournaments on the same days. I think the problem will solve itself, and some clubs drop out. I The problem had been aggra- ‘ vated last year because of the insertion of some North Canterbury open tournaments on the programme for the first time, said Mr J. C. Casserley. 4 The committee decided to taKe no action. Payment of Fees Non-payment of green fees by a few prominent players was criticised. A recent case at Hanmer Springs where two players had not paid their fees until threatened with reporting was cited by Mr Casserley. "For a small club which derives most of its revenue from green fees, it is scarcely fair for prominent players to adopt this attitude,” he said. The same situation arose at Hagley, said Mr F. J. Collins. "Some pleople regard the links as a public area, but they are leased from the city council. We have found it necessary for committee members to police the course during some week-ends.” “We can only rely on people’s honesty.” said Mr G. P. Anderson. “We can’t have green keepers galloping around the course collecting money.” “The matter will be brought to the attention of clubs. Nominations for manager of the team of six players to represent New Zealand at the second Commonwealth tournament at Johan-

nesburg this year were called for in a circular received from the New Zealand Golf Association. The circular said that nominations closed on June 19. The committee will consider making a nomination at its next meeting. Midweek Matches In an effort to stimulate more interest in mid-week matches, the committee agreed to obtain the services of a professional to give demonstrations at the end of the day’s play. “This could help to boost our entries in mid-week matches,” said Mr Green. “I have spoken to- one professional, and he is quite prepared to co-operate.” Mr Green said that women players, in particular, would welcome the move. A larger amount may be made available this year for the Canterbury Golf Foundation. Last year professionals had been employed at both Hagley Park and the Harewood links and there was special coaching' for interschool teams, said Mr Green. In the past, the association had not spent its full allocation for coaching. After discussing in committee the question of establishing a sub-association in South Canterbury it was reported that the committee approved in principle the formation of sub-associations and the necessary action would be taken for the insertion of the appropriate clauses in the rules of the association. A sub-committee was set up to draft these amendments to the rules. Mr C. J. Ward drew delegates’ attention to cases of team captains in inter-club matches agreeing to placing on a course where it was not permitted. “I feel clubs should be advised that players must keep to the rules of golf and the local rules in regard to placing.” Several delegates said they had heard of agreements on placing by team captains. Clubs will be asked to make the rules of placing clear to their members. The date for the Dearden Cup match at Kaikoura, which was shown on the golf calendar as June 6-7, has been amended to May 30-31. METH VEN LADIES’ GOLF CLUB OPEN TOURNAMENT WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29 Entries close April 22 Ring Meth ven SU.