More money for golf classic

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33493, 26 March 1974, Page 12

More money for golf classic

Professionals who enter the Garden City Golf Classic at Russley this year will be competing for more prize money.

, The chairman of the organising committee, Mr T. A. Smither, said last even(ing that the prize money would be $20,000, an increase of $3500 over last year’s money. He told delegates at the annual meeting of the Garden City Classi! [lncorporated that $l5OO would be made available to “The Press” Pro-Am, and $18,500 to the classic.

Mr Smither also announced that the value of holes for sponsorship would also be increased. The cost of the standard holes would be increased $lOO to $6OO, and the premium holes would be increased in proportion to their rating on the course.

The tournament this year would be the fourth event of the New Zealand circuit, and would again be held from December 5-9.

Mr Smither said that the profit of just over $lO,OOO I from the tournament last [year was the greatest in the (five-year history of the event. He said the amount given to (charities in Christchurch in the last five years had been $34,000. Last year’s profit of $10,012 had been made available for research into asthma and respiratory diseases in children. A trust fund to administer the money was being set up. Commenting on the staging of the last tournament,

.■Mr Smither said there had [been problems with com- ■ munications on the course. This was caused by the withdrawal of the Arms, which had provided the system for the previous two [years. He said investigations [were at present being conducted for the communication system this year. The committee might possibly meet with the Russley Club [to discuss the possibility of laying down permanent communication lines with regard Ito a telephone system. The committee elected last evening Is: chairman. Mr Smither; secretary. Mr A. Lloyd; treasurer, Mr J. Shcad; sponsorship convener, Mr M. [Busby; publicity officer, Mr H Manning; works convener, Mr A [Horler; tournament director, Mr A. G. Edwards: social convener. Mr B. Owers; liaison officer, Mr R. Sweet. Mr R J. Charles was (re-elected patron of the com Imittee.