MANAWATU GOLF CLUB.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9475, 25 March 1911, Page 6

MANAWATU GOLF CLUB.

ANNUAL MEETING.

The sixteenth annual meeting of the Manawatu Golf Club was held in All Saints' Schoolroom yesterday afternoon, Mr H. R. Cooper (president) presiding over a good attendance. Among those present were-Mossrs V. Harman, J. Strang, Harden, E. D. Hoben, H. L. Young, B. Bcale, Slack, Gifford Moore, Stodman, Gibbons, Barraud, Mcllardy, Mellsop, Bendall, Tyerman, D. Moore, Dr. Stowo, and L. A. Abraham (hon. secretary). ANNUAL REPORT. The annual report presented by tho secretary stated that tho season had been very pleasant, though much progress had not been shown in the general standard of play. Members generally had been keen, and the Challenge Bowl presented by Mr and Mrs Nathan increased enthusiasm in tho medal competitions. In outside matches, of 13 played, six wore won and seven lost. It was always found difficult to get teams away, and it was hoped some alteration would be made in this during tho coming eeason. The chief trophies were won as follows: Club championship, A. Barraud for tho third year, 0. H. Uruco runner up; open tournament championship, Kurepo; Nathan Cup, R. P. Abraham; Medal Competitions, McHardy Cup, C. Adams; Plunket trophy (bogey competitions), H. N. Watson; Barraud and Abraham Cup, A. Barraud. Juniors: Strang Challenge Cup, J. M. Morris; Junior Medal, W. Bendall; Junior Bogey, W. Bendall. Prizes were kindly prcsonted at the annual tournament by W. Strang, H. Cooper, V. Harman, G. Wilson, P. A. Mcllardy, and J. Goring-Johnston. Great services were rendered by Allan Strang, who would be very much missed. Another very old member, Dr. Wilson, also leaves for England. The doctor merited members' thanks for the handsomo bookcase presented for the Club dining room. It was hoped the engagement of a permanent professional meant an improved standard of play all round. Mr Johnston was an excellent coach. The Club was indebted for the fine collection of photographs that adorned tho club-room and tho ladies' room, tho gift of P. A. McHardy, who not only presented them, but hung them all himself. Tho speaking likeness of the late Colonel Gorton was presented by H. Cooper, who took some trouble to obtain this excellent portrait. The balance-sheet showed|he Club to be -in a sound financial position, a modorate valuation of the freehold placing it at £4500, leaving a surplus of £2BO, while tho erection of the club house, with links so close to town, placed the Club well up among tho leading clubs of the Dominion. Debentures were reduced by £llO last year. Tho receipts during the year were £6OB, and the expenditure £592. A balance of £265 was brought forward from tho previous year, and this year endpd with £2BO of a. balance to credit. Tho membership for the new year was 83 men and 70 ladies. The report and balance-sheet were , adopted. ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

The election of officers resulted as follows:—President, Mr V. Harman; vice-president, Mr Gifford Moore; Captain, Mr A. Barraud; lion, secretary, Mr L. A. Abraham; hon. treasurer, Mr G. W. Harden; trustee, Mr H. R. Cooper; committee, Messrs W. Strang, M. Cohen, J. Strang, P. Mollardy, and Drs. Stowo and Wilson. Mr C. J. Monro, one of the oldest members of the Club, was urged to again take office on the committee, but could not bo persuaded to stand. Ho said ho had had his time in office, and would give- someone elso a .chance. He spoko very highly of the work that had been done by the retiring officers and committee.

In proposing tho retiring president Mr Cooper, for the office of trustee, M

L. A. Abraham said that no member hai

taken more interest in tho Club's welfare than had Mr Cooper during his

two years of offico as president. Mr Abraham added that it was most fitting

that Mr Coopor should fill tho position of Club's Trustee, seoing that there was not a deed of tho Club with which ho had not been closely identified. OPENING THE SEASON.

It was decided to throw the links open to players as soon as the caretaker was ready, and to start the usual monthly competitions tho first week in May. The formal opening of the links will take place on April 22nd, when mixed foresomes, for which Messrs Abraham and Williams have donated a trophy, will bo played. IMPROVING THE GREENS.

Mr Mellsop brought up the question of improving tho greens. He suggested that a pipo should bo put down at tho corner of each green, to supply water to keep them in order. He thought that water could be got at about ten to fourteen feet down, and with a pump that he would present to the Club tho water could be thrown sixty feet through ordinary garden hose, The pump could be fitted to screw into the pipes, and it could bo carried from one green to another,

After several other members had 6pok-

en in favour of the project, it was decided to leave it to tho committee to deal with. There was some discussion as to the advisability of playing the 7th green, "tho Club's," as last season, or reverting to tho old "Oasis," and making that the 7th green. Messrs J. Tyerman and IT. Cooper spoke in favour of retaining tho "Clubs," whilst Messrs A. Barraud and 11. Mellsop favoured going back to the "Oasis." It was curious that while Mr Cooper said that J. Martin, the professional, had told him last season that the "Clubs" green was ono of tho best holes to play on in the course, Mr Mellsop had been told by Martin that it was quite the worst laid-out hole on the links. After tho matter had been further discussed, it was decided to leave the matter to the incoming committee to deal with, with a recommendation that it get a report on the green from the Club's professional for a permanent course. Mr 11. L. Young stated that he intended to offer a Challenge Cup for the ladder competitions. The competition would be run on ordinary ladder rules, and the entranco fee would be 2s 6d. From the money obtained in this way, it is decided that trophies bo obtained for tho men who had made the most progress up tho ladder in the season. Mr H. N. Watson was appointed to take charge of the competition, and the donor was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his valuable, prize. Tho matter from the Ladies' Committee, ro tho alterations they desired made to their rules, was not brought beforo tho general meeting, as it was considered a matter for tho committee to go into, and arrange for a special general meeting to bo called if necessary.