IMPORTANT GOLF YEAR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19736, 8 September 1927, Page 14

IMPORTANT GOLF YEAR.

Kl RK-WI N DEYER CONTESTS. NEXT CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNEY. OIAGO'S REQUEST SUPPORTED. [by telegraph.—special reporter. ] HAMILTON, Wednesday. "This year, in my opinion, has been the most important in the annals of New Zealand golf," said Mr. W. E. A. Gill, of Wellington, chairman of tho council of the New Zealand Golf Association, when presiding at the annual meeting in Hamilton this evening. There was an attendance of over 30 delegates. The reason for his comment, Mr. Gill explained, was that through the inspiration and work of the late Mr. R. 0. Kirk and Mr. Windeycr, an annual competition between Australia and New Zealand had become an established fact, and the two countries were brought closer together. As a result of the first visit of an official team to Australia the New Zealand players had their names engraved on the Kirk-Windeyer Cup. The report stated that tho council was grateful to Mr. A. D. S. 'Duncan, who, although the leader of the New Zealand team to Australia, made no claim for any personal expenses. In connection with this, a matter the council was proud of was that no member had ever claimed from the association's funds any expenses for travelling or otherwise on association business. The inauguration of the interState matches for the Kirk-Windeyer Cup and tho decided victory gained by tho New Zealand team would be noted by all Dominion golfers with great satisfaction and pride. Membership and Finance.

During the year just closed 13 clubs had joined tho association, and two had resigned, the membership at the close of (the year being 134, against 123 last year. Three more clubs had been elected since the close of the year.

The annual statement of accounts for the year ended July 31 showed the total revenue for tho year was £992, the ordinary expenditure was £899, and the cost of the visit of the New Zealand team to Sydney for the Kirk-Windeyer Cup £2OB. There was thus an excess of expenditure over revenue of £ll6 7s 4d. The balance-sheet showed there remained a surplus of assets, amounting to £253.

Moving the adoption of the report arid balance-sheet, the chairman dealt moro comprehensively with features of the first Kirk-Windeyer Cup competition, and said it was expected a large contingent of Australian golfers would visit New Zealand early next year in an attempt to regain the cup. It was unlikely the contest would be held at the Dominion championship tourney, as the latter clashed with Australian fixtures. Golf had progressed in New Zealand and to-day affiliated clubs had a total membership of 14,154. Of these 9392 wero members of 92 North Island clubs, and 4462 were members of 45 South Island clubs. During the year 22 clubs had had the services of the council's professionals, who now numbered 32. Tribute to Late Mr. Kirk. The decrease of the accumulated fund from £370 to £253 was largely due to the reduction of ladies' subscriptions from 2s to Is per head, and the cost of sending an official team to Australia, £2OB. But expenditure had been reduced and increased membership brightened the future. The council was still investigating the work of. the greens section of the Golf Association of the United States, and would, furnish reports from time to time. The • chairman complimented Mr. G. 0. Sutton, Dominion secretary, on his work. Before business was proceeded with Mr. H. B. Lusk, of Auckland, voiced a feeling tribute to the courage, cheerfulness, optimism and enthusiasm for golf displayed by the late R. C. Kirk, of Petone. A motion of condolence with his relatives was carried in silence. Seconding the adoption of the report. Dr. H. -Douglas, president of the Hamilton Club, said golf in New Zealand appeared to be in a healthy condition. The report was adopted and the sitting menibe'.s of the council, Messrs. W. E. A. Gill, J. B. MacEwan, A. J. Abbott. H. R. H. Balneavis, A. D. S. Duncan, Captain A. E. Conway and Sir A. F. Roberts were re-elected. Claims of Balmacewan. Mr. A. N. Haggitt, of Dunedin. strongly advanced the claims of Balmacewan course, Dunedin, as the venue of the New Zealand championships in 1928 and moved that the council, although it had promised Christchurch the next meeting, should have the championship qualities of Balmacewan investigated. Much money, he said, had. been spent on those links and the committee controlling the course guaranteed its championship condition. Certainly it was time Dunedin had a turn. Mr. Lusk concurred, saying the North Island would not object to the championships going to Balmacewan if those links wej'e proved to be of championship standard. Mr. A. G. Sime (Westport), championed Balmacewan and denied that the course was more strenuous than Wanganui. Mr. S. J. Hanna, captain of Auckland Club, said his club would favour Balmacewan if investigation proved it suitable. Mr. W. H. MacDougall, of Christchchurch, said to hold the championship at Dunedin would give a much needed help to golf in Otago and the South Island generally. / Mr. A. Seifert. of Palmerston North, said that to continually use only one South Island course was to give some players with thorough knowledge of it an undue advantage. Reports by Professionals. The chairman read unfavourable reports by professionals on the Balmacewan course, the reports stating inter nlia, that there were too many blind holes, that the course was too hilly and strenuous and that the fairway was too severe to walk on. Mr. Haggitt said such critics might well be biassed, j An investigation should decide. The motion that the council should have the course, inspected and if it proved satisfactory, hold the next New Zealand championship there was carried by 63 votes to 23. The. necessity for adopting a better system of handicapping than that now in vogue in New Zealand was shewed bv Mr. Lusk. While he acknowledged what the council had done he contended the existing system was anomalous. Under it handicap events were often won by ridiculous margins, but the adoption of the present British method would do much to secure uniformity in courfce standards and handicapping.. The Chairman: Australia has adopted the system and we must follow suit. A recommendation to the council that the British system of standardised handicaps should be investigated was carried unanimously. y.