Nominal increase in golfing fees

Taupo Times, Volume 19, Issue 98, 17 December 1970, Page 1

Nominal increase in golfing fees

After a ballot, the biggest attendance in the history of the Taupo Golf Club — more than 200 members — at the annual general meeting on Monday night approved an increase in subscription rates, but to a lower level than that recommended by the committee.

The rates adopted were: Full playing men, $38, reducible to $34 for prompt payment; full playing Iadies, $32 reducible to $28; limited, $10; intermediate, $15; junior, $4; non-playing, $6; absentee, $6; country, $18; entrance fee, $25.

The rates unanimously recommended by the Committee were: Full playing men, $44 reducible to $40; full playing ladies $34 reducible to $30; limited, $18; intermediate, $15; junior, $4; non-playing, $6; absentee $6; country, $18; entrance fee $40. A reduction of $5 in combined husband and wife playing fees was also recommended. Outlining the committee recommendation, the chairman of the finance subcommittee Mr M. J. Morel, said the amounts suggested were the minimum required to complete the new clubhouse building and surrounds, erect a trundler shed and proceed with the development of a second course. The recommended increases in subscriptions would produce about $6000 and entrance fees an estimated $1500. Mr Morel said it was estimated that the increases

would provide a surplus on next year "s operations of about $7600 to finance additional borrowing for projected works Following a motion, that the committee's recommendation be adopted, Mr P. A. Kunac moved an amendment that nett full playing subscriptions be $34 (men) and $28 (ladies), limited $10 and entrance fee $25. He suggested other rates be as recommended by the committee, but the combined rate for husband and wife should be eliminated. While he agreed that some increase was necessary, Mr Kunac said the recommended rise from last season's nett full playing rates of $28 (men) and $22 (ladies) was too high. He was opposed to the proposed increase in entrance fee from $25 to $40. Subscriptions were last increased three years ago and the result had been a marked drop in membership. Mr Kunac said it had taken two years for the loss in numbers to be recovered. Membership would again drop if the recommended increases were adopted, but the drop would be lessened if smaller increases were instituted. The smaller drop in numbers would mean that there would be no overall loss of revenue to the club. Mr Kunac asked that the question be decided by ballot, instead of the normal show of hands. A ballot was required under the rules provided it was requested by five members. Mr Morel said the increases had not been recommended lightly by the committee. He repeated that, in the opinion of the committee, the amounts were the minimum required for the satisfactory

progress of the club. "Every $1 reduction in subscription rates means that $600 less is available to the club for the improvements members want," Mr Morel said Mr G. Melville said he was in agreement with the increases recommended by the committee, However he was of the opinion that the proposed entrance fee of $40 could be a hardship for new players. He moved a second amendment, that the committee's recommendation be adopted with the alteration that members be given two years in which to pay the entrance fee. Mr Melville s second amendment was declared carried on a show of hands. Mr Kunac repeated his request for a ballot. After a considerable amount of discussion, Mr Morel — as president — ruled that the question could only be determined by a meeting of the committee Following a brief committee meeting, Mr Morel announced that it had been decided that the original motion be withdrawn, and a ballot held between the amendments put forward by Messrs Kunac and Melville. The ballot resulted in Mr Kunac 's amendment being carried.