GOLF IN SOUTH WESTLAND

Hokitika Guardian, 30 July 1928, Page 2

GOLF IN SOUTH WESTLAND

OPENING OF THE WAITANGITEONA CLUB. Last Saturday afternoon the newlyformed Waitangi-Teona Club at Wataroa was formally opened under the most favourable circumstances. About a dozen members from the Hokitika Club journeyed south to participate in the opening match. On the Friday evening a. Golf Ball was held in the Public Hall at Wataroa and the visiting members of the Hokitika Club were the guests of the evening. The weather for the opening match was perfect, the sun shining brightly in a cloudless sky. At 2 p.m. the players and onlookers (who were more numerous than the players) gathered at the first tee, and were addressed by Mr Dennehy, a member of the Committee, who explained the difficulties which had to be surmounted before a golf club at Wataroa was possible. He stated that tue principal credit was due to their President (Mr Purcell) and to Mr Northcroft, on whose lands the course was laid off. The President (Mr Purcell) then formally opened the links, and drove a magnificent brassie shot from the tee. The match took the form of a mixed foursome and the following hit off in the order indicated; the members of the Waitangi-Teona Club arc shown with the letter “W” after their names.

Mr Neville and Mrs Purcell (W) and Mr Purcell (W) and Mrs Baker. Father O’Dohertv and Mrs Gunn (\V) and Mr Kortegast and Mrs Cloher (W). Mr F. Dennehy (W) and Miss Gilloolv and Mr Baker and Mrs Smith (W). Mr Adams and Miss Dennehy (W) and Mr Carver and Mrs Ross.

Mr Morpeth and Mr D. Dennehy (W) and Mi' Cloher (W) and Mrs Burns.

Mr Clogue (W) and Mrs Mcßride (W) and Mr Smith (W) and Dr Bell. After the match the players and onlookers were the guests of the President at a most enjoyable afternoon tea. It was announced that the best card had been returned by Mr F. Dennehy and Miss Gillooly, who had done a very good round. Mr C. Neville in returning thanks for the kind hospitality extended to the members of the Hokitika Club, complimented the members of the Waitangi-Teona Club on the progress which they had made, and expressed the wish that in the very near future a return match would be played on the Hokitika links.

The links just opened at Wataroa have great possibilities. At present the course consists of only seven holes, but a nine-hole course could be obtained with very little difficulty: llie links have many natural advantages, especially in the way of bunkers, and one well-known Hokitika player, who gallantly saved his ball from a watery grave in one morass, only to lose it again at the next “ water-jump,” will never forget the opening day at Wataroa. The scenic surroundings are superb, the green meadows, the forestclad hills, and in the hack-ground a semi-circular range of snow-clad mountains, with Mount Adams dominating the scene.

Now that Wataroa has made a start it is to be hoped that other prosperous farming settlements in Westland will follow suit, and play the royal and ancient game of golf.