MOTUEKA GOLF CLUB

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 1 March 1939, Page 2

MOTUEKA GOLF CLUB

THE ANNUAL MEETING PAST YEAR REVIEWED PRESIDENTS REPORT Mr N. J. Lewis presided over a good attendance of members at the annual meeting of the Motueka Golf Club, held last evening, in St. Thomas’ Hall. The president's annual report and financial statement, the latter disclosing a small debit balance, were adopted. The report stated: — Generally speaking, the 1938 playing i season was cne ip. which conditions for golf were better than they have been for many seasons The membership list for men rose to a high figure, but that of ladies dropped considerably, the total membership being lower than usual. An unfortunate aspect of the year was the failure of an appreciable number of men to play. This was reflected particularly in very poor competition amongst jniors, especially those on the special handicap. Various steps were taken to encourage such members to play, but without success, and the committee believes that unless means are found to encourage new junior members to join and play, the club will find itself in a difficult position. For that reason it recommends the institution of a new low subscription for beginners. with a view to encouraging an increase of membership both for ladies and men. For that, and other reasons also, it recommends this meeting to provide for the re-engagement of Mr T. P. Dyke for a further period. The services of a professional seem indispensable if players new to the game are to progress The links for last season, as already indicated, were in good order. It should be remembered by members that the financial situation of the club makes the provision of a fairway mower out of the question, and that they cannot expect fairways of the same quality as larger clubs. In addition to that members themselves ruin their fairways by failing to replace their divots. Since last season cattle have been grazed on the links, and it is expected that several roughs will be considerably improved, without harm to the rest of the ground. Under the able control of Mr R. P. Rowling, who gave many hours of work to the club, the greens were rolled frequently, and an improvement in surface effected. Here again, it should be obvious that satisfactory greens cannot be made from paddocks without considerable expense. The committee tecommends that steps be taken to create a fund for greens’ iniDrovement purposes. The committee gives credit to the groundsman for satisfactory work and the maintenance of his enthusiasm for the club. It is understood that with some members the opinion has crystallised that employing a groundsman is a needless expense. This is a subject that has arisen from year to year, and has caused much discussion amongst members. The past season was the first during which the new Country Golf Clubs’ Association operated. It is obvious that the venture has been a great success and warrants close support and encouragement. The first annual tournament at Redwood's Valley was an unqualified success. Opportunity was taken during that week-end for delegates to meet, adopt a constitution, and make arrangements for this year, when the tourney will be at Murchison. It was decided also to play the open tournament first, and the inter-club contests following. Our congratulations are extended to Redwood's Valley Club on its conduct of a successful tournament. The inter-club games arranged by the association were successful, and we were pleased to r.ect the Maitai Club on our links for the first time. The club competitions were again keenly contested, except amongst the junior men, as already mentioned. The club’s congratulations are extended to winners of the various events. The club's thanks are extended to those ladies who helped with afternoon tea when visiting teams were present, to the club-captain of the Men’s Club, to the Press, and to all who helped in any way with the work during the season. Turning to the financial situation, the year closes with an improvement. It will be remembered that two years ago there was a debit of about £66, and last year, after subscriptions were raised, of about £3O. This year the finances should be slightly in credit. With a restoration to normal it should now be possible to make better provision in some directions for improvements. Finally, the committee wishes to club a successful year and progress in the future. NEW MEMBERS The resignations of Misses J. Harris, J. Mackay. and Messrs V. Bruce. E. C. Fry and W. M. Thomas were accepted with regret and the following new members elected: Mr and Mrs K. Boyd, and Messrs Baden Fry, T. Sutton, J. Simpson, S. Woods. J. Failover and G. Cliench. RE-ENGAGEMENT OF COACH In placing before the meeting a recommendation from the committee in regard to the retention of the services of Mr P. T. Dyke, professional coach and green-keeper, the chairman, in a statement, detailed the work he had accomplished on the links. Mr Dyke was, he said, a man of many years’ experience and very competent in keeping the ground in order, and was always available when his services were required. If they wished to encourage new members the club, he added, must have a coach. This was most important; members could negotiate the financial hurdles as they came to them. Puring a lengthy discussion which followed, several members, while desirous of curtailing the club's expenses, voiced their appreciation of Mr Dyke’s work, and commented on his keenness and enthusiasm for the club. Mr R. P. Rowling, who supported the coach’s retention, expressed the opinion that members could assist he club in giving free labour, which, he said, was necessary in all minor clubs. He also advocated the discontinuance of summer golf, which would mean a saving in expenditure. Mrs L. Mackay spoke on behalf of

the ladies, who were all in favour of the retaining of the coach by the club. Finally it was unanimously decided, on the motion of Mr Webley, that Mr Dyke be re-engaged from the beginning of March to the end of the golf season, on the same conditions as previously. The recommendation in regard to the reduction of subscriptions for beginners who had not previously played golf, might result in increased membership was not supported by the meeting. ELECTION CF OFFICERS Oilicers for the ensuing year were elected as follows: Patron, Mr R. H. Shaw Thompson; president. Mr R. P. Rowling; vice-pre-sidents, Messrs W. R. Stilwell. A. F Webley, and V. Evans; club captain, Mr A. F. Webley; hon. secretary, Mr J. Failover; hon. treasurer, Mr H. Rodger; committee, Messrs F. G. Painter, F. Rowling. J. Pocklington, and F. Wright; hon auditor, Mr A. H. Cameron; hon. members, Mrs H. Thorp and family. In welcoming Mr Rowling to the chair Mr Lewis averred that no one had been more helpful to the club and he felt sure he would discharge his duties as president with great credit. Mr Rowling thanked members for the honour, stating that he would endeavour to do his best for the club. On his motion a vote of thanks to Mr N. J. Lewis for the able manner in which he had carried out his duties, was placed on record. Mr Lewis, who has held office for six years, said that he was prepared to help the club, and his advice would be available to the committee at any time. A hearty vote of thanks to Mr W. B. Thomas for his services in the capacity of secretary was carried by acclamation. It was decided that the fixing of the date of the official opening of the links be left to the committee. ROGERS CUP The chairman extended thanks to Mr h D. Rogers for the handsome cup he had presented to the club. Mr Lewis, in adding his thanks, said that Mr Rogers had always taken an active interest in the club, and was a keen player; his object in donating the cup was to encourage play among the junior members, and they appreciated the spirit in which it was given, and his endeavour to help the club along. On the motion of Messrs Lewis and Morgan it was agreed that the president’s and captain’s trophies be dispensed with as there were sufficient competitions without them. Mr Lewis, as retiring president, moved that this meeting records its appreciation of the valuable assistance given by the press, and extends its thanks to all who 1 ave helped the progress of the club during the past year. Mr Webley called for a special vote of thanks to the retiring club captain. Mr G. Pettigrew.