WYNDHAM GOLF CLUB

Southland Times, Issue 19501, 16 March 1925, Page 5

WYNDHAM GOLF CLUB

ANNUAL MEETING HELD A SATISFACTORY YEAR The annual general meeting of the Wyndham Golf Club was held in Currie’s Sample Rooms on Thursday evening, Mr S. Rice (President), presiding over a good attendance of*some forty members. The minutes of the last annual meeting were read and confirmed on the motion of Mr H. J. Murphy, seconded by Mr F. Ball. The interim secretary Mr W. Sheehan, submitted the annual report and balancesheet as follows: REPORT. Your Committee has to report the completion of another most successful season, not only as regard playing activities, but also in other directions. The list of members stands at 58, of which 31 are men and 27 ladies, somewhat less than the previous season, but this might be rectified during the coming season by greater co-operation and activity in the Club. At the beginning of the season the handicaps were placed on a sound basis by the handicappers and programmes were drawn up by the ladies’ and men’s committees respectively. These were more or less successfully carried out. As regards matches with outside clubs, it has been a very fruitful and successful year and the excellent standard of play attained by the members of the Laing Shield team reflects great credit upon the Club. The Shield was won from Riverton Club and subsequently Riverton, Park and Gore Clubs played challenge matches, which all concluded in favour of this Club. It is to be hoped that the coming season will see such success continued.

The Club championships were successfully carried through, the “A” grade being won by Mr Henderson and the “B" grade by Mr W. Crighton. Thanks are due for the trophies presented for these—a silver cup by Major Rice and a golf bag by the Club. The ladies’ championship was won by Mrs Murphy, “B” grade Miss Baird, and “C” grade Miss Bogue. Trophies for these were given by Mr Sheehan, Major Rice and Mis murphy.

At the last annual meeting the subscriptions for both ladies and gentlemen were increased and thus the Club has been able to carry on without any embarrassment and to make various improvements; a new lawnmower was obtained, the tees at Westward Ho and Long Toni were shifted, a bunker raised at Short Tom Greens, styles and fences received extra attention, new tins were obtained, and the Club-house shifted to a more suitable spot. These are a few of the improvements which have been much appreciated, and the raising of the subscriptions has alone made it possible for the Club to give greater and better attention to these matters. Thus at the end of a heavy season the Club’s financial condition is fairly good. In the past the necessity for better :e--coniniodation has been felt by the members, and consequently the question of a Club-house was raised. Your Committee secured from the Recreation Reserve Trustees permission to occupy a portion of the hockey grounds and it was decided to make an effort to raise funds to erect a suitable building. The result that during July a “Salmagundi” was held, so that approximately £250 was raised.

llie Club-house was in sight and, with a further donation from the Recreation Trust of £3O, the Committee was able to make some definite move in this matter.

Tenders were called and a local builder, Mr Robert Richardson, was entrusted with rhe task, and at the present time the building is in court - ? of construction, and should shortly be ready. Thus before long it is hoped to give members the benefit of the comfort and convenience of an up-to-date Club-house. Greatest thanks are due to all those who assisted in any way in the attainment of this object. We regret to report that we have lost the services of our Secretary (Mr Alex. Sligo), who has left the district to pursue his studies at the Otago University. Mr Sligo has the thanks of thfc Club for the untiring energy, impartiality and enthusiasm displayed by him during his term of office and. carries with him the best wishes of the Club for success in his studies and prosperity in his civil life. The thanks of the Club are due to Mr Gifford, who donated a golf club, and to all those who provided trophies, not only for championship matches, but also for competition during the year, to motor-car owners who provided transport for foreign matches, to the ladies for the excellence of their afternoon teas and to all those who in the smallest way have assisted the Club. GENERAL BUSINESS. In moving the adoption of these documents, the President spoke very briefly on the activities of the season, and commented very favourably on the successful year. Mr Davey seconded the adoption, which was carried unanimously. The office-bearers for the ensuing year were elected as follows: President: Mr S. Rice. Vice-Presidents: Dr. J. H. Baird and C. E. Davey. Captain: Mr W. T. Sheehan. Secretary: Mr G. H. Gifford. Committee: Messrs E. J. Traynor, H. J. Murphy, P. Barnett, F. Williams and F. Ball. The President reported that Mr Sheehan and himself (as representatives of the Club) had attended the meeting held in connection with the proposed Menzies Memorial. As the Club are to have two representatives on the Memorial Committee, he asked the members to make the appointments. Messrs S. Rice (President) and W. T. Sheehan (captain) were appointed, and it was further resolved that the Golf Club give its hearty support to the proposal. The following members were elected:— Mr and Mrs Adam Hall (Redan), Miss Garden, Mrs McFaul, Mrs de la Mare and Mrs Alex. Ross. After some discussion as to the most suitable date, the opening of the season was fixed for Wednesday afternoon, April 22. Mr Davey moved, that if the cost was not excessive, that a flag pole be erected on the new golf-house.—Seconded by Mr Murphy. * Mr Davey mentioned that he thought that the trophy awards should come from the Club funds lor any of the most important matches. He moved: ‘That it be a recommendation to the in-coming Committee that the trophies for the Club championship awards come from the Club funds. If possible, from a special fund set aside for the purpose.”—Seconded by Dr. Baird and carried. Mr Traynor suggested that the new Committee get the putting green constructed without, delay.—lt was proposed that a working bee of members carry out the work on a suitable day, March 25 being agreed on. Subscriptions were fixed on the same scale as last season. The afternoon tea subscription was mentioned by Mrs Davey, and, on the motion of Mr Davey, was fixed at 2/6. A vote of thanks to the chair closed the meeting. LADIES’ CLUB. At the conclusion of the general meeting the lady members met to appoint their office-bearers for the new season. Mr Sheehan (captain) willingly obliged to act as chairman for the meeting. The minutes for the annual meeting were read and confirmed. The Chairman read the Ladies’ Club report and balance-sheet, which was adopted and carried. The following officers were elected: Captain: Mrs Davey. Secretary: Miss L. A. Marsh. Committee: Mesdames W. T. Sheehan, H. J. Murphy, K J. Traynor, I. Malcolm and Miss Fletcher (several other members refusing nomination). Several matters of general interest were discussed and recommendations were made to the in-coming Committee.

Miss McLauchlan inquired if it was correct that several private meetings had been held in connection with the business of the meeting that evening.—The answer was that there had been no meetings, nothing more than a few afternoon tea parties. In his closing remarks, the Chairman hoped that the in-coming Committee would be quite successful, and that the ladies would work quite harmoniously for the good of the Club. A hearty vote of thanks to the Chanterminated the meeting.