MAHUNGA GOLF CLUB

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 April 1938, Page 5

MAHUNGA GOLF CLUB

DEVELOPMENTS IN RECENT YEARS. LINKS AMID BEAUTIFUL SURROUNDINGS. A happy choice was made by the officers of the Mahunga Golf Club when they selected the site of their golf- links. The beauty of the area, which includes several pretty climbs of native bush, is considerably enhanced by an unrestricted view of the Tararua Ranges, which provide a most effective background to the extensive prospect of the countryside that is in sight from many parts of the links. It is hard to realise the transformation that has taken place. It is a matter of four or five years only since mush of the area was a wilderness of gorse and other rubbish, while today there are excellent 18hole links on the property.

Before establishing links at Mahunga, the club members had played for several seasons at the Solway Showgrounds, the inaugural meeting being held on July 31, 1931. This club obtained a lease of portions of the showgrounds, on an annual basis of £25, the members subscriptions being 30/- per year.

In February, 1935, the members decided to acquire an 18-hole course and were successful in leasing an area of 90 acres, at that time portion, of the property of Messrs Matthews Bros, Akura. The Solway venture had proved a success and the accumulated funds acquired during the club's four year at Solway were transferred to the new club at Mahunga. It is interesting to note that of the foundation members who were responsible for the formation of the club at Solway, two only are today still active members, Messrs I. I. McGregor and J. G. McFarlane. When the Mahunga site was taken

over it was badly infested with gorse' and briar but within a surprisingly short space of time, the land was cleared and an 18-hole course laid out. At this stage the club was greatly indebted to Mr H. Rayner, who undertook the work of clearing the land and while it was in progress allowed several ■ fairways to be laid down on his own property. A tremendous amount of improvement work has been carried out since the club became established at Mahunga, the expenditure being about £350. The latest improvements, the installation of cattle stops, will' be greatly appreciated by members, as these have eliminated the necessity of opening and shutting gates. Since its inception the club has erected a clubhouse, has purchased a fairways and greens mower and engaged a permanent greenkeeper. Mr T. H. Horton planned the present lay-out and in doing so took advantage of all the natural features of the land and the links bid fair to become in time as good as any in the Dominion. Considerable credit is due to Mr Horton for the enthusiasm and carefulness with which he entered into his task.

EASTER TOURNAMENT EIGHT EVENTS TO BE PLAYED On Easter Saturday, Sunday and Monday, the Mahunga Golf Club will hold its Easter Tournament. Eight events will be decided, the Autumn Plate, the best sixteen scorers to playoff (match play); the Mahunga Handicap, for which the next sixteen best gross scorers shall qualify (match play on club handicaps); first stroke handicap (18 holes) to be played in conjunction with the qualifying round; second stroke handicap, to be played in conjunction with the first round of the Autumn Plate and the Mahunga Handicap, two bogey handicaps, played respectively in conjunction with the second and third rounds of the Autumn Plate and the Mahunga Handicap; a Stableford Competition, and a four ball stroke handicap (9 holes). Play will start on the morning of Saturday, April 16. Entries close on Wednesday, April 13, and post entries will be accepted. MAHUNGA LADIES. DRAW FOR SATURDAY. The following is the draw for a Medal Round to be played on Saturday:— Miss N. Chapman v. Miss Cummins; Miss Coleman v. Mrs R. Donald; Miss Diggins v. Miss E. Wickens; Miss Goodall v. Miss Johnstone; Miss Hunter v. Miss McCord;' Miss. Holtham v. Miss Watson; Miss Madsen v. Mrs Mannering; Miss Pike v. Miss Smith; Mrs Riddell v. Mrs Roach; Miss Rudd v. Miss Taylor; Mrs Ward v Miss Eddy; Miss B. Long v. Miss Gaynor. MEN’S BOGEY COMPETITION.

The following is the draw for a Bogey' Competition to be played at Mahunga on Saturday;—. A McGregor v. S. Jenkins; V. H. Heath v. D. H. Huhn; C. K. Burling v. R. L. Hughes; W. B. Printz v. D. Cummins; R. Donald v. K. G. Mills; S. M. Gilding v. J. G. McFarlane; A. E. Friend v. K. Gorringe; J. A. Hannigan v. I. McFarlane; J. A. Hannigan v. R. Gorringe; H. A. Guy v. N. Miller; D. B. Curry v. A. O.

Jones; G. J. Duff v. P. Hamill; N. Fleming v. H. Parker; F. C. Brockett v. W. Hosking; N. S. Parsonson v. W. C. Orange; J. L. Hughes v. T. Jack; T. Nelson v. W. G. Bishop; F. K. Evans v. W. Johansen; W. Ball v. W. W. Hendry; R. J. Smith, v. C. Sutherland; J. Morris v. L. Roach; E. Jenkins v. J. Urquhart; A. A. McDonald v. G. R. Ward; L. J. Thompson v. W. R. Watson; A. H. Ward v. R. Weston; R. S. Williams v. E. Sandbeck; C. F. Thompson v. G. T. Wagg; A. Scott v. E. P. Smith. Players are requested to contact their partners so as to arrange starting times. Members handicaps will be posted in. Club House.