GOLF

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19539, 25 March 1926, Page 4

GOLF

RANGITIKEI CLUB ANNUAL MEETING The annual meeting of the Rangitikei Golf Club will bo held in St. Andrew’s Church schoolroom, on Friday, at 3 p.m. The annual report is asgjfollows: — The committee has pleasure in submitting the first annual report and balance-sheet of the Rangitikei Golf Club, for the year ended February 28, 1926, and wishes to congratulate the members on a very successful year.

The balance sheet shows the club to De in a good state financially, there being a credit balance at the Bank of New Zealand of £2B 7s 3d; but against this there are several outstanding accounts, mostly for labour just recently employed, amounting approximately to £l5, which, howevcq will come under this year’s expenditure. The biggest item on the sheet is for the preparation of the greens and for general labou”, and this will always be so, as it is the aim of your committee each year to improve the links as far as the funds will allow, with the object of providing a refelly first-class course for the members. During the past year, particularly after the close of play, a great amount of work was put into the greens, tees, ano fairways, and it is hoped that the beneficial result is now evident. Unfortunately owing to the exceptionally wet winter we experienced last year, the contract to resow, top-dress the greens, etc., was delayed rather late in the season, and in the ensuing dry spell the grass did not grow Jas well as could be wished. It is regrettable tilso that in the case of one green (the Plantation) a few rabbits have caused us a lot of trouble, but with a little extra expense and given favourable weftither the damage can soon be repaired. The committee, after careful consideration, decided to make some slight alteration to the course. The old No. 3 Hole (familiarly known as the Fort) has been cut right out and an entirely new hole formed after No. 6 (the Plantation) to take its place. The other holes, with the exception of the old No. 4 (the Prairie), which has been lengthened considerably for the men, remain practically the same. A very necessary feature is the addition of ladies’ tees, which will bring the members to a more even mark in mixed mfetch play, the ladies being previously under a distinct handicap in playing off the same tees as the men.

The rules as recommended by the committee to the members of the club, a copy of which every member has, have been drawn up after most careful consideration, land are modelled on the lines of the rules of two old established clubs—the Wellington Club and the Manawatu Club—but modified to suit conditions locally. It is now for the members, who have by this time studied their copies, to move for the adoption of them, with or without alteration. Probably the point that will appear most prominently to the members is the slight increase proposed in the ladies’ subscription, but your committee thinks this is necessary, bearing in mind that the club was favoured to the extent of £26 odd in donations during the past year—a source of revenue to which the club cannot look this year. The proposed inerdasc will just about amount to this sum. and as the committee has in view other necessary improvements for the convenience of the members it finds it is necssary to have the funds. There is also the matter of affiliation with the New Zealand Golf Association to be considered. The fee in this connection would he Approximately £8 8s per annum for this I club. Distinct advantages are to he gained in linking up with the parent body, to wit, guidance in all matters pertaining to golf, assistance in securing the services of a cofech, and also to give the club a status whereby members may he allowed to compete in matches with other clubs and enter into tournaments and championships. This is essential, as it would he the means of improving the standard of play of the members and at the same time the club would be recognised in fell outside competitions. The lady members would later link up with the Ladies’ Golf Union also. Last season it was difficult to arrange matches, for a number of reasons, so the only ones that wore played were for trophies presented by Sir James Wilson, and Messrs 11. Wilson land A. J. Law, and the thanks of the club are due to these gentlemen. This year, however, it is proposed to arrange monthly medal matches for both the ladies and the men, so that the question of providing medals is also to he considered, as well Jas having proper score cards printed, with the holes, distances and local rules thereon. These competitions would he of twofold benefit, viz., promoting interest and improving the standard of play in the club, 'and at the same time the score cards

would enable the secretary to arrive fet handicaps. Last season the club had a membership of 99, comprising 57 ladies, 24 men, 10 non-players and 8 honorary. Taking into consideration the necessity of providing a first-class course, with the attendant expenses in upkeep, it appears imperative to the committee that more revenue is required for the coming season. If, however, the expenses become lighter in the .following years, subscriptions could easily be Readjusted, as such provision is allowed for in the proposed rules. The thanks of the club are due to Mr J. Tricker for allowing the club the use of his land and for the very generous and valuable Assistance he has given the club during the year, and to Mr H. A. Goodall as honorary auditor. The rules of the club will also be brought forward for approval. EXHIBITION FOURSOMES Received March 24, 7.55 pjn. NEW YORK, March 23. At Aiken, South Carolina, Kirkwood and MacDonald defeated Ingles and Thomson, three and two, in an exhibition match.