Manawatu Golf Club

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 64, 17 March 1938, Page 8

Manawatu Golf Club

A YEAR OF PROGRESS 11 Following on the decision of the New Zealand Golf Association at last year’s meeting to inaugurate North and South Island amateur championships, this year’s fixtures have been allotted to Manawatu and Timaru respectively, and will be played at Easter,” states the annual report of the Manawatu Golf Club. “The programme arranged by this club provides for the combining of the North Island championship with our usual Easter tournament, which will be played on the Saturday, Sunday and Monday as previously. “Last year the legal tournament committee very generously presented a cup to the club for allocation as the committee thought fit. It was finally decided that this be added to the annual tournament challenge trophies, for the Consolation Handicap, for which event there was previously no challenge cup. The setting down of definite dates for the playing of the various rounds of the McLennan and A. and A. cup elimination events, as tried out during the past season, achieved very successfully its purpose of completing these events in good time before the end of the season. ‘‘The improvement and beautifying of the surroundings of the club house has been an important feature of the year’s progress, and it is intended to carry on with these improvements during the coming year. The much-needed refurnishing of the dining room has been commenced during the year by the purchase of three dozen new chairs, the cost of which was partly contributed by the Ladies’ Club. The refurnishing scheme will be progressively carried out as funds permit. Course Improvements. “The club's policy of steadily improving the course has been substantially advanced this year, and the scheme for lengthening has progressed to the extent of adding a further 74 yards, the holes principally concerned being the second, ninth and tenth. A further three greens—the tenth, second and sixth—have been remodelled and regrassed. The new second tee has been opened up through the trees at the back of No. 1 green. The scheme for draining the thirteen tn fairway has been t-n tirely successful, and has well justifies the expense involved. Other improveuients have been the modernising of bunkers and the planting of a considerable number of trees on various pa r ts or iho cour&e. In the. carrying out of the improvements, and the general maintenance of the course, every credit is due to the course manager, Mr. J. R. Gailoway, for his keen interest aua capable management, with the excellent co-operation of the members of the greens staff. Special acknowledgment must also be made to the valuable services rendered to the club by Air. W. M. Horton, the greens advisory officer, who has given ciose personal interest and assistance to the improvement of our greens and course. Financial Position ‘ ‘ The statement of income and expenditure shows that all the sources of levenue have been well maintained, and in some cases considerably increased over the previous year. The rise of green fees from £223 to £262 is a gratixying indication of the increasing popularity of the course with visitors, and will, no doubt, show a continued improvement in the future. It will bo uoted that £307 has been appropriated from the revenue account for the payment of interest and sinking fund on the building loan account. This amouut is made up by setting aside the increase of one guinea on men’s subscriptions and half a guinea on ladies’ subscriptions, totalling £227, plus £BO from the general revenue. The reduction in the loan account this year, at:,er paying interest, is £233, making a total reduction of £506 in the two years since the club house was re-built. The satisfactory state of the revenue account has again been made possible by careful budgeting and control over expenditure, the committee’s aim being to practise every economy without sacrificing the essential maintenance and improvement work. “A recommendation from the committee will be submitted to members at the annual meeting, that life membership be conferred on Alessrs. A. Seifert and P. L. Sim, both of whom have a record of long membership ur;d valuable service with the club. It is felt that members will appreciate the opportunity of conferring upon these pioneer members the honour of life membership. “The deepest regret is felt at the recent death of two esteemed members of long standing, Messrs. Charles Louisson and F. J. Nathan, both of whom had held the office of president of the club, and had rendered valuable service over a long period of years. Their loss will be very much felt by members. ’ ’ Alembership of the club, states the report, stood at 351 for the 1937-38 season, consisting of 142 men and 112 lady ordinary members, 23 men and 12 lady junior members, 20 men and four lady country members, and 20 men and 18 lady non-playing members.