BOWLING GREENS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 215, 30 May 1918, Page 7

BOWLING GREENS

AND THEIR UPKEEP

CO-OPERATIVE SCHEME PROPOUNDED

At the last meeting of the Wellington Bowling Centre, .Mr. K. \y. Shallwass introduced lor consideration a scheme whcreliy bowling clubs would co-uperaio in tlie upkeep ni then , greens in a manner which would ninko lor a better standard green and also for economy. lir> was asked to elaborate his scheme, no that the clubs might bo circularised. The following is tho memorandum Mr. Shallciass has prepared:— "Tho difficulties of obtaining top-dress-ing within the city aro becoming more aontu year by year, and it will be necessary very soon to bo further afield. At the present time, it may he an advantage- to secure snil from outside of batter and mom .suitable quality than what is obtainable locally. Individual effort in this direction must be very expensive. What better arrangement could therebe than for clubs to combine, selecl their soil and distribute it? Tlicro should certainly bo a better chance of securing soil of tho right quality, and a saving in original cost as well as in transport: and distribution. It should bo mado ■clear at this point, that tlicro is no suggestion that the centra as a body should undertake this work. It ouglit to be done by a competent business committee nominated by tho clubs who express their willingness to co-operato. "In normal times a saving should be offected in purchasing grass seed in wholesale quantities, while at the sumo time by such a method better opportunities should be afforded of securing seed cleaner in sample and better in quality. War times have created difficulties in obtaining good seed, and prices aro inflated. Although the expenditure involved is not very largo co-operation should cortainly ell'ect a saving and what is equally important secure seed of (lie best quality. Tho same principle could bo applied to tho purchase of manures. "Tliuro is no doubt that a digester is a necessary complement to every bowling- green. Jt is also clear that one digester tan bo made serviceable for a number of greens, and that for each ciuii to provide one for ilsolf would bo a sheer waste of money. If clubs nro satisfied that a digester is essential there can be no better method of securing tho benefits from it than by co-operation. "The appointments of an export green superintendent k tho most important proposition, but it is tho natural sequence following tho adoption of [ho throe previous suggestions. Clubs which aro willing to co-operato to the extent of tho first three propositions should not hesitnto through fear of difficulties to adopt tho eystiim of expert control. The methods of clubs at (he present time aro most unscientific. Tho control by gra?n committees elocled i'roiu Iho club* is tho greatest curse- which bowlers have to endure. They are drawn from all walks in life, often olected for their popularity moro than for their knowledge of grasses or cultivation, and their porsonuel is constantly changing. Tho consequence is that gross ignorance, is displayed, combined with a desiro to try fitupid experiments, and there is an entire absence of any continuity of purpose. The proposition suggests that' in placo of this stato of affairs tho greens eliould ns far as their treatment is concerned be placed in the hands of a man who has tho ■ necessary scientific knowledge and experience, and who will have the opportunity of carrying out his ideas to a successful result. The point will be raised that such a person would soon come- into conflict with green-keopers ; but it can be reasonably contended that if tho men ca.ii endure tho present harassing domination by ignorant green committoos that life would be a pleasure under tho supervision of a competent and tactful expert.

"Another objection may come from clubs which fear'- that they will lose control of their properties. This need not occur to any greater extent than it does at present. The supervisor would be imder the jurisdiction of a nominated commitleo from tho co-operated clubs, and would be responsible to thorn. Tho labour employed being under tho charge of tho superintendent, tho club would not direct it; but would have complete control of it through the superintendent, in a manner equally as effective ns at picsent. It will probably bo claimed that tho appointment of a supervisor will bo merely an additional expense which smaller clnbs will bo unable to bear. In reply to this contention it should be pointed out; that it is proposed that the supervisor should , have cliargo of the labour employed; by a judicious management of eauio a saving could bo made in the present expenditure involved. "Tho system by which each green employs one man is an expensivo one. A good man is capablo of looking after more than one green. There are instances within the centre where ono man looks after two greens, and another where ono man is responsible for the upkeep of a full-sized green, a croquet lawn, a grass and an asphalt tennis court, as well as the care of tho surroundings. Tho supervisor should also \>2 a man capable of giving his assistants where required, and ought to so manage tho labour that tho cost will not be greater to the clubs than it is at proeent. It is not possible to give figured to bear out this contention until it is ascertained what clubs would be willing to co-operate. Tho opportunities afforded to make tho combination pay will be greater as tho number of clubs in tho combine increases.

"The advantages of expert control are that moro first-class greens would bo available for play, and the responsibility for n bad green would bo fixed upon tllo paid supervisor. There can be no doubt that inferior greens occur through went of knowledge of those in charge and from inattention by caretakers. Under expert supervision this should not occur, and all greens should lie similar in character and well prepared. If not the responsibility can be quickly fixed. At prosant players can only growl at bad greens—nobody is responsible. > "With regard to the basis of payment there may bo some difference of opinion. The contributions might be arrived at by a lovy por green, or by pro rain payments niado according to membership of clubs. Certainly if the larger and stronger clubs would agree to the latter eystoni it would be a graceful act on their part, and if all bowlers aro looked upon as a corpornto body as far as th« upkeep of greens ie concerned, tho 6yslem is a fair oiie."