PATRIOTIC GOLF

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 281, 24 August 1944, Page 3

PATRIOTIC GOLF

Licensed Victuallers’ Tourney The Wellington Licensed Victuallers’ Association’s annual golf tournament to provide Christmas parcels for New Zealand servicemen overseas was held on the Manor Park Club’s links yesterday and proved the most enjoyable and successful of the series. The weather was favourable, and upward of 100 competitors took part in a programme of events catering from scratch up to limit handicap players. In addition to the competitors there was a large attendance of friends of both sexes.

After 'the last players, had come in, Mr. F. H. Drewitt, chairman of the association’s golf committee, said these tournaments had been started in a modest way eight years ago, and when the war started-the proceeds were devoted to providing Christmas parcels for servicemen overseas. They had extended till over £7OO had been raised last year. From present appearances' it looked as if the £lOOO mark would be passed this year. In addition to what was being realized at the tournament, many substantial cheques had been received, headed by £5O each from Mr. T. H. Coltman and J. Power.

Mr. V. A. Ward, secretary of the Wellington Metropolitan Patriotic Committee, said that it was through the help of such tournaments that 18,000 parcels were being sent to New Zealand servicemen overseas every three months, and oue parcel every week to each prisoner of war.

Mr. J. O. Peoples, a returned soldier from the Middle East, testified to the gratitude the soldiers ■ overseas felt for the gift of these patriotic parcels. Mr. S. Dunn, president of the New Zealand Licensed Victuallers’ Association. as usual, acted as fines master, and brought in a large sum to the fund by the fines he inflicted for all manner of sins of commission and omission. The first man called up was Mr. R. D. Donaldson. who was fined £2O. and because he made an unflattering reference to the fines master he was mulcted in an additional £5. Mr. and Mrs. Emil Rodgers organized the tournament wittt their usual efficiency. and were assisted in the clerical work by Messrs. N. H. Smith and T. H. 11. Boon.

The prizes were presented as follows by Mr. Dunn:— Licensees’ championship: P. J. Kelleher, 86, on count-back from 11. R. Brien. Retailers’ championship: J. L. Black, 76; H. R. Brien, 86. Best gross medal score: J. Tunnell, 76. on count-back from J. L. Black. Women’s Events. —Medal:, Miss Cameron ; runner-up. Miss Wilkins. Stableford : Miss Harris. . ' Numerous other prizes were presented for players with handicaps ranging up to 36. The teams’ match of eight a side resulted in the retailers (234) beating the wholesalers (298). Two of the wholesalers’ team did not return cards.