GOLF.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 March 1920, Page 7

GOLF.

NITW PLYMOUTH NOTES. HAWERA CLUB'S PROSPECTS. Several clubs in New Zealand will open the season a fortnight to-day. Tho Royal Sydney Golf Club lias a membership of 1470. The New Plymouth Club's course at Waiwakalho is now In splendid order, and many members are now playing. The prospects for the season are bright, and a good number of new unembers are Joining. A few years ago there were three goir clubs In New Plymouth, but this year the number is reduced to one—the original Now rlymouth Club. The Wltlora Club lias had to step nsldo for the progress of settlement in Westown, and the greater portion of the course Is to be cut up for building sections. To some It will mean at least a temporary rotilTeonant from gslf, whlleothers will join the New Plymouth Club. The annual Easter tournament at New Plymouth, which lias become one of the most popular gaihcrings for golfers In tho North Island, promises t< he a record meeting this vear. The programme, which has already been published, provides three days' Interesting play, and splendid entries are assured. Visitors are expected from Auckland, Hawke's Bay, Wellington. Manawatu, and Wanganui, while all the Taranakl clubs will be well represented. The Hawera Club may be numbered among3t the lucky golf clubs In Taranaki, for although it does not possess a course of Its own. the club has. through the generosity of Mr. Channlng Tonks, had placed at Hs disposal, free of rental, a very fine property about a mile and a half from the town Not only has Mr. Channlng Tonks allowed the club the free use of this splendid property, but he has been very good to the club In keeping the course well stocked throughout the summer season, making it possible for the members to play all the year round. The greens are therefore In splendid order for the coming season, and the prospects for the club are decidedly promising. In past years a difficulty facing the club has been the growth of sand grass, necessitating an expenditure «p to £4O for clearing at the beginning of the season. Tills was always a drawback as far as finance was concerned, but on account of Mr. Tonks' consideration In feeding the paddocks down, this expenditure has been saved, and tho season can be commenced with the course in splendid order.

At Ihe present time the club has a membership of about 75, Including SO ladles, all of whom are ready to start the new season. Throughout the summer months, however, play has been kept up, and at the present time, several of the members .ira busy practising for the Now Plymouth tournament at Easter. In addition there has been keen competition for the Summer Cup, but owing to the Influenza outbreak, the competition Is not yet finished. In the coming season there will be weekly competitions, in which It is expected keen Interest will be taken. Also during the season, interclub matches will bo played with the Stratford, Elthaim, Inglewood, Pa tea, and Waverley clubs, and on June 3, the annual match with New Plymouth will be played on the latter course.

One of the advantages of Ihe Hawera club as compared with most of the other clubs in the province is the fact that there Is a caretaker living on the course throughout the year, and members are enabled at all

ti'nes to procure tea and luncheon on the grounds. Mr. Channlng Tonks has presented the club with a strip of land Soft by 30ft, on which a building has been erected, which is used as a caretaker's house, and also as a pavilion.

At the nvesent time tho club has a ninehole course. Some years ago it had an 18-hole course, but owing to the growth of sand grass, it was decided that it would be better to have a nine-hole course In good order until the club was In a sufficiently strong financial position to pay for the upkeep of the larger course. it Is, however, possible that ihe matter of enlarging the course again will receive consideration during the coming season. In one respect may the Hawera club be said to be unfortunate. It has recently lost some of Its leading players through removal to other towns, and has not gained any good players In their places. Plenty of young colts aro always coming on. but the loss of leading players has been felt by the club. Another good player who will be leaving Hawera this month is Mr. W. O'Caltaghan, otie of (he best players in Taranakl. For sixteen years part he has been an active worker for the club, having filled practically every office. He Is shortly leaving for a two-years' tour round the world.

Mr. 3. T. Salmon, the present secretary of the club, has also left Hawera. having been transferred to Stratford early In February. Shortly after his arrival In Stratford he had the misfortune to break his leg In an accident, and he has had to remain In hospital since then. Owing to his accident the annual meeting whlc* Is usually held early in March, cannot take place until his discharge from hospital. The Hawera club, however, In spite of these little difficulties, can face the new season with the utmost confidence, and the members may be exported to give a good account of themselves at the Easter tournament, and at all the Inter-club matches In which they take part during the season. Ernest Moss has been advised by cable that he has teen appointed professional to tho Auckland Golf Club. I am pleased to hear It (writes "Auld Reekie" in the Sydney Referee). Moss was In tlw first place assistant to Prank O'Brien at Ktllara, and is highly spoken of by all the members. He then was assistant to D. G Soutar, at Manly. I can speak In the highest terms of Moss, ooth a's a club maker and coach, and In the latter capacity I cm Indebted to him for many valuable hints. He has not entered for the big professional competitions, as the nature of his work has not permitted the necessary time to practise, but he has a powerful and attractive style, Is quite young, and, • given more practice, will be able to hold his own with anyone. The club Is lucky, to my mind, in getting so good a man as Mess, who will give every satisfaction to the members.