GOLF TITLES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23201, 22 November 1938, Page 12

GOLF TITLES

CENTENNIAL TOURNEY NEXT CHAMPIONSHIPS GIVEN TO WELLINGTON AUCKLAND CLAIM WAIVED [BY TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] WELLINGTON, Monday Tlio Now Zealand centennial golf championships will bo held at tho Miramar links, Wellington, next year, according to a decision reached by delegates at tho annual meeting of the New Zealand Golf Association to-day. Originally it had been planned to hold tho next Dominion championships at tho Middlemoro links, Auckland, and tho centennial event in 1940. Howover, with tho consent of the Auckland Golf Club's delegate, Mr. V. E. Masters, who agreed to waive Auckland's claim to tho championships for ouo year, it was decided to advance the centennial tournament. In compensation, Auckland will bo given the opportunity of staging an open tournament next year shortly prior to the championships and a similar offer will bo made to Christchurch. Every effort will bo made to attract outstanding talent from overseas to compoto in these tournaments by augmenting tho prize-money. The question of courses for the Auckland and Christchurch tournaments has yet to bo considered. Reasons for Changes Although tho programme for the contonnial championships has not been finalised, it is expected that tho tournament will bo staged in November. The reasons for tho changes of date and venuo were tho desirability of holding tho centennial tournament during the actual celebrations planned from November to May and the possible difficulties of having the courses in suitable order at Easter, 1940, when it was suggested the championships could bo held. According to the chairman, Sir Alexander Roberts, tho council has already planned sotting aside £IOOO as prizemoney for the centennial tournament. The meeting did not discuss Auckland's suggestion that a total of £2500 should be raised as prize-money for the three tournaments, in support of which Mr. Masters said that the Auckland Club felt that the inducements should be more substantial than those proposed. Demonstration of Methods With a view to demonstrating the methods of famous golfers to members of country clubs, it was agreed to endeavour to establish a film library and to secure a film projector. An effort will also be made to arrange for visits to various districts of professionals who may be attracted to New Zealand by tho open tournaments. Sir Alexander Roberts stated that the council desired in connection with tho centennial celebrations to bring tho most benefit to the most people and not to concentrate completely on tho tournament. Scores of players belonging to country clubs did not have chances either of watching first-clas3 players or of receiving hints. Films of great professional players would bo invaluable to country members.