GOLF FOR THE PEOPLE

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 115, 19 May 1925, Page 6

GOLF FOR THE PEOPLE

While fully sympathising with the Karori and Johnsonville Golf Clubs in the difficulties which they iace, we , cannot support their request that the Lyall Bay sandhills should be formed into golf links and leased to them. The area is undoubtedly suitable for a model golf course, and the Chairman of the Reserves Committee long ago suggested that this should be the purpose to which it-should be devoted. The plan has not been further considered, we presume, because funds are not available, but if funds can be found then the work should be undertaken for the benefit of the golfplaying public at large. There is justification for this in the popularity of the links at Berhampore. Throughout the year these links are used to the fullest extent, and at the week-ends there is decided congestion. This may be relieved slightly by better regulation, which will be possible when the custodian has his quarters in the middle of the course instead of at one extremity, but there will still be more players than the links can accommodate comfortably. To provide' for them new links must be formed, and if the Lyall Bay area were to be surrendered such provision would be impossible. New links at Lyall Bay would be open to Karori and Johnsonville players, but these players or others cannot fairly be given exclusive rights. Apart altogether from the public expenditure which would be necessary for the course, formation, it must be remembered that the land is a public reserve, and no City Council should permit it to be diverted from this purpose, either directly or indirectly. The case against alienation, even temporarily, is even stronger in this case, because there is undoubtedly a demand for an extension of the municipal golf course enterprise.