Manawatu Golf Club Records a Year of Steady Progress

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 74, 28 March 1936, Page 2

Manawatu Golf Club Records a Year of Steady Progress

Officers Re-elected And Prospects Bright For Coming Season

The Manawatu Golf Club’s 1935-3 G year, which concluded with the annual meeting last evening, must have been a very satisfactory one for all concerned, for the business was put through with despatch, tho office-bear-ers were re-elcctcd unopposed, and tho vacancies on the committee filled without the necessity of a ballot. The president, Mr C. G. Moore, was in the chair, and in moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, which were taken as road, he said it gave him pleasure to look back on last season, which had been a very good one, with increased membership and green fees, and an improved course. He felt the future of the club was assured and the prospects very bright, Mr Moore also referred to the splendid work and co-operation by the members of the committee, who had done their best to make the year an enjoyable ono for .the members.

The motion was seconded by Mr S W. Bapley. Tho secretary (Mr K- G. Chamberlain) then moved the report of the green committee, -which mentioned that though the greens had not been improved by the exceptionally wet weather, the fairways had never been :n better condition, thanks to the heavy manuring.

Tho report also stated that a number of tees had been reconstructed and returfed and that a large double tee for the second and fourth holes was being constructed behind tho present No. 2 tee. This would not only give extra length of from 15 to 20 yards to the holes, but would be easier to keep and an improvement in every way.

Referring to the storm damage, the report stated that trees destroyed by the hurricane would be replaced.

In view of the possibility of the New Zealand open championships being held at Hokowhitu -within two years, certain lengthening of the course was to be carried out, involving the pushing back and reconstruction of one or two greens. In conclusion the report expressed appreciation of the excellent manner iii which Mr J. E. Galloway, as course manager, had put the committee’s instructions into effect, and the keen interest and pride he took in his work. Mr J. F. Field congratulated the greens committee on its report, which he stated was the best he had ever heard.

The report and balance-sheet were then adopted. The balance-sheet disclosed the fact that if it had not been for the damage caused by last month’s cyclonic storm, tho year would have finished with a substantial profit. This amount (totalling well over £250) was about offset by the storm damage. Election of Officers The nominations for office-bearers and vacancies on the committe were as follow:—President, Mr C. G. Moore; vice-presidents, Messrs W. L. Fitzherbert and C. Louisson; captain, Mr O. H. Williams; hon. treasurer, Mr E. V. Spear; committee, Messrs C. G. Moore, A. J. M. Goodwin, S. A. Goldingham, B. E. Keiller, E. Y. Spear, J. J. Stevenson, 0. H. Williams, W. L. Fitzherbert, C. Louisson, A. Seifert, S. W. Bapley, K. Glendinning and Colonel J. T-I. Whyte, the two lattor members filling the vacancies caused by the retirement of Messrs A. H. Iloneyfield and K. C. Clayton. Mr W. E. Bendallwas appointed auditor. General Business The “Devil’s Own” were granted permission to again hold the legal tournament at Hokowhitu on tho Dominion Day week-end. On behalf of tho legal fraternity, Mr W. L. Fitzherbert thanked the members of tho Manawatu Golf Club for their courtesy and generosity in placing Hokowhitu at their service. Ho added that the kindness of the club had been tho subject of much com ment by visiting players at the tournament. Mentioning that it had been suggested that the club should hold a dance during tho year, the president asked members for an expression of opinion. Several members spoke, all being of the opinion that tho risk of a loss and the tremendous amount of work involved in arranging for a major dance, made it “not worth tho candle.” Tho president referred to Mr N. H Blackmore’s generous gift of a shelter for the Lagoon Hill tee, and his resolution of thanks to Mr Blackmore was carried with enthusiasm. The president mentioned that the greens research area was now entirely under the control of the New Zealand Golf Council, with Mr W. M. Horton as supervisor and advisory officer to all clubs. Mr A. Seifert- pointed out that tho close co-operation between the Research Department and tho Golf Council was to be continued. Votes of Thanks Proposing a vote of thanks to the president, Mr Bapley said Mr Moore had- got through a tremendous amount of work during his term of office and •with credit to himself and tho club. He voiced the opinion of members when ho said the club had been lucky in having Mr Moore accept office for a further term. (Applause.) ■ Votes of thanks were also accorded the committee and the retiring committeemen, Messrs A. H. Honeyfield and K. C. Clayton; the ladies’ club for its co-operation and help during the year; Mr J. E. Galloway, the club’s professional and course manager; the green-keeping staff and caterer, the Research Department; Dr. J. S. Monro for further caricatures; the architect, Mr Robin Hood; the secretary, Mr K. G. Chamberlain; the treasurer, Mr E. V. Spear, and the Press. Mr.. J. J* Stevenson considered that

though there could be little fault with the Hokowhitu fairways, it might be a good thing to ask the research officers to extend their experiments to find out what would be, in their opinion, the best grasses for fairways. This promised to develop into quite a good discussion, but Colonel Whyte put a damper on it when be said: “There is nothing wrong with our fairways. They are the best iu New Zealand, and I cannot for the life of me see why you want to experiment with them.” P.N. GOLF CLUB A. J. BERRYMAN SUMMER CUP COMPETITION Tho very successful and hard fought competition for tho A.J.B. Summer Cup, played over 12 rounds, found E. Wilson the winner with a margin of four points. Close behind him came W. Skinner with 22, then J. Kells with IG. But for the fact that W. Skinner was indisposed on tho concluding day a titanic struggle would have been witnessed for the final. However, it is almost safe to say -that with “Ted” Wilson having acquired super length and direction with iron and uncanny accuracy with the putter, W. Skinner would have been hard put to it to win. It is hoped to make the A. J. Berryman summer Cup an annual competition, for all who participated found it most interesting and profitable. AERO CLUB. The opening day of the above club will take place this afternoon at the Awapuni Course. A Canadian foursomes competition will bo held, commencing at 1.30, and the draw is as follows: Miss E. Higgins and G. Hancox play Miss G. Higgins and E. Palmer; Mrs. Houston and J. Child play Mrs. Hancox and D. Heggie; Miss Gaustad and G. H. Stiles play Mrs. Walker and D. Low; Miss Harwood and T. R. Ilodder play Miss Jones and H. Stallard; Mrs. Wheeler and G. Houston play Mrs. Eccleston and H. Godfrey.