Golf Designers Have 17 Projects In N,Z.

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30939, 21 December 1965, Page 23

Golf Designers Have 17 Projects In N,Z.

A company to operate “from and in New Zealand” as golfcourse architects and consultants in the South Pacific has been formed and registered in Christchurch.

Known as South Pacific Golf Limited, the company is controlled by five directors. They are: Commander J. D. Harris the world-famous British golf architect Mr P. W. Thomson, five times winner of the British Open and Australia’s greatest golfer. Mr W. A. Hadlee, a public accountant a New Zealand cricket selector, former New Zealand cricket captain and manager of the 1965 New Zealand touring team.

Mr M. S. Wolveridge, professional to the Russley Golf Club.

Mr G. B. Battersby, a partner of Mr Hadlee at the firm of Pickles, Perkins, and Hadlee. Mr Battersby will act as secretary to the company. The golf course design and planning will be under taken mainly by Commander Harris and Messrs Thomson and Wolveridge. Mr Hadlee wil be mainly interested in golf as a sport and his personal * interest in the game, and the administration of the company. Commander Hart and Mr Thomson are continually travelling the world and are thus acquainted with the latest developments in golf course architecture and construction. Commander Harris said yesterday that it was essential they have a person resident in New Zealand who could translate their plans and ideas and Mr Wolveridge would be the “man on the spot” to act in their absence. At the moment, the com pany has 17 projects in hand in New Zealand. They include the two courses at Harewood, the Russley, Wai-

tikiri and Charteris Bay dubs, and the par three course at Queen Elisabeth 11 Park. Apart from one course in Nelson, the remainder are in the North Island. Tenrist Attraction Commander Harris, who has been connected with tourist development in many countries, said he was convinced that “with the new jet services to the United States, the South Pacific will become an American holiday resort, particularly in view of America’s ever-increasing role in the defence of the area.

“Future housing and resort developers,” said Commander Harris, “will soon learn that a golf course is essential to attract property purchasers and tourists. It is normal practice to charge consider ably more for housing sites which have direct access to a golf course." Commander Harris, who is

golf course architect and consultant to the Irish Tourist Board, said It had been proved in the Republic of Ireland that "150 acres of ground used for providing an 18-hole golf course, gives 20 to 30 times the revenue returned compared with 150 acres used for sheep or cattle." Par Three Courses Commander Harris Mid par three courses were becoming increasingly popular throughout the world and could be constructed on ground unsuitable for regulation 18 or nine-hole courses. The area required and cost of construction were considerably less. "Public driving ranges are a source of very considerable revenue to local authorities or private promoters and afford untold pleasure and amusement to newcomers to golf,” said Commander Harris.