Feilding Golf Club

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 33, 9 February 1937, Page 3

Feilding Golf Club

FAREWELL TO DR. G. PHILLIPS A very pleasant little gathering of a social nature took place in Feilding last evening when Dr. G. Phillips was the guest of tho president and members of the Feilding Golf Club to mark his forthcoming departure from tho lonn. There Was an excellent attendance over which Mr. G. M. Moffitt (president) presided. It was with very mixed feelings that members had assembled together, said Mr. Moffitt, to say au revoir to 010 so highly esteemed as Dr. Phillips. Their guest had had a long career in his profession and would be shortly enjoying the pleasure of a retired life and when that time came the speaker trusted that Dr. Phillips would find an opportunity of making use of the links. He was a most popular member of the club and his presence on the links would be missed very much indeed (Hear, hear). No personality was better known and Mr. Moffitt was sure all members wouli remember his wonderful enthusiasm for the game. Concluding, Mr. Moflitt trusted that after leaving Feilding Dr. Phillips would have oeeasiou to remember the pleasant times he had spent on tho course (applause). Mr. A. C. McCorkindale said it was a privilege to be called upon to pay tribute to one so honoured. Dr. Phillips had had a very honourable career both as a physician and as a citizen and had later been called upon to become a golfer. The committee for a timo had been disturbed since it was ascertained that the doctor was of the “hit and run” typo (laughter) but later he was able to baffle himself down. All enjoyed his company on the links for his wholehearted enthusiasm had stimulated enthusiasm among others and generally he had done much to pi omote the spin; of camaradie among members. Tho speaker regretted that he was leaving the town and wished him every happiness and good health and expressed the hope that when the doctor retired he would find his associations with the club so strong that ho would return to Feilding, driving straight down the fairway (applause). Mr. J. Graham said it was a pleasure to bo associated with the honouring of the guest of the evening. He agreed with tho note struck by tho previous speakers and that was the doctor’s enthusiasm for the game. He was undoubtedly the personification of keenness and that keenness had infected all members. 'The speaker recalled the time when member j had some concern that the doctor had been unable to collect a trjphy so they proceeded to arrange for one and Mr. Graham felt that that trophy was the ono most valued by the guest. (Laughter.) AU wero very sorry to lose Dr. Phillips but now he was about to enjoy some leisure he would obtain more pleasure from the game (applause;. Dr. F. Cameron was happy to bo assoc.ated with the gathering and said that Dx. Phil kps ’ popularity was not so much due to his genial personality as to his enthusiasm tor the game and the pleasure bo had derived from it. lie played the game for the game’s sake 1 applause). AU joined in wishing him every happiness and good health. The real secret of the doctor’s retirement was tho fact that his work interfered with his golf (laughter). His feilowpraetitioners iu Feilding regretted bis departure very much and the speaker knew that many in the community would feel tho same regret since they were losing that tradition —the family physician—the rock on which the profession stood. Ho concluded by ex pressing tho hope that Dr. Phillips would connect with every drive, sink every putt and find a very happy “19th” (applause). The health of Dr. Phillips was then toasted and the president then presented the guest with a handsome leather suitcase as a token of esteem from members of the club. “I do not quite know how to thauk s'ou all,” said Dr. Phillips in reply. Ho did not feel that be deserved all the kind things that had been said of him. •He had been very happy on the links and regretted very much that he had not taken up the game earlier. lie had enjoyed his stay iu Feilding very much and doubted whether he should ever find a finer lot of people. Ho did not know how 110 would be able to leave tho town and was now only realising what a happy place it was. The doctor went on to speak feelingly of his happy associations on the links and he hoped that his successor, Dr. McLaurin, would find it the same. “I thauk you all very much,” he concluded. The gathering then extended a cordial welcome to Dr. McLaurin, who suitably replied. Air. VV. E. Carthew, on behalf of the gathering, proposed the toast of Airs. Phillips and Aliss Phillips and spoke of their help iu promoting the welfare ot tho club. They would be missed very much indeed. Dr. Phillips thanked the members for their kindness in honouring Mrs. Phillips and his daughter. The proceedings concluded with the toast of the president, which was proposed by Air. J). C. Cullinane and suitably honoured.