HUTT GOLF CLUB

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 149, 19 March 1936, Page 13

HUTT GOLF CLUB

Room For Greater Membership ELECTION OF OFFICERS Although the club had more than held its own during tbe past few years, tbe course could carry another 60 or 70 women players aud 100 men, it was stated at the annual meeting of the Hutt Golf Club, held in the club house. Lower Hutt, last night. The attendance was the largest for some years, which augurs well for the forthcoming year. The financial position of tbe club was very much improved during the past year, as compared with the previous season, said the chairman, Mr. C. A. Burgess, in moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet. 'The batik overdraft at December 31, 1935, was £7363/2/3. In 1931 the overdraft was £8250. Id four years it bad been reduced by £.lOOO. which, he thought, was a fairly good effort. The finances of the cltib bad been very carefully handled, but they would still need to conserve their finances and watch the outgoings. Being about 25 years old, the clubhouse required a good deal of attention. continued Mr. Burgess. He impressed upon members the fact that they would have to face, possibly in the next year or two, tbe construction of a new club-house. At the present the finances would not stand the expense of a new club-house. There were two ways by which this could be done. One was by increasing tbe membership and tbe other by increasing the men’s subscription. Au increased membership was the preferable course. Tbe question of increasing the playing membership of the club was one which came in for protracted discussion. lint no decision was reached ou tbe matter. Stating that be bad taken out the membership figures of the club over tbe past eight years, Mr. P. J. R. Fordham observed that the elub during that period had more than held its own, but that the course could hold another 60 or 70 women members and another I |MI mon. He bad discussed the position with many people, and bad been unable to obtain any constructive criticism. He felt they would make no really noticeable advance until they had some long-sighted policy for easing the course. As far as the social side of the club was concerned, he said that tills was entirely what the members themselves made it. Members should pull their weight in lliis direction, and he felt that if they did that the elub would be on top in three years.

Replying to a suggestion that it may be economically successful to reduce the entrance fee. Hie chairman said that in 1933 n reduction in Hie entrance fee bad resulted in a large increase in the number of members. They had. however, lost about 90 per cent, of those uew members, because they bad found that they could not afford to play golf. Officers? were elected as follow: Captain. Mr. C. A. Burgess: bon. secretary. Mr. W. G. Fisher; hen. treasurer, Mr. A. L. McLean; bou. .imjilor. Mr. I’. S. Gillingham: committee, Messrs. .1, L. Black. B. M. .Silk, H. K. Anderson and 1,. Monkm.'in; (lection committee. Messrs. .1. H. 'Dirtier. L. R. Gilmour. D. McCaskill, M. Paulin aud R. M’agg. A motion was carried instructing the incoming committee to invite applications for n manager, mid to make a report on the matter to an extraordinary general meeting in two mon 11 is' lime.