GERALDINE GOLF PAVILION

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21180, 29 October 1938, Page 3

GERALDINE GOLF PAVILION

Proposed Scheme of Improvements

Greens Need Attention * First

' Stated by members that some of the greens were in a shocking condition and needed attention first, a scheme to expend £l2O on improvements to the Geraldine District Golf Club's pavilion was defeated at the annual meeting held on Thursday evening. The scheme was outlined on behalf of the pavilion committee by Mr E. N. J. Hannah, who said that it was proposed to knock three rooms into one to provide a common room, and to build a new men's club room at the far end. The scheme would cost £l2O, and it was proposed to raise the finance by members taking non-interest bearing debentures of £l, which could be repaid at the rate of £lO a year by ballot. Mr Hannah claimed that the club was in a financial position to go ahead with the scheme, and said that the need of more comfort and warmth at the pavillion was felt, especially by women members.

Mr L. J. Bennington who opposed the proposal said he did so because an expenditure of £8 to £lO would achieve all that was necessary In the meantime. If the club had any money to spend, he said, it should be used to improve the greens. The club had a very good course, but the greens wete in a shocking condition, If a more elaborate pavilion was built, extra money would be required for fuel and maintenance. Mr J. R. Lack said he was opposed to the pavilion extension. The club needed to expend more money on the course and greens, and it was necessary to provide water for the greens.

Mr P. G. Withers said the club was indebted to Messrs E. N. J. Hannah and A. G. Brown for going thoroughly into the proposal. However, the cost would not stop with the alterations, because there would be a need of furnishings and fuel, and the rooms would need to be kept scrupulously clean. The club had already a debt of £l5O and should concentrate on paying that off. Mr G. N. Feilden said that an alternative suggestion would be the installation of a heater point. Mrs J. C. Templer said she would like to see something done at the pavilion, but she would also like to see the greens improved. Good greens were necessary for the full enjoyment of golf.

That the plans were very satisfactory but the proposal a little ahead of time, was remarked by the president (Mr E. R. Guiness) when the suggestion was strongly defeated by the vote of the meeting.

ANNUAL MEETING SUCCESSFUL YEAR "The construction of a bunkering scheme and the building of new tees had been the most important work carried out during the year,” said the president (Mr E. R. Guiness) at the annual meeting of the Geraldine District Golf Club on Thursday evening. Tlie annual report stated that in the early part of the season, Mr W. M. Horton, greens advisory officer, paid a visit to the course and at the invitation of the committee submitted a report on the course and a plan of bunkering. As subsidised labour was available under Scheme 13, the committee had decided to proceed with the work. Two men had been employed for 12 weeks during which time an extensive bunkering scheme had been carried out, in addition to various other improvements. The fairways and greens had been in good order throughout the season, and it was worthy of note that at no time during the season was it necessary to close the course on account of wet weather, although nearly every other course in South Canterbury had had to close for varying periods during the season, in some cases of considerable length. The president said that during the season a great deal of work had been done by the chairman of the green’s committee (Mr R. Patrick) and the members were deeply indebted to him. Tile most important work during the coming year would be the improvements of the greens, Mr Guiness concluded. The election of officers resulted:-

President, Mr E. R. Guiness; vicepresidents, Messrs J. R. Lack, G. N. Feilding, P. G. Withers; club captain. Mr A. L. Brenton; committee, Messrs M. P. Watson, J. I. Lysaght, W. C. Webb, E. N. J. Hannah, and L. J. Bennington; handicapper, left to committee to appoint; auditor, Mr J. C. Templer. At a subsequent meeting of the committee, Mr D. C. Williamson was appointed secretary, and Mr E. P. S. Bennett, treasurer. Messrs E. R. Guiness, W. C. Webb, E. N. J. Hannah, D. C. Williamson and E. P. S. Bennett were appointed a greens committee. The annual report disclosed that the year began with a credit of £l/18/11 and ended with a credit of £2O/4/1. The sum of £lO3/16/0 had been expended on maintenance and improvements. There were 127 members and the club had been represented at interclub matchs and in outside competitions.

The president (Mi- E. R. Guiness) who moved the adoption of the report and balance sheet said the season had been a successful one in spite of the fact that the course had been under snow for a fortnight. A pleasing feature had been the collection of more than £lB in green fees. He thanked all members of the club who had given their loyal support and those who had given prizes. In seconding the adoption of the report and balance sheet, Mr P. G. Withers snr., complimented the committee on the able manner in which they had attended to the finances of the club.

It was agreed to reduce the club's loan of £l5O by at least £lO next March. The secretary, Mr D. C. Williamson, said that the inter-club matches had been difficult to arrange in some cases, and it might be necessary in future to arrange these home and away in alternate seasons.

It was agreed to set up a sub-com-mittee to revise the rules and Messrs E, R. Guiness, D. C. Williamson, J. C. Templer, P. G. Withers and A. L. Brenton were appointed. Captain and Mrs C. J. Kerr were elected life members of the club. The chairman said that Captain Kerr was a former president and had presented the Kerr Quaich to the club. Mrs Kerr had presented a silver salver for the women’s championship, and both had been active workers for the club before they had left Geraldine. A suggestion that the club adopt the Ladies’ Golf Union system of automatic handicapping was made by Mr Withers, but the discussion was allowed to laspe. A further suggestion that a four ball knock-out competition be added to the programme was made by Mr Webb, who offered to provide trophies. The matter was referred to the committee. Water for Greens A comprehensive scheme for the watering the greens was outlined by Mr Webb, and the meeting referred the scheme to the committee for consideration.

included the sinking of a number of The scheme outlined by Mr Webb pipes, a portable petrol pump costing £35/10/0 ,two lengths of hose and an automatic sprinkler. Mr Webb said that if the scheme were adopted the greens could be given a good watering at least once a week and suggested the raising of debentures to provide the finance. Women Members A meeting of women members of the Geraldine District Golf Club was held yesterday afternoon when the following officers were elected:—Captain, Mrs W. S. Parr; scretary, Mrs D. C. Williamson; assistant secretary, Mrs E. J. Wood; handicapper, Mrs Wooding; committee, Mrs J. C. Templer and Miss K. Polhill.

"ONE AGAIN OFF AGAIN” The merry makers of comedy Wheeler and Wolsey in “On Again Off Again,” which will be screened at the Geraldine Municipal Theatre to-night at 8 o’clock is a laugh from start to finish. A good supporting programme will also be screened. NOTES The annual ball and presentation of trophies of the Rangitata Mniiature Rifle Club will be held in the Rangitata Soldiers’ Memorial Hall on Thursday, November 3. CHURCH SERVICES The services in the Parish of Geraldine to-morrow and also on All Saints’ Day, Tuesday next, will be found on page 2.