ROCKY DOWNS GOLF CLUB

Matamata Record, Volume XVII, Issue 1589, 24 December 1934, Page 4

ROCKY DOWNS GOLF CLUB

PROPOSAL TO DISBAND

New 18-Hole Links at Okauia

‘- Approval of • a proposal to negotiate foi‘ : a'new clulb links to be situated at Okauia Opal Springs was given by members of the Rocky Downs (Matamata) Golf Club, at a special general meeting . which was held in the Rialto on Monday. Mr. B. C. Taylor (president) presided over a good attendance.

In opening the meeting Mr. Taylor said that informal talks had been held with Mr. F. Underwood, of Okauia Springs, in regard to a suggestion >to move the dub. from Rocky Downs to Okauia. A satisfactory basis had been agreed on, and Mr. Underwood had written a letter to the club on the subject. Before they finally decided anything in regard to conditions it would be necessary to move a resolution abandoning Rocky Downs.

Details of Project

Mr. Underwood, in his letter, stated that he had secured a five yearb’ lease of approximately 100 acres, and intended laying down an 18-hole golf course. A further five years could be secured;, with right of renewal after the ten years for a further five, making 15 years in all. He would have nine holes ready for the coming season, and he suggested subscriptions be men £3 3s and ladies £2 2s, less 10s rebate in each case, with the club receiving 10 per cent, for collecting. The subscriptions would be reviewed when the full 18 holes course was available and an entrance fee brought into force. A country members’ fee, with a limit of 15 miles, was suggested at £1 Is for ladies and men alike. It was proposed to loan the club’s gear to Mr. Underwood.

Mr. Taylor pointed out that the course would be an all-the-year one. Mr. Underwood would undertake all responsibilities, inc’uding afternoon teas and lunches. The club would have the right to make a special charge on six days in the year, dividing the takings 50-50 with the club. The club would receive 10 per cent, cf subscriptions, and in addition would collect match fees. In addition to writing to the Rocky Downs Club, Mr. Underwood had written to the old Matamata Club, and there was every reason to believe members of that club would view the proposal favourably. Replying to Dr. Abernethy, Mr. Taylor said the Matamata Club had never disbanded, and he believed they had some assets. If the present proposal was accepted the Rocky Downs Club would be abandoned, as would the Matamata Club. A meeting would then be called of all Matamata golfers and a fresh start would be made.

Dr. Abernethy thought that anyone with golfing instincts would welcome the proposal as being a very sound one and in the interests of the game. As a member of the committee he could say that the subscriptions had been made light to encourage members, and until the full course was available. These fees could then be reviewed when the 18 holes were available. He was very much in favour of the new proposal.

Mr. G. Fitzgerald asked for more information in regard to green fees and why they were objected to. The speaker pointed out that trouble had arisen in Hamilton on this point. Mr. Taylor said that the club had the right to review this point if it acted against their interests. Mv. W. D. L. MacDonald asked if Mr. Underwood was giving up the whole rights of the course. Mr. Taylor replied that he would collect fees from visitors. So far as the club was concerned, it was proposed to prohibit anyone living within 10 from getting a game by paying green fees. Mrs. Mentiplay asked if ladies would be barred from playing during the week-ends, as at Rocky Downs. Mr. Taylor thought the same preference clause would have to be inserted, at least until there were more than only nine holes. \\Club Captain’s Views Mr. L. H. Little said he had been agreeably surprised with the country. Provided Mr. Underwood had the support of golfers the speaker was certain he would have a course unequalled outside of Rotorua, Hamilton or Auckland. The only place where there might be trouble was near a swamp, from which there was a good fall and which could be easily drained in two years. The 18th hole would be a hard one, but could be

•; • / played two ways. -Mr; Underwood got a lease signed about a month ago and immediately got to work. iNine holes would be available by the middle of April. Mr. Underwood had been very reasonable indeed, and the club had a certain amount of latitude. The speaker anticipated no difficulties. Rocky Downs members could not have continued but for Mr. Johnston's .generosity, , and many would regret, leaving his links. However, sentiment should not interfere with such a good proposition. The agreement was such .that the life of a committeeman for the new club would be an easy one. He had much pleasure in proposing “ that the Rocky Downs. Golf Club disband on the completion of a satisfactory agreement With Mr. Underwood and Mr. Aitken for playing rights on a new golf course at Opal Springs.” Dr. Abernethy seconded the motion. Mr. Taylor said the move would break 13 years of happy associations at Mr. Johnston’s farm, and he thought Mr. Johnston would miss the club. However, he felt this would be the only opportunity of getting an 18-hole golf course in Matamata.

The motion was then put and carried unanimously.

Early Meeting of Golfers

Mr. Little said that the resolution having been passed the next step would be to call a meeting of all Matamata golfers either at the end of January or the beginning of . February the earlier the better to thoroughly discuss and approve the proposals in detail. They could rest assured that they would not move to Okauia unless everything was satisfactory. On the motion of Messrs. G. G. Bell and H. Hemphill, the committee was given power to carry on negotiations in conjunction with representatives of the old Matamata Club.

Mr. Taylor, in reply to Mr. Bell, said that the committee was fully alive to Mr. Johnston’s generosity, and would not overlook same. His action in granting the use of his farm for some five months in the year without any rental was one of the finest sporting acts 0 he had known. .v,.