Memories for Mr. Mabey (The News 2nd June 1973)

The official opening of the new 18 Hole Golf Course at Great Salterns yesterday was a day of reminiscence for Mr. John Mabey, of 32, Gruneisen Road, Stamshaw.

Yesterday 66 - year old Mr. Mabey was in the crowd at the first tee, but on July 14, 1926, when the course was opened for the first time, he had just completed  months of work as one of the groundsmen responsible for the preparation of the Great Salterns circuit. "We really had to work to get it into shape for the opening ceremony, but there was a feeling of real satisfaction when it had been completed. 

By a coincidence, the opening ceremony in 1926 was also staged under blue skies and a warm sun" he said.

White Takes Two Prizes (The News 2nd June 1973)

Alan White, the Blackmoor professional cleaned up the prizes at the Pro-Am Tournament to mark the official opening of the extended Great Salterns golf course at Portsmouth yesterday.

Each professional had two amateur partners - and White ran off with First and Second prizes.

He won with a net 65 with Harry Maber and took second place with net 67 with Ernie Tambling.

White also shared the professionals first prize with Corhampton's Ron Crockford with a gross 70.

Three pairs shared third place in the pro-am - Crockford with Geoff Richardson, Portsmouth's Bill McHardy with Gordon Edmonds and Peter Swann (New Forest) with Cyril Mitchell.  All had net 68.

Third prize in the professional list went to David Miller (Fleming Park) with a gross 73

Eighteen months ago the ball "moved" with Councillor A.D. Darby opened the new Crookhorn course and yesterday after such a nice formal introduction to the VIP (pic 1) it did it again; Coun. Darby's driver failed and that annoying little object remained distinctly unimpressed (pic 2); but everything had a happy ending and the Councillor was finally left delighted peering into the distance.... although we're not going to say just where the ball decided to go.

Hampshire's top professional and amateur golfers gathered in the Great Salterns Mansion - which is also in the process of being reconditioned - for the pre-tournament reception and opening ceremony.

"This is a new milestone in the provision of sporting amenities in the City which now boasts two 18-hole municiple courses," said Councillor Darby.

"With the fantastic demand for sports facilities and the increase in leisure time, when such a facility as this is created there is an overwhelming demand for its use.  The Parks Committee are playing a major role in the challenge to provide what is required," he added.

Councillor Darby complimented the Parks and Recreation Manager (Mr. P Maunder) and his staff for the months of hard work to produce the new course. "Things like this do not happen overnight," he said.

Then it was Councillor Darby's opportunity to turn golfer when he drove his first ball from the first tee. After a swing and miss he jokingly remarked that he had preserved his record, having also missed the first drive during the official opening of the Crookhorn circuit.

His second drive, with a new club supplied by Portsmouth professional Bill McHardy bounced on for 20 yards. But Great Salterns had been opened, and the Councillor's driver presented to Southsea club for annual competition.

Formalities completed, Hampshire's golf stars tested their capabilities on the new course, with first-off Ron Crockford from the Corhampton club, showing how it should be done with a sizzling arrow-straight drive bisecting the first fairway.

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