Dear Members,
At the Board meeting held on Tuesday 25th August 2015, the Board received the Finance report for July and noted a loss of $3,875 for the month. The result for July was against a budgeted profit of $16,831. For the same month last year a loss of $16,038 was recorded.
A more detailed Income and Expenditure report is available for members to view on the Club’s website.
The Auditor attended the Board meeting and tabled his report for the end of the Financial Year. The Board resolved to adopt the Financial Statements as prepared by the Auditor. The result for the year ending 30th June 2015 is a profit of $54,475. All other information will be published in the Annual Report. The Annual General Meeting for 2015 is scheduled for Thursday 22nd October. Nominations for the Board will open on Saturday 19th September and close on Thursday 8th October.
The insurance claim for storm damage and interruption to business is still awaiting determination by the Club’s insurance underwriters.
The Board would like to congratulate our Ladies Silver Pennant team on their win.
The trial combination of playing the 6th and 4th holes as a single par 5 was completed. The online survey had 289 responses and 185 voted to leave the course in its current configuration. The Ladies took the opportunity to trial the 16th hole as a Par 5, by moving their markers back to gain distance and their mini survey had 64 responses with 61 in favour of the change.
The feedback provided through the trials and surveys is valuable and will assist any future committees charged with investigating options to develop the course. The Board would like to thank the members for their patience and co-operation in conducting these trials.
The Match Committee reported on progress towards formalising the use of the optional forward tees. New tee markers have been ordered and a new green (replacing black) course will be set up and measured with a tee marker on every hole. Members will have the option to play the green course and will play off handicaps appropriate to that course. Those handicaps will be determined using the slope system. Further information will be provided as we get closer to making this change.
The Muirfield Cup is approaching and those members who have qualified have been contacted and we wish everyone good luck.
The Greens Committee reported on the progress of sand linked drainage installed on the 18th fairway and other sites that have had remedial sand link drainage installed. Further patching and repair work is set to be carried out on the 4th and 7th holes. The work on the 4th hole will result in that hole being closed and the par 3 practice hole will be used in its place.
The new 16th back tee should be in play from early September to coincide with the Saturday pewter round.
The 12th hole, where sand linked drainage was previously installed, will be top dressed in spring.
The hedge near the old 15th tee was removed and the plan is to use bark to cover the ground.
The August greens renovation was completed and greens are now in the recovery phase. We anticipate firm healthy greens for our club championships. Tees are expected to start improving in November when the warmer weather arrives.
The Greens committee is investigating options to improve the egress from the 13th green area to the 14th tee. Also some options for improving and leveling the 2nd tee are under consideration.
The Junior Committee reported that clinics are attracting 6-7 starters. The Encourage Shield players are now being coached at special clinics designed for them. Our girl’s championship has been abandoned for this year we only have 2 possible players.
The Membership, Marketing and House Committee reported on progress with fortnightly advertising of club membership through the local newspaper. Facebook is also going well. Currently we have a list of 91 members who have not renewed. Follow up on that list is in progress and the reasons for non renewal are varied with many not continuing to play golf or moving to different areas.
The Board discussed at some length the various issues relating to membership recruitment and the impact caused on our budget and the future of the Club. It was noted that many other clubs are having similar issues. Further discussions and feedback will be referred to our membership sub-committee.
The Board approved an initiative to improve our communications by introducing a monthly Email-Newsletter. An additional module provided by Mi-Club will be purchased at a cost of $1600.
The Board noted that 32 volunteers assisted with the greens renovation and various other gardening tasks around the course.
The Schnitzel and Mussels night only attracted 40 patrons. Those in attendance reported that they enjoyed the evening. Unfortunately the fire alarm went off and the Fire Brigade attended resulting in an evacuation of the building. On a positive note this turned out to be an excellent drill that was handled professionally by our staff and Fire Warden, Joel.
The next Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 29th September.
Chris Courtney
President.
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