STRATFORD GOLF CLUB.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 86, 18 April 1913, Page 8

STRATFORD GOLF CLUB.

ANNUAL REPORT. The following is the annual report of the Stratford Golf Cluh to be presented to members at the meeting this evening:— “In presenting the ninth annual report, jour committee have pleasure in being able to state that the affairs of the club are in an exceedingly healthy condition. Since the foundation of the club, no season can compare with the one under report as regards finance, increase of membership, enthusiasm of the players, and the fewness of outstanding subscriptions.

“At tiic commencement of the season, the bank overdraft was £34. Besides tins amount, the dub also owed £ll for accounts outstanding for the previous season. At the end of the present financial year (March 31st) the club owed the bank £26. The seemingly largeness of this amount is accounted for by the fact tnat during the. summer months a sum of £22 was expended for labour and material in improving the links, and the sum of £J in purchasing additional rollers. The assets of tna club are valued at £9O, so members will readily perceive that the club's position is ail that can he desired. During the season the membership of the club was increased by 34 members. The membership now stands at 71, 44 men and 27 ladies. The increase in membership is due solely to tiie growing popularity of tna game of golf. The subscriptions received from members amounted to :£IUO Ids, a record for the club. During the first few weeks of the season, the grounds and greens were not in an absolutely golfing condition, but improved greatly later in the season. attention the greens received during the summer has vastly improved them. Also the inside of tno raceourso has been well stocked by the racing club, and therefore there will be no long grass to contend with. Tho putting green in front of the pavilhon has also been attended to, and ought to he available for putting in a few weeks’ time.

The men played inter-club matches with New Plymouth (2) and Inglewood (2), winning two and losing two. The championship was won by Mr J. F. llitchie. The ladies played malclies with Hawera (2> and Inglewood (2), the results l>cing two wins, one draw and one loss. During the season the ladies became associated with the Ladies’ Golf Union. The services of a professional could not bo obtained until so late in the season that your committee, considering the local climatic •conditions, deemed it inadvisable to engage his services. For the coming season a professional has been arranged for, and he is due to come to Stratford about the middle of June. ■ At the last general meeting the following notices of motion were given : (1) That those members living outside the eight-mile radius from the Stratford Post Office be admitted foi £1 per annum (men) and 10« per annum (ladies). (2) That the honorary members be admitted at qxiartei of the usual rates with a minimum subscription of os. These matters will come before you at the geneial meeting for discussion and consideration. your committee desire to thank those ladies who on several occasion.j provided afternoon tea, also those members who donated trophies and the racing club and its caretaker foi the use of a horse and dray and generally assisting to make the links so comfortable.