WINTON GOLF CLUB

Southland Times, Issue 22473, 8 November 1934, Page 8

WINTON GOLF CLUB

LOCALITY OF NEW LINKS. SITE AT “THE BEND.” (From Our Correspondent.) A special general meeting of the Winton Golf Club was held on Monday evening for the purpose of discussing the question of a site for new links and it was unanimously decided that new links be set out in the property of Mr G. King, “The Bend. The property, which had already been inspected by members, is about two and a quarter miles out of the town, and it was stated that an excellent course would be available over country described as being of a hilly nature. The president of the club, Dr. P. Gow, presided over an attendance of 20 members. , . , . In outlining the objects of the meeting, the chairman said that the property owned by Mr J. R. Hamilton, on which the club’s present links were situated, had changed hands, and .as the new owner, Mr J. F. Hamilton, intended dividing several of the paddocks and stocking them with cattle, sheep and horses, the present grounds would not be suitable for golf. The committee of the club had visited several properties, including the racecourse, in close proximity to the town, and after some discussion members had come to the conclusion that the property of Mr G. King at “The Behd” would be the most suitable. After Mr King had been approached it was agreed that all members should have a look at the proposed site, and on Wednesday afternoon last 36 members took the opportunity of visiting the proposed new links. Two members had been appointed to interview Mr King regarding terms. A course of nine holes had been mapped out by Mr A. B. MacDougall, and this gave members some idea as to what the new links would be like.

Mr T. N. Mitchell, one of the members who interviewed Mr King, reported that Mr King had met the club very favourably. The property was used in the main for grazing and was ideal for the purpose of links, while another point was that it was not intended to turn it over for some time. The matter of rental appeared only as a side issue, and in this respect Mr King had been very considerate. The speaker expressed the opinion that a satisfactory agreement could be drawn up. Mr King had mentioned that the club would improve the property to a certain extent and had offered to charge no rental for the first year. Dr. Gow remarked that the property provided sufficient room for a full length course to be mapped out. Some people would probably play during the summer and over the weekends. The membership of the club at present was between 60 and 70, and he did not think the membership would show any decrease with the links on the new site. The club was in a sound financial position, while as far as conveyance went, this was quite easily arranged in other towns. A motion was put forward by Mr O. A. B. Smith and seconded by Mr W G. Clark, jun., that the club form new links on the property at Ihe Bend” on the conditions to be drawn up. The motion was carried unamm°UVarious details were discussed at length, and the following committee was set up to supervise the laying out of the course and the transferring of the club’s property: Messrs A. B. MacDougall, T. Walker, N. R. Farnall, T. N. Mitchell, W. Clark and Dr. P. Gow. Dr Gow referred to the generosity of Mr and Mrs J. R. Hamilton who had made their property available to the club for the past ten years, and on which an excellent course had been set out. The club could not repay the great assistance that Mr and Mrs Hamilton had given, and members now realized how fortunate they had been with such excellent links so handy to the town. Everyone had spent many enjoyable days on the property. He suggested that a letter of appreciation be forwarded to Mr and Mrs Hamilton for their many kindnesses in the past. Dr. Gow remarked that Mr Hamilton had taken a great interest in the final of the men’s championship, and had followed the players for a time, but finding this rather strenuous he disappeared, but later returned with his hack. Mr Hamilton witnessed the remainder of the match on horseback. Dr. Gow considered this something of a record. It gave members great pleasure to see Mr Hamilton throughly enjoying the game. * Other members referred to the wonderful help that Mr and Mrs Hamilton had given and the keen interest that they had shown in the club. A motion was carried electing Mr and Mrs Hamilton and Miss H. Hamilton life members of the club. As has been the custom in the past, the owners of the property on which the club’s links are situated, Mr and Mrs G. King and Mr and Mrs R. King, were elected honorary members.

The opportunity was taken to present a number of trophies won during the recent season. Referring to the men’s championship, Dr. Gow said that more than usual interest was evinced in this event, which was won by Mr A. B. MacDougall, who had not played for some seasons, but decided to again enter, and after assidious practice staged a great comeback and managed to beat last year’s champion, Mr W. Clark. The ladies’ championship had been won by Mrs W. Clark, who was recognized as the best lady player of the club. She had to play up to her best form to account for a promising young player in Miss I. Shand. Trophies were presented as follows: Men’s championship, A. B. MacDougall; runner-up cup in men’s championhip, W. G. Clark, jun.; ladies’ championship, Mrs W. G. Clark, jun.; runner-up lad-

ies’ championship, Miss I. Shand; bronze medal, L.G.U. competition, Mrs T. W. Brandford; ringer competition, Mrs W. G. Clark; special prize for other than L.G.U. players (trophy donated by Mrs T. W. Brandford), Miss E. Cowie; special stroke competition for closing day, Mrs J. B. Cowie; Hamilton challenge cup (presented by Mr J. R. Hamilton for the best three of four qualifying rounds, W. Clark.