MANAWATU GOLF CLUB

Manawatu Times, Volume LII, Issue 3577, 7 April 1927, Page 8

MANAWATU GOLF CLUB

Annual Meeting There was a fair attendance ot members at tba annual meeting of the Manawatu Golf Club held last evening, tho President, Mr. S. W. Raplcy, being in the chair. Annual Report. ‘‘Tho links are in splendid order and the prospects for tho new season are most favourable. This season will open on Saturday, April 9, with the usual mixed foursomes,” said the 32nd annual report of the secretary (Mr. L. A. Abraham) presented at tho annual meeting of the Manawatu Golf Club last evening. The report went on to say that during tho past season great interest was shown in tho Wilson Cup, which was lost to tho Wairarapa Golf Club, who, being a small club, deserved great credit for their win. Wairarapa had since lost tho cup to tho Maslcrton Golt Club who still held it. The Nathan Challenge Cup had. also been lost to the Ranui Club, and they, in turn, had lost it to the Hutt Club, who were still the holders. “During tho season a number of teams visited us and some enjoyable matches played, but I regret that I must again point out to members that every year there is more difficulty in arranging matches, simply because wo have to cancel so many of our visits through our members refusing to travel. Clubs will not visit us if wo do not reciprocate. “Both the Easter and the -annual tournaments proved most successful. In tho annual tournament we did not have tho number that we expected, as, owing to a confusion ot dates with the Wanganui Club, wo gave up. in their favour tho dates wo had originally selected, immediately preceding the New Zealand championship. This year wo have already taken steps to ensure out tournament being held tho week preceding the Now Zealand Championship, at Hamilton, and we hope that a number of prominent players will stop over for our tournament on their way north. Our club championship was again won by A. Ekstcdt—his fourth successive year. “Other winners of various club events during the season were as follow: Middle-weight championship, M. H. Oram; runner-up, R. Hewat; junior championship: O. H. Williams; runner-up, D, MacPherson. The McHardy and Plunket Cups for most points in the monthly medal and bogey competitions were won by Trevor Lbuisson and W. A. Keeling respectively. The Nathan Cup was won by L. Seifert, jnr., B. and A. Cup by Brian Bendall, McLennan Cup by M. H. Oram and J., Miller, Barraud Service Cup by W. H. Macmillan, Druco Cup by Trevor Louisson and Cooper and Rapley Cup and Mander Cup by R. B, Lucas. Two good friends of the Manawatu Golf Club have kindly presented cups for competitions. T. A. Moody (a life member, and at one time a most active member of the club) gave a cup for tho best nett score of the esason in the medal competitions and Mr. Charles Kennedy, of the Napier Golf Club, has most generously donated a beautiful trophy to be competed for at the annual tournaments in the teams match.. For tho future ,in all probability, now that wo have tho Kennedy Cup as an attraction, provision will he made in the programme under which teams wishing to compete will have to nominate when general entries close. “Tho thanks of tho club are due to Mrs. Louis Seifert. She again gavo great assistance both at the Easter and annual tournaments, Aid members wll be glad to know that she has kindly consented to act in a similar capacity this coming Easter tournament:”

Tho report went on to praiso the work done for tho club by Mr. S. W. Rapley, retiring president, and by Messrs. P. W. Sewell and H. X/. Young. Excellent work had also been carried out by Mr. E. V. Spear; in tho capacity of hon. treasurer. Tire nominations for officers and committee for tho coming season were: President, Mr. H. R. Cooper; vice-presidents, Messrs. S. W. Rapley and E. G. Sim; captain, W. L. Fitzherbert: hon. treasurer, Mr. E. V. Spear; hon. secretary, Mr. L. A. Abraham; committee, two vacancies. Messrs. A. Ekstedt and H. H. Hutchison. The nominations not being in excess of the numbersw required, all nominated will ba declared duly elected by the chairman at the annual meeting. Deep sympathy was felt for Mr. M. Cohen in the death of his wife. The late Mrs, Cohen was, at one time, a very keen golfer, and used to take a very active part in the management of the ladies’ Club. Mr. Cohen is ono of the oldest members and has most ably filled tho office of president on more than one occasion. Mr. Galloway, our professional, continues to give great satisfaction. He is a most able coach and there is no doubt ho has improved the standard of play both with the members and tho associate members. We must congratulate him on his success at the tournaments in which ho has taken part. Mrs. Calloway, also, has won tho hearts of all members; she is always ready and willing to do anything sho can for members and visitors. The President, in moving the adoption of tho report and balance-sheet, took the opportunity of congratulating the club on its financial position. Last year, ho said, the club had made a profit of £l2O, and this year, one of £193. There was no doubt that the financial position was excellent, for

tho club owned over 100 acres of land within tho borough, which, in llsjelf, waa a very valuable asset. Having regard to the grounds, its membership and the fact that it had made a profit during the last two years ho had no fear lhat tho club would evpr go back from its present position. Tho club had been well served by its professional, Hr. Galloway, who deserved the support of all members, and by Mrs. Galloway, who had always been willing to give her services to members and visitors. The club was also grateful for the services rendered by the honorary officers, tho secretary (Mr. L. A, Abraham), the treasurer (Mr. E. V. Spear) and the auditor (Mr. W. E. Bendall). Ho paid a special tribute to the services of Mr, D. A. Abraham, who had been of great assistance to the President, and thanked the committee for the support they had given him during tho year. He considered that as before long the horses used for the mowing and rolling of the green s would have to bo replaced, the club should consider purchasing a motor mower and tractor for that purpose.

Mr. W. L. Fitzhcrbert, in seconding the motion, drew tho attention of members to the convenience of tho Hokowhitu links, which were close to town, and were second to none in tho Dominion. He thought that if those facts were more widely known the membership - would undoubtedly increase. Ho agreed that the purchase of a motor mower and < tractor wasj practically a. necessity, and endorsed the President’s remarks in. connection with the position of tho club. Mr. O. Douisson said that although the balance-sheet was .a most satisfactory one, he considered that as the club was entirely a sports institution, more attention should bo paid to depreciation than to making profits. It was not necessary for a sports body to show such a big profit. The report and balance-sheet’were adopted.

The retiring President, Mr, S. W. Raplcy, then called oh. Mr. H. R, Cooper who had been elected President unopposed for tho ensuing year to take over ihe chair a

Mr. Cooper, in doing so, expressed his gratification that .ho had again been elected to, the position of President. Referring to Mr.. Fitzherbort’s statement concerning the convenience and excellence of the links, he said that the present club was under a debt of gratitude to those in charge of the old combined polo and golf club, which had .used the present grounds (on which there had also been a trotting track), for their generosity In' selling the land to the club when the old polo club went out of existence. In 1902, be said the grounds had been flooded, and' the old pavilion had been replaced with the' present one in 1908. Much of the credit that such cheap golf was to be had iijjtho Manawatu was, however, duo to those sports who had been in charge of the old combined body. The nominated officers and committee for the coming, season, as mentioned in the annual report were declared duly elected. General,

Mr. Fitzherbert said that lie thought the club was making a bad name for itself in that its members were averse to travelling. He considered a special effort should be made this year to visit distant clubs. '

It was moved by Mr. Spear and seconded by Mr. Fitzherbert that the ladies’ subscriptions bo increased 2s to meet the charges made by the New Zealand Golf Council. The motion was carried.

A resolution was passed that the incoming committee ba recommended to institute ladder competitions. Yotcs of thanks were accorded Messrs; Moody and Kennedy for their presentations of cups to the club for competition during the year. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the treasurer, Mr. E. V. Spear, for his efficient work dono during the year.

The retiring President, Mr S. W. Rapley, was accorded a vote of thanks for the woik ho had done for the club during his term of office.