IN NEW ZEALAND

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 242, 12 October 1937, Page 4

IN NEW ZEALAND

GREATER ACTIVITY MANY NEW CLUBS FORMED. [ Per Press Association. ] WELLINGTON, Oct. 11. Reference to me rapid progress made in golf in the Dominion during the past year was made by Sir Alexander Roberts (chairman) at the annual general meeting of the New Zealand Golf Association to-day. The total i lembership of clubs affiliated to the New Zealand Association on July 31 was exactly 300, with a total membership of 27,146. The total membership in the North Island was 18,919, and in the South Island 8227. In pointing out that the North Island had a little over two-thirds of the total, Sir Alexander suggested that the South Island might endeavour to improve their position from a statistical point of view. He also mentioned. Jhat many new clubs had been openua in the Dominion during the last few years. The association’s scheme for coaching had proved a success, he said, and the association’s professionals, J. A. Clements and A. E. Guy, had had a particularly busy season, having already done twice as much teaching as they did last year. A curious fact was that with their considerably smaller membership the South Island had made many more demands for the services of the professionals than the North Island. Actually, thirty visits had been paid to South Island clubs, whereas there had been only four in the North Island. The council had been very encouraged by the wide support from clubs concerning its third party insurance scheme. It was hoped to institute this year some scheme Of insurance to cover caddies, who were frequently more exposed than the players themselves.

A splendid response had been made by golfers to the King George V Memorial Fund appeal £561 9s 5d having been raised. Green Research. During the past year, said the chairman, further assistance had been given to green research work. “We provided some £550 for that very important work,” he said, “and I am sure that now the scheme is working efficiently you will agree with me that it is money well spent by this association. For the last few years we have been more or less playing with the subject of green research, but during the last year we have been able to secure the services of Mr. Horton, and for additional expenditure he was able to give clubs first-class advice. It seems to me that whereas in the past very little was got from green research for the amount expended on it, for a little additional expenditure this year we have got a great deal. I am sure this work will progress very satisfactorily under the able direction of Mr. Horton and the supervision of the greens research committee.” Tennis and bowling clubs throughout the Dominion had also sought the advice of Mr. Horton regarding the state of their greens. Centennial Tournament. In speaking of the fairly large sum of money the association now had in hand, the chairman said that with the prospect of a big golf tournament in centennial year, all the money possible would be needed. It was hoped to stage as big a tournament as the one held in Melbourne in its centenary years. Rule 20 of the association’s rules was considered by the majority of delegates to be too mandatory, and was altered from “If a member of any club affiliated to the association be more than twelve months in arrears in subscription or other fees, the club shall advise the secretary of the association and the latter shall inform the secretaries of all affiliated clubs that the offender is debarred from joining or playing at another club until all arrears shall have been paid,” to “If a member of any club affiliated to the association be more than twelve months in arrears in subscription or other fees, the club may advise the association and the latter may inform the secretaries of all affiliated clubs.” Mr. A. Seifert, chairman of the local greens committee, at Palmerston North, moved a vote of thanks to the Agricultural Department for its assistance at the Palmerston North plots. No nominations were received for seats on the council and last year’s

executive remains unchanged: Sir Alexander Roberts (chairman), Messrs. W. A. Kiely, W. E. A. Gill, J. H. Drake, A. R. Sclanders, C. H. Andrews, and J. C. Peacock; secretary, Mr. G. O. Sutton; and auditors, Messrs. Ernest Hunt, Turner, and Heslop.