GOLF NOTES

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 541, 26 May 1933, Page 7

GOLF NOTES

EXCELLENT RETURN FROM VISITORS' GREEN FEES. POLICY JUSTIFIED. I (By "Veteran.") The long arm of coineidence was stretched out in the semi-finals of the ladies' oj.'en golf tournament when Miss Snodgrass defeated Mrs. Day. : The loser was honorary caddie to the , winner when she first won championI ship honours at Westport — quite a j number of years ago. Thus are our good deeds rewarded in a naughty | Avorld. The extent to which Rotorua golf (lub memhsrs benefit by 'the farsighted policy of the exeeutive in keeping the course open all the year round hy the expenditure of large maintenance sums is apparent when comparison is made with other clubs. Hamilton, which is the nearest eluh of importance, aeeording to their balance sheet, collects £167 in green fees to the £1400 collected in Rotorua. Hamilton has a playing list of 176 members of all degrees, including country and junior members. Rotorua has an eff:ective roll of 160. It would appear that the Rotorua club should be rolling in wealth. It might if a parsimonions and shortsighted policy were adopted. Fortunately, it has not been. The money gathered in green fees is so expended that the' Rotorua golf course has aehieved the distinction of being one of the world's best — not the Dominion, but the world's. Though an occasional growl may be heard about the high fees, the vast majority of visitors have nothing but praise for the course and its management, and the loudest comes from those who are members of the great clubs and overseas and Ameriean visitors. Rotorua golf links is Rotorua's greatest asset. It has been the means of bringing tens of thousands of pounds into the borough and while the policy of giving to the golfing fraternity the best that brains and money can give will continue to be so. Granted that the initial thermal . attraction opened the way, the policy of the club has broadened that way until all golf ers' f eet tread it and none go dissatisfied away.