GERALDINE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20667, 4 March 1937, Page 3

GERALDINE

A NEW TROPHY GIFT TO GOLF CLUB Mr Andrew A. Readdie, the sole surviving original member of the Geraldine Golf Club, which was founded on March 20, 1907, has made a gift of a silver cup to the Club. Mr Readdie, who is an honorary life member, was the first secretary of the Club, and during the intervening' years he has been an active office-bearer and is a former president.

In a letter which was read at the annual meeting, to which Mr Readdie apologised for absence, he stated that, as he thought a challenge cup was necessary for the junior club championship, he asked the club to accept a trophy from him for annual competition among the junior members. It was the young players, whom the club must encourage, and the trophy

was given with that object in view. Mr Readdie left it to the executive to draw up conditions for this competition, merely expressing a wish that the trophy be known as “The Readdie Cup," to perpetuate his 30 years’ very happy association with old and new members. Mr Readdie wished the club a most successful season. The president (Mr P. G. Withers) remarked that he was sure the presentation of the cup was highly appreciated, particularly as it had come from the only remaining foundation member of the club. The club had elected Mr Readdie an honorary life member in appreciation of his keen interest in the game, and his gift was an example that he still retained that warm Interest. The secretary (Mr D. C. Williamson) was instructed to write conveying the club’s thanks and appreciation to Mr Readdie. In moving the adoption ot the annual report and balance-sheet (previously published) the president said that the club could be congratulated on the past season. They had had some very interesting games, and the debit balance had been considerably reduced, which was a very good thing considering the amount of improvements made at the new links. However, there was still a considerable amount yet to be done, and he urged all members to pull together to achieve more in the interests of the club. By means of “working bees” much could be done at the links, and they would also help to save the club’s funds considerably. The club had to rely on subscriptions for its Income, and the subscriptions were just about as low as they could be.

The motion was seconded by Mr A. L. Brenton and carried without discussion.

In vacating the chair the retiring president expressed thanks for the loyal support accorded to him by the committee and the members during his several years of office. Mr Feilden also thanked those members who had given subscriptions towards the fencing round the club house and also for the shrubs which had been planted. Mr P. G. Withers was elected president unopposed. In assuming office Mr Withers expressed thanks for the honour accorded to him, remarking that it was not his first term in the chair. As a grateful “ancient” he had fallen on rocky times when championing the removal of the links, but he felt that he had now been forgiven. He hoped that the coming year would be most successful; his best efforts would be in that direction. The following officers were also elected unopposed.— Vice-presidents, Messrs E. R. Guinness, A. A. Readdie and G. N. Feilden; club captain, Mr R. Patrick; committee, Messrs L. J. Bennington, T. C. Clarkson, A. L. Brenton, W. C. Webb, and A. G. Brown; hon. auditor, Mr J. C. Templer. The appointment of a women’s captain was referred to a meeting of the women members. The matter of appointing a handicapper was left to the committee. Mr and Mrs J. C. Templer and Mrs T. B. McKinlay were elected new members, and eight resignations were received. Question of Championships The committee recommended that the men’s championships be limited to the senior and junior titles, and that the intermediate championship be deleted. The committee recommended further that entries be called for in the men’s championship events, and that the finals of both should be over 36 holes. The president remarked that when members were drawn to play in the championship some withdrew, with a result that byes occurred, and several players reached the final stages without playing a match. It would be better to have a small entry of triers rather than about 20 players who were not very keen. Mr D. C. Williamson remarked that last year there had been considerable difficulty in the junior championship in getting some of the matches played off. In some instances two people had been drawn and neither wanted to play. In .his experience not more than 50 per cent, of the men members played in the championships. In a reply to a question Mr J. C. Templer intimated that the Waimate Club had formerly had qualifying rounds for its championships, but they

had been dropped for about three years, and then reverted to again. Mr R. Patrick expressed the opinion that if qualifying rounds were agreed upon there must be at least two.

It was decided, on the motion of Messrs W. C. Webb and E. N. J. Hannah, that there should be two qualifying rounds in the senior and junior championships, and that eight members be selected. The meeting also agreed that the finals should be played over 36 holes. It was agreed to hold opening day on March 13, and that a working bee be held at the links, next Saturday. Third Party Insurance A discussion took place in regard to a comprehensive third party insurance scheme, as proposed by the New Zealand Golf Association, and, on the motion of Messrs E. R. Guinness and L. J. Bennington, the meeting adopted the committee’s recommendation that the club would be prepared to join at a premium of 1/6 a member. Mr E. N. J. Hannah referred to the fact that there had been a loss in connection with the provision of afternoon tea during the season. He suggested that there should be a slight increase of the tea levy, say 1/- to wipe out the deficit. The matter was left to the committee to go into more fully. In accordance with notice of motion a proposal by Mr G. N. Feilden that the annual meeting of the club be held within a fortnight of closing day was carried. Meeting of Committee At a meeting of the newly elected committee, Mr D. C. Williamson was appointed honorary secretary, and Mr E. P. S. Bennett was re-elected honorary treasurer and Mr R. Patrick handicapper. Messrs P. G. Withers, D. C. Williamson, R. Patrick and T. C. Clarkson were appointed the greens committee, and Messrs P. G. Withers, D. C. Williamson and R. Patrick the emergency committee. The method of handicapping and the afternoon tea arrangements were deferred till the next meeting, as was the question of prizes for the various competitions. A draft programme for the season was discussed and approved. It was agreed to hold a nine-hole mixed foursome competition on opening day.