WELLINGTON GOLF CLUB.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 182, 27 April 1908, Page 8

WELLINGTON GOLF CLUB.

OPENING OF THE NEW CLUBHOUSE. The new golf house, which was opened at the. Silverstream Link's by tho President of the Club (Sir Joseph Ward) on Saturday afternoon, has a delightful situation. It stands on a natural terrace, backed by native bush, and looking over tho links up a valley bordered on one side by low hills, on the other by hills covered with bush, and shut in by hills and purple mountains. It ivould. be difficult to find anything more charming than tho view from the wido balcony on > suc]i a sunny afternoon as Saturday, and travelled golfers declare that in another year, when the improvements made have had time to take effect, this Will be one of tho finest golf links in tho world. The clubhouse, which was designed by Messrs. Crichton and M'Kav, and built by Messrs. Manning and Broadioot-, is a picturesque white building with rod roof and black facings. There is a wide verandah and a balcony on tho 'two sides that command the finest view. On tho ground floor are situated the general luncheon room, the gentlemen's smoking room, and running back' behind this is the goutlemen's„dressing room, a large room Where lockers and clubs are kept. Upstairs, over tho luncheon room, is the ladies' dressing room, we'll furnished, and provided with lockers, and next door is their sitting-room. ' A set of rooms behind this_ is set aside- for. tho use of tho caretaker of tho links and his wife, who acts as housekeeper.

Sir- Joseph Ward, in his speech before de-1 daring tho clubhouse open, briefly sketched the history of the Club since its establishment in May, 1895. Its formation was mainly due to the energy of Miss Duncan, who with Mr. D. B. Howden and others arranged for tho lease of tho links at Miramar at a nominal rent. The first captain was Mr. T. J. Wardrop, and the secretary was Mr. Leo Tripp. Tho first ladies' captain was Mrs. H. D. Bell, and the secretary Miss Duncan. Tho original golf house, which consisted of two small rooms, was opened by Lord Glasgow in July, 1895. The members showed a great interest in their Club, and soon after its formation their numbers totalled 100. Tho Club was greatly indebted to Messrs. W. "and D. Prydo, two first-class golfers, who wero always ready to tender advice and instruction to members. The lease of the. Miramar links expired in September, 1906, and after very thorough inspection of 'all likely sites the present links were secured by a syndicate of Club members, who purchased the ground on behalf of tho Club and rendered tliemsdves liable for'tho purchaso money, some £12,000. Some 133 acres was subsequently handed over to tho Club at tho original cost price, the/balance cf the property beins sold at an advanced figure and the profit nut towards the Club funds. The total sum'netted by tho Club was £1700. It was the intention of the syndicate to provide a' links and sports ground for Wellington for all future time. The Club took possession of its new grounds barely twelve months ago. The purchase money amounted to about £9500, and since then various improvements have been effected in the way of planting shade and shelter trees, making lawns on the terrace, top-dressing, and removing quantities of stones. It will bo necessary to spend still more ( money on its behalf, and the services of a. professional are required. It had been feared that, the transfer of tho Club to Silverstream might' result in the loss of' many members, but in addition .to members who had resigned on account of having to lcavo Wellington, only two active players had been lost by the Club, and since then 60 new members had joined, 38 of.whqtri-wcro on the playing list. The-membership.of the Club oil; March 31 was 252. The Club-was. greatly' indebted to the Building Committee, Messrs. Coom and Marchbanks,:who -de-, voted a great deal of time , to; supervising .tho erection of the building. Sir. Joseph raised the hopes of the Club members by speaking of tho.. additional'railway facilities that were likely to be granted, and tile probable reduction in fares. Tlio minister for Railways had the matter under consideration, he said, and .a definite arrangement would probably bo arrived at. It is. lioiv (nearly ten ■ years, since a championship meeting was held in Wellington, and the. meeting,for-. 1909', which''has to- be hold' in tho ..North Island, will :• probably bo. held ,on the Silverstream Links, so tho Club members' have a big incentive to work ■hard at getting the links .and surrounding grounds into thoroughly good order. .' 'After the opening speech there .was 'a''four-. >ball exhibition match over the first, nino holes, Messrs. A.'Duncan and .Walter'Reid playing their best ball against Messrs. A. J. Abbott and Handyside. -Then there was a •ladies' driving , competition- -won \by Mrs. Turnbull, with Miss Simpson second; a men's driving competition was won by Mr.,Handy-' side, with Mr..,'A. J. Abbott second. The men's-and ladies'-, putting competition . was won by Mrs-C. Pearc'o, Miss Meuley being second, and by Mr. M. Turrell,; with Mr. Frost second. Tho' ladies' booby prize for driving fell to the lot- of Mrs. C. Pearce, and .Messrs. K. Duncan and Wilford dividedbetween.- themselves tho 'honour of securing tho men's booby' prize. ■ . ■ •-. ■ Sir Joseph Ward has .presented .to the members of the Wellington Golf Club two' silverclubs, one for ladies and tlio other for'men, eachjif which is to bo played for on.terms arranged by the members themselves.