GOOD YEAR FOR STRATFORD GOLF CLUB

Stratford Evening Post, Volume I, Issue 79, 12 March 1931, Page 6

GOOD YEAR FOR STRATFORD GOLF CLUB

ANNUAL MEETING OF MEMBERS WORK ON NEW LINKS In view of the purchase of new links on a property of 57 acres on the Pembroke Road and the financial problem to be faced in the future, the Stratfcrd Golf Club’s annual meeting, last evening, initiated a fresh era in the annals of the club. Twenty members were present, including five ladies, and the president. Mr. R. B. Anderson, occupying the chair. An apology was received from Mrs. R. Fryday. The Annual Report The report for the season ended February 28, 1931, is one which covers a period of great activity and progress. Dealing with the playing season up to the end of October. 1930, on the Stratford Racing Club’s property, it can be noted with pleasure that the membership at one time stood at the very satisfactory total of 150, and the season finished with 56 men and 81 ladies, a total of 137 active members. Although a number of resignations have been received, mostly from members leaving the district, there is at present every indication that the membership Will be fully maintained. The condition of play on the course were the best experienced by the club since its lease of tho Racing Club’s property, and members are in-

debted to the Stratford Racing Club’s committee and caretaker for the consideration at all times shown them. Unfortunately, however, valuable improvements, from a- golfing point of view, paid for last season, will be lost to the club now that its lease lias been given up. , During the season ten matches were played, of which six were won and four lost. As in the past, the lady members have been of the utmost assistance to the club, not only in helping with the entertainment of visitors but also in 'making possible a profit of £43 9s lid from the annual ball. The activities of your committee, which are perhaps of most importance to the club in general, are those which were concerned with the purchase of new links. A property of 57 acres leasehold has boon secured on, excellent terms, and it will in a very few years’ time be an asset of great value to the club. The term of the lease is 21 years from last November (renewable for a further 21 years at a rental lo be agreed on), at a yearly payment of £SO with rates at present of approximately £47 per annum. The property is let for £7O for the first year, with a right to the lessee to continue for a further live years at the same rental. The club paid £575 for the improvements, and these are an asset saleable on tho surrender of the lease. At present wo have a mortgage of £450 on these improvements at roughly (il per cent, interest, with a repayment undertaking of £l2 10s each half-year. Your committee has had to borrow a further £450 to enable the course to be put in order and to enlarge and shift the golf house. In respect to these transactions the club is much indebted to numerous members for material given and services rendered. In particular, Mr. E. R. RulheiTTml has given very valuable help in arranging the necessary finance at the excellent interest ol 6 per cent.,, and Mr. L. R. Curtis carried out the whole of the removal of the old golf house to the new course without cost to the club. The secretary, Mr. G. G. Newall, put in practically the whole of his holidays assisting in the’ direction of preparing the putting greens, etc., and has , in addition, worked almost every weekend during the present year on the new course. Numerous working bees have also

been organised and many members have been regular attenders at these functions. Some of those unable to attend have handed subscriptions to the secretary, and the club owes these sportsmen a debt of gratitude. The ladies have also organised several bridge evenings, and Mrs. Curtis and Mrs. Burmester have handed the secretary the sum of £l2 as a result 01; these.

Following are the results of the championships:—Men’s champion, R. B. Anderson; runner-up, L. R. Curtis: junior champion, J. C. Allen; captain’s trophy, D. Fisher: ladies’ champion, Miss V. Sangster; runner-up, Mrs. Boon. Liabilities were set out as follows 1 Mortgage, Public Trustee, £4OO at Of per cent and £SO at. S per cent., £450; loan, Mrs. S. E. Jones (guaranteed by certain members of club), c per cent., £320; p.n. by club, signed under seal, repayable by £SO Dec., 1931, and £SO, Dec., 1932, £100; interest accrued to February 29, 1931, on above, £l7 15s lid; wages outstanding at March 28, 1931, £l3 0s 4d; sundry accounts at March 28. 1931, £l4 14s sd; balance expenditure over receipts, £5 9s 2d; making a total of £920 19s lOd. Balance of assets over liabilities are shown at £l7l 2s 2d. Assets are stated as follows; —57 acres 2 roods 34 perches, education lease, Pembroke Road, purchase price £575; permanent improvements, draining, stumping, ploughing, sowing, bridges, etc., say £125; buildings, club-house and tool shed, insured for £205, £300; motor mower, insured for £OS, £75; electric kettle, crockery, stove, etc., £5; rollers, lawn mowers, etc., £5; implements, £5; golf balls on hand, £2 2s; making a total of £1,092 2s. The receipts amounted to £377 13s Bd, of which £256 Is was received in subscriptions. The main items of expenditure were: Wages and

maintenance, £B7 5s 8(1; plant, £Bl 8s lid; rent; to Racing Club, £BS; trophies, £lB 4s Gd; cutting and rolling fairways, £ll 15s 3d. President’s, Remarks The president, in moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, congratulated the club on the very successful year. He dealt in detail with the figures as appeared in the balance sheet. It-was a splendid record, and he was sure members would appreciate the work of the ladies in their efforts to assist the club. Members would find during the present season what had been done on the new course, and he had no doubt they wotild thoroughly appreciate it. The fairways and general conditions would he a little hit rough for the present year, and he would like to see members accept the position with the best grace possible. If as good work was put into the course as was done in the early stages in preparing it for this season, he was sure the greens would soon be as good as ever, and even bettor, in the future than in the past ;and, in fact, he felt certain the Stratford Club would shortly have one of the best country greens in Taranaki. There was only £8 outstanding for subscriptions, and he congratulated the secretary, Mr. (!. (1. Newell, on being so successful in collecting subscriptions. The assets showed £l7l over the liabilities, so that the club was quite solvent. In concluding his review of the position of the club, Mr. Anderson said he had much pleasure in moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet. New Links Mr. 10. S. Kntherfnrd seconded the motion and congratulated the committee on what had been done during year to bring about the position as set before members at the meeting. It was only last November that arrangements were finalised for the lease of the land for the new links. It was to their great credit: that they had been able to establish such a good sole of grass on the course, in view of the fact, that the work was done In the driest portion of the year. The facilities provided would he sure to improve,the standard of golf in the club. The house and buildings were in better order than on (he old course, and there was more accommodation.

which would tend to increase the membership. In conclusion Mr. Rutherfiml stressed, the good work done by the committee elected last year. Position of Ladies Mrs. Les. Curtis said the ladies wished to .know what they would bo allowed to do without always referring their proposals to (he committee. She hinted at certain work at the golf house to make it more comfortable inside ,and more a!tractive outside., ' The president said it was a very kind offer. He did not think anyone would want to interfere. The committee had built the house, which was more convenient (ban the old one, hut if the ladies desired to improve it. in any way (heir, efforts Inwards (hat end would he appreciated, it would he left to (heir own good sense to carry on the good work, as in the past. The president also spoke of the splendid work done by the men a I week-ends. A grehl deal of voluntary service had been given for work on the links. Me did not want to ask the ladies to share in that work, hut if they felt there was work to he done round about the house they were quite at liberty to do so, and it would save the finances. The committee and (lie members would he pleased if the ladies would do just what they considered best, in the interests of the club and the members. Position Encouraging Speaking to the report and balance sheet, Mr. J. Young said the position was very encouraging. The committee was the most successful in its position for years past. They had stepped out and got the -course in really splendid order for (he commencement of the season. Members appreciated and were very grateful to those gentlemen, and things were going along very smoothly. 'The motion was carried unanimously. The Subscriptions According to notice of motion, Mr. Rutherfiml moved that members’ .subscriptions he amended as follows: Ordinary men members, C.‘l Us, reducible to .£:! :’>s if paid by June Ml; ordinary lady members, CR Ids, reducible to £2 2s if paid, by Juno This was seconded by Mr. H. Vv. Douglas and carried. There will he no alteration in the subscription tor country members (classed as those who live three, miles from the Post Office.) The Guarantors Mr. Rutherford moved according to notice of motion that kale ”2 he add ed to as follows: “That so long a any money is owing by the club and

secured in addition by''guarantee by certain members of (he- club, those members may nominate .four .members to the Management Committee, and such nomination shall he deemed to ho an election of such members to the commit(ee.” There was a, little discussion on the motion, which was initiated by Mr. J. Young, who desired to allow the guarantors’ nominees to he elected to the .committee in. the ordinary mania r. He said lie, was sure this would eventuate if their names were disclosed and an election was held. Messrs. J. S. Lyons, J. C. Allen and f others pointed out. that for the sake of security in future years, when perhaps the personal element might helost, sight of it would lie desirable to carry (lie motion us presented. On being put to the meeting the motion was canned almost unanimously. Election of Officer-bearers Ofiicers elected were; President, Mr. R. Pu Anderson •(•unanimously reelected); vice-presideiits, Mr. G. G. Newell and Mr. R. H. Burmester: club captain, Mr. L. R. Curtis (reelected) ; committee, office-bearers ex-officio-and Messrs. G. G. Newell, H. W. Douglas, D. S. RullieiTurd, T. A. Irwin, representing the guarantors; lion, secretary and treasurer, ■ Mr. P. P. D. Jeffries; auditor; Mr. P. Skoglund ( re-elect e;i). Mr. Anderson (Implied, mepibers, for electing him to (lie position of.presj: dent, and in proposing that Mr. Newell he om of the vice-presidents asked that members record‘their appreciation of his work as secretary, and mi the new links. This was carried by acclamation. Mr. Newell briefly acknowledged the compliment; New members were elected as follows; Mr. R. D. Lowers, Miss Field, Miss McCormack. Miss Blythe, Miss Graham, Mrs. Iv. Neal. it was resolved as a recommendation to ilie committee that a golf ball be held this year. A vote of thanks was passed,to the Press for its services, appreciation being expressed of tin l notes' by “Niblick” in the “Stratford Post.”