GOLF

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 89, 14 March 1934, Page 3

GOLF

MANAWATU CLUB

YEAR'S ACTIVITIES REVIEWED

“The revision of standard scratch scores for the golf courses of the Dominion is now being carried out by the New Zealand Golf Association, and the scratch score of the Hokowhitu links has been fixed at 73,” states the 28th annual report of the Manawatu Golf Club ill reviewing the year’s activities. “This will automatically involve an addition of two strokes to members’ handicaps and a revision of bogey scores and the holes at which strokes are taken. These adjustments will take effect as from the opening of our season.

“The most valuable work in the improvement of the course during the year has been the completion of the second stage of the watering scheme, with the result that all greens, except Nos. 6 and 4, are now connected with the scheme. When it is realised that the whole work has been carried out over the past two years at a cost of approximately £125, the club is to be congratulated on the "addition of a very valuable improvement for a modest expenditure. The sincere thanks of the club are due to the Ladies’ Club for their contribution of over £35 towards the water scheme during the past two years. “It was found necessary during the year to purchase a new greens mower, as the two old machines were no longer reliable and were involving heavy annual maintenance costs. In fact, it is considered that the cost of the new machine will be largely met by the savings in repairs and maintenance over the first two years. “The thanks of the club are due to the green keeping staff, the professional. and the caterer, for the excellent services which they have rendered during the year. It was recommended by the greens committee that to ensure dose supervision and co-ordination of course routine work, the greens staff be placed under the direct control of the professional, Mr J. R. Galloway. This was approved by the committee and was carried into effect as from .September last. The result has been entirely satisfactory, and the splendid condition of the course a.t the present time is largely due to the harmonious and efficient cooperation between Mr Galloway and the greens staff, under the general direction of the greens committee. “There is a small surplus of income over expenditure, after writing off £l5O for depreciation on buildings and plant and £22 for bad debts. The in-

creased expenditure on benzine and maintenance of machines is due to some extent to the extra work of cutting the green research plots, but this is provided for by the annual grant from the New Zealand Golf Association. The satisfactory state of the revenue account has again been made possible by careful budgeting and control over expendi tore, the committee’s aim being to practise every economy without sacrificing the essential maintenance work.

“Members will regret the passing duriiig the vear of three old members of the club, Messrs C. J. Monro. F. H. Cooke and R. P. Abraham, Expressions of sympathy were conveyed to the relatives on behalf of the club.” The men’s membership, adds the report, is slightly lower than that <?f the previous vear, but there is a fair increase in the number of lady members. The total membership of all classes is 302, compared with 312 in the preceding year. “Our senior players have met the Wanganui Club several_ times during the season with the object of capturing the Wilson Cup, but although, some of these matches were closely contested, the honours are still with the Wanganui Club,” concludes the report. “The Nathan Cup for B grade players, which we captured from Wanganui during 1932, was taken from us during the past season by the Palmerston North Club, who are to be congratulated on having subsequently defended it in a number or challengo matches bv other clubs. Three notices of motion have been given, the first l>eing that tbe amendment adopted last yea.r, providing for the payment of the subscription m two equal 'instalments, be extended to the 1934-35 season. The second, is that the subscription for lady country members be reduced to £1 10s. The third proposal is that it be an instruction to the committee to move the Land’s End tee (11th hole) to its original position, and make a suitable alteration to the location of the Kraal green (14th hole).