Women Membership strategy
The Board meeting held at the end of June considered the matter of the declining number of women joining the Club and ways to try to address this.
It resolved to have a Working Party consider all options for increasing the level of female representation at the Club and it endorsed the following actions for immediate implementation:
- (i) Implement a 5-year plan that sees the Gateway to GA offer available on an annual basis ie: as a starting point, 5-month introductory membership to start with for up to 30 women;
- (ii) As part of the 5-year Plan, ensure new member programs have the capacity for targeted programs for multiple levels of capability ie: beginners, intermediate and advanced;
- (iii) Develop a strategic Marketing Plan to support the 5-year Plan for increasing women’s membership.
- (iv) Develop a detailed member induction package that includes rules sessions, golf etiquette plus rounds with experienced golfers; and
- (v) Introduce a system to match partners for mixed events.
Website Development
The Member Services Sub-committee Chair, Tim Thorne, addressed the meeting and advised that the work on the development of the new website had been paused. Whilst disappointing that we have to delay launch, we are adamant that we will deliver a website of the highest standard and a new plan to do that will need to be developed and make sure we have the best photography, video and latest design features we can get. Once a revised timeline is developed, members will be advised accordingly.
Financials and Membership
The P & L report for the month showed a $27k negative to budget result. This was mainly due to unbudgeted clubhouse repairs and lower than budgeted subs due to category transfers. Cash reserves were $5.02m at the end of the month. At the end of June, the Club had 1351 financial members with 34 new members having joined the Club so far this financial year.
Course Matters
The meeting was advised that the first “text” draft design philosophy of the Course Enhancement Plan (CEP) had been received from our course architects and would now be reviewed by members of the Course Sub-Committee. Once this review has completed, feedback on the draft will be conveyed to the Course Architects (Clayton and Kruse) so that detailed design of the CEP can be drawn for presentation to members. It is anticipated that this process will take a few months.
In answer to questions on course remediation, the Vice Captain advised that irrigation trench work and other “course scars” would be addressed as a priority in Spring once the turf comes out of dormancy. Some “off play lines” such as between 6th tee and 8th green will be turfed but turfing on play lines (on fairways) will not be completed until closer to Spring as the turf comes out of dormancy.
In answer to questions on course remediation works, the Vice Captain advised that irrigation trench work and other “course scars” would be addressed as a priority in Spring once turf is available.
