TIMARU GOLF CLUB.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 14 October 1926, Page 6

TIMARU GOLF CLUB.

PROPOSED LAND PURCHASE. QUESTION RE-OPENED. A special general meeting of the Timaru Golf Club, called on the requisition of several members to reconsider a proposal to purchase the property known as Stanbury’s paddock, adjoining the Club’s links, was held last evening. Mr W. 11. TValton presided over an attendance of 5 2 members.

Mr TValton said that the meeting had been called as a result of a requisition signed by members to reconsider the question of purchasing the property known as Stanbury’s paddock. The matter had been fully discussed at a general meeting held two weeks previously, but as a number of. members had not been able to attend, they had forwarded a requisition to the secretary calling for another meeting in order that, they could take part in the discussion and record'their vote on the question. As t,lie sale of the property was to take place on Friday next, the requisite seven days’ notice could not he given for tho meeting, but if the club was in favour of the purchase, the committee could' take steps to obtain a further renewal of the offer until a properly constituted meeting could be held.

Mr P. B. Foote said that the club undoubtedly owed a debt of gratitude to the president for the energy and time put into the question. Unfortunately a number of those in favour of the proposition were unable to attend the last meeting, and as it was turned down by a small majority, he and the other requisitionists considered that a further meeting should he held to consider the matter. Pie had heard many expressions of opinion regarding the course. Personally, he considered that a danger existed at the three final holes, and also considered it would be in the best interests of the club to make the course a championship one. The only way to improve the course was to purchase land, and it would be generally admitted that the paddock in question was the only land available. His resolution did not provide for the use of the whole of the land, that being left to the committee to decide. As regarded the disposal of the balance, Mr Donald Grant had offered to take off their hands any of it they did not require. If extra funds were required he considered that there were enough influential meif in the club to raise that money without any call upon the members in the way of extra subscriptions. Mr E. D. Mcßae said that it was obvious that there was not sufficient room on the course, and the fact that it was not a championship course was also a big drawback. It would be a difficult matter to estimate how much space would be required at the links in the near future. The town was also growing, and available space rapidly becoming more difficult to obtain. Even if it was necessary to raise the subscription, members should not object to an increase of a few extra shillings yearly to bring their links into first class order. Mr C. E. Torlesse said that the club Bhould bear in mind the fact that some years ago the Shirley Club had, turned down '"ail : offer " for the purchase of extra land, and eventually were compelled to purchase the land at more than twice the price. The time would come when the links would have to be lengthened, and the present time was undoubtedly the cheapest time to do It. ■ > . Mr TV. T. Ritchie said that when the second meeting was called, for a while he was averse 'to attending. Members had all received due notice of the first meeting, and if they were interested they should have been there. Mr Foote had referred to the length of the course, but he was In a very doubtful state of mind as to the advantages of possessing a championship course. Personally' he would sooner see a well-laid out and wellbunkered course, rather than a course of the requisite length not so well laid out. As regarded congestion, if members had moved about a bit, they would realise that congestion was not known in Timaru. The suggestion to sell what land was not required was, he considered, a very optimistic suggestion. The land they required was the eyes of the property, and the remainder —the back facings—-he considered was of little value. If the land was taken into the Borough it was doubtful with the increased rating whether the club could hold it or do as other city clubs had done, move further out. From a building joint of view he did not think that tlie course could be considered suitable as most of it was lying In a hollow. The purchase of tho property, in his opinion, would necessitate at least an increase of a guinea in the subscription. Added to that was the increased cost of upkeep incurred in the extra property taken over. . ... Mr E. Ze.islqr said that in spite of what Mr Ritchie had said, he was still optimistic regarding;,,. ...the proposal. Pie was certain that tho club would have to get extra, length in the future, and also reorganise their course. He considered that the time was now opportune to secure the required laud. _ Mr E. Scott said that even if the length of the links was increased, very few more 'players could be accommodated over the 18 holes. He considered that the majority of the players were those with handicaps between 10 and 18, for whom the present course was quite suitable. He would rather see. the links improved as they were, than made into a championship course. Mr Hamilton produced a plan of a course, including the land under discussion. He considered that suitable holes could be laid doWn on that portion of the property which opponents to the scheme had . considered useless for the purposes of the club. In reply to Mr Finch, the chairman said that Mr Donald Grant had told him personally that he would huy the land not required by the club. He also had said that he did not require the southern slopes, but would take it in ,if the club would take over allother portion at present held by him. Mr TV. Scott said that the club should obtain the service of a golf course architect and ascertain exactly what land was required. Mr C. Wood jr. said that from the point of view of the. average playei and the juniors, he did not think that a championship course would benefit the players for the extra subsciiption that would be involved. Mr C E. Kerr said he did not think that he had heard an argument that night why the property should not be purchased. The club was going to forge ahead, and something would have to bo done in the future to prevent congestion. If the club had to shift out into the country, lie considered it would cost member's twice as much to play golf. He considered it was a great opportunity to make money for tlie club. If they missed it, the chance was gone forever. In the interests of the club and game, the property should be purchased.

Mr G. H. R. Ulrich said 4t was obvious that, the’club did not want all the land now offering, and he considered a little land purchased near

Lindsay's and tlie Chasm would effect greater improvement. He admitted that there was congestion at the last three holes, but he did not think are 18-hole course would obviate it to> any appreciable extent. Mr M. Houlihan considered that the' matter had been very fully discussed at the previous meeting, and that further discussion would not affect til? result previously arrived at.

Mr M. J. Knubley urged the necessity of purchasing extra land, pointing out the disabilities at present being laboured under by several sports clubs in the town through not purchasing sufficient land when it was not available. Mr Fqote said that because some courses in England -were congested there was no reason why they should put up with it here. There they put up with it because they had to; in Timaru they did not. Mr Ritchie had said that it would be necessary to pick the eyes out of the property, but Mr Hamilton had submitted .a plan, entirely on his own account, which gave some idea ,what could be done with the poor portion of the land. In the event of the links being brought into the Borough, he would also remind them that there was a special rating provision providing for the classification of land as a sports ground at reduced rating. That, he considered, largely disposed of the rate bogey. Practically every oppositionist had admitted that extra land should be purchased, and he wrs firmly of opinion that it would be advisable to grasp the opportunity while it was available.

Mr Footers motion was then put to the meeting as follows: —“That subject to financial arrangements being made, the club directs the committee to purchase the whole of the land known as Stanbury’s paddock at a price not exceeding £45 per acre, andliaving purchased the land, to go fully'into the matter of hoW much of the land is required for the Improvement and lengthening of the course, and then to make the necessary arrangements for selling off that portion of the land which in their opinion is not required, now or in. the near future, for the purposes of the Club.’’

The motion was lost by. 35 votes to