Auckland & Provincial Veteran Golfers Association founded in 1947 was the first in New Zealand followed in 1948 by Wellington.
Mr Arthur Sharpe is credited with promoting and originating the Auckland Veteran Golfers during 1946. Arthur came to Wellington, New Zealand from North Queensland where he worked on the trams (capacity unknown) which had just been introduced. He shifted to Auckland in 1946 where he became a saddler. Arthur began playing golf at age 62 and continued well into his 80’s.
He is remembered by two trophies which are still competed for yearly:
Arthur Sharpe Cup - Donated by D.T. Pearce, played for on the first day of the season.
Arthur Sharpe Trophy - played for on our second visit to Maramarua.
The first meeting of a small group of members was held at The Grange Golf Links on 27th November 1947. In the early days they were known as Links not Courses. Those present were:
Mr Frank Wiseman
Mr C W Russell
Mr N V Greager
Mr G I Taylor
Mr Frank Schischka
Mr W F Wilkinson (who was appointed Secretary)
A Medal round was played with winners being G I Taylor and C W Ruysell with net 75. Green Fees were 2/6p (25 cents).
It was agreed to adopt the title of Auckland & Provincial Veteran Golfers’ Association, a name that remained until it was changed to that by which we are now known, although in between there was the suggestion that “Veteran” be changed to “Senior”, but this change was never accepted. It was also proposed and agreed that a four day Tournament be held at The Grange on April 20th to 23rd 1948, which was later changed to May 11th to 14th. Green Fees charged by the club were 10 shillings per player (One Dollar), and this was for four rounds as two rounds were played on Thursday.
The second game was played at Akarana; no mention of how many played. So from then on it was full speed ahead with monthly games being played although with varying limited numbers. Prior to each game a meeting was held for those who arrived to play; these meetings were predominately chaired by Mr Frank Wiseman As well as the meetings that were held at the various game venues, a number of meetings were held in Mr Frank Wiseman’s office in Wiseman Sports Store, Queen Street, Auckland.
During 1948 Mr W F Wilkinson retired as Secretary and was succeeded by Mr Arthur Sharpe, who was to hold this position for a record 25 years.
This was the same year that the Wellington Association came into being and yearly games between the two groups were played for a number of years, with the first taking place in Rotorua.
At the 1948 March meeting Mr G L Taylor was elected President after being proposed by Mr F K Wiseman seconded by Mr G Crouch.
The records show that from the first game in 1947 up to April 1952 the greatest number of players at any game was 34, even though in November 1949 a suitably inscribed trophy was presented to Mr M L Staple who became the 100th member of the Association.
At a meeting on April 15th 1948 it was decided to open a bank account with the Bank of New South Wales, Queen Street South Branch, we are still with them although there have been some name changes. At the same time it was decided that members’ handicaps could be changed from their club handicap if it was deemed appropriate. In this day and age I don’t think such a move would succeed. During the first years up until 1952 games were played at Grange, Akarana, Maungakiekie, Chamberlain, Middlemore, Titirangi & Remuera.
The first recorded Annual Meeting on 16th July 1949 shows the following elected to office:
President: Mr G L Taylor
Chairman: Mr F K Wiseman
Secretary/Treasurer: Mr A F Sharpe
Committee: Messrs F Schischka, C W Russell, Mr W G Crouch, Mr A F Shepherd, Mr A N Smales.
The accounts for year ending 31 May 1949 show a total turnover of 100 pounds, 3 shillings and 2 pence. Cash on hand 13 pounds, 3 shillings. A year later turnover was 150 pounds, 5 shillings, with cash on hand of 40 pounds, 12 shillings, and 5 pence. During this period the purchase price for two trophies which are still played for, are quoted as 2 and 3 guineas respectively.
At the June 1950 Annual Meeting, due to Mr F K Wiseman’s retirement, Mr A F Alpe was appointed Chairman. In the following year at the 1951 Annual Meeting Mr G L Taylor retired as President and Mr F K Wiseman was elected to the position.
Shown below is a portion of the December 14th 1950 Monthly report.
WINNERS TODAY
A F Sharpe-----65 nett
G Lyttleton-----67 nett
Both Burglars were reduced 4 & 3 strokes respectively.
This is where we lose track of the Society’s activities; there is no Minute Book available for the period May 1952 to February 1973.
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Mr Arthur Sharpe is credited with promoting and originating the Auckland Veteran Golfers during 1946. Arthur came to Wellington, New Zealand from North Queensland where he worked on the trams (capacity unknown) which had just been introduced. He shifted to Auckland in 1946 where he became a saddler. Arthur began playing golf at age 62 and continued well into his 80’s.
He is remembered by two trophies which are still competed for yearly:
Arthur Sharpe Cup - Donated by D.T. Pearce, played for on the first day of the season.
Arthur Sharpe Trophy - played for on our second visit to Maramarua.
The first meeting of a small group of members was held at The Grange Golf Links on 27th November 1947. In the early days they were known as Links not Courses. Those present were:
Mr Frank Wiseman
Mr C W Russell
Mr N V Greager
Mr G I Taylor
Mr Frank Schischka
Mr W F Wilkinson (who was appointed Secretary)
A Medal round was played with winners being G I Taylor and C W Ruysell with net 75. Green Fees were 2/6p (25 cents).
It was agreed to adopt the title of Auckland & Provincial Veteran Golfers’ Association, a name that remained until it was changed to that by which we are now known, although in between there was the suggestion that “Veteran” be changed to “Senior”, but this change was never accepted. It was also proposed and agreed that a four day Tournament be held at The Grange on April 20th to 23rd 1948, which was later changed to May 11th to 14th. Green Fees charged by the club were 10 shillings per player (One Dollar), and this was for four rounds as two rounds were played on Thursday.
The second game was played at Akarana; no mention of how many played. So from then on it was full speed ahead with monthly games being played although with varying limited numbers. Prior to each game a meeting was held for those who arrived to play; these meetings were predominately chaired by Mr Frank Wiseman As well as the meetings that were held at the various game venues, a number of meetings were held in Mr Frank Wiseman’s office in Wiseman Sports Store, Queen Street, Auckland.
During 1948 Mr W F Wilkinson retired as Secretary and was succeeded by Mr Arthur Sharpe, who was to hold this position for a record 25 years.
This was the same year that the Wellington Association came into being and yearly games between the two groups were played for a number of years, with the first taking place in Rotorua.
At the 1948 March meeting Mr G L Taylor was elected President after being proposed by Mr F K Wiseman seconded by Mr G Crouch.
The records show that from the first game in 1947 up to April 1952 the greatest number of players at any game was 34, even though in November 1949 a suitably inscribed trophy was presented to Mr M L Staple who became the 100th member of the Association.
At a meeting on April 15th 1948 it was decided to open a bank account with the Bank of New South Wales, Queen Street South Branch, we are still with them although there have been some name changes. At the same time it was decided that members’ handicaps could be changed from their club handicap if it was deemed appropriate. In this day and age I don’t think such a move would succeed. During the first years up until 1952 games were played at Grange, Akarana, Maungakiekie, Chamberlain, Middlemore, Titirangi & Remuera.
The first recorded Annual Meeting on 16th July 1949 shows the following elected to office:
President: Mr G L Taylor
Chairman: Mr F K Wiseman
Secretary/Treasurer: Mr A F Sharpe
Committee: Messrs F Schischka, C W Russell, Mr W G Crouch, Mr A F Shepherd, Mr A N Smales.
The accounts for year ending 31 May 1949 show a total turnover of 100 pounds, 3 shillings and 2 pence. Cash on hand 13 pounds, 3 shillings. A year later turnover was 150 pounds, 5 shillings, with cash on hand of 40 pounds, 12 shillings, and 5 pence. During this period the purchase price for two trophies which are still played for, are quoted as 2 and 3 guineas respectively.
At the June 1950 Annual Meeting, due to Mr F K Wiseman’s retirement, Mr A F Alpe was appointed Chairman. In the following year at the 1951 Annual Meeting Mr G L Taylor retired as President and Mr F K Wiseman was elected to the position.
Shown below is a portion of the December 14th 1950 Monthly report.
WINNERS TODAY
A F Sharpe-----65 nett
G Lyttleton-----67 nett
Both Burglars were reduced 4 & 3 strokes respectively.
This is where we lose track of the Society’s activities; there is no Minute Book available for the period May 1952 to February 1973.
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