President’s Patter – April

President’s Patter

Every month in our Club presents challenges to staff as we adapt to changing times.

By now you will be aware that our great chef Ross Fisher has resigned due to personal family reasons. You may also know that he has been very unwell for some time and I am sure you will join me and the Board in wishing him and partner Mindy all the best.

There is no doubt that he will be sorely missed, he was a great asset to the Club and whilst no ne is ever irreplaceable it is always difficult when a key member of the team leaves. I am personally extremely grateful that Des has built up a strong and mutually supportive team over the past couple of years and our Club is very fortunate to have Tanya Brennan to cover the role for a short period which she will do with her usual flair and professionalism.

Please be mindful that our staff and Tanya in particular will be under considerable pressure over the next few weeks at least and your understanding and support for her and the team will be critical as we attempt to fill the role that Ross will leave shortly.

In other matters Alan Grist is doing a great job in his role as Director of Grounds working closely with Ground Superintendent Dave Brennan. Our Sod Skwod are also doing a great job each Monday and save the Club much time, effort and dollars in the work they do and on behalf of the Board I also thank them for their efforts. Our grounds staff like the rest of our team are under manned but you would never know from the great condition the course is in generally. When you consider the huge amount of maintenance work and general day to day demands of keeping an 18-hole course up to scratch with competitions virtually every day of the week our team of 5, two of whom are part time do an amazing job. Visitors from metropolitan clubs are regularly amazed when they learn of how few grounds staff we actually have. This is not to say that the situation is not being looked at and some additional staff will be a longer-term requirement as we move forward.

I am aware also that some members have been vocal in complaining that our bar prices are too high. I am not sure what these are being compared to however the Board tasked Des and Bar Manager Ross Kirby to investigate this concern, as they do periodically to make sure we remain competitive with like providers. After looking at Busselton and Sanctuary golf clubs, Treendale Farm and a couple of metropolitan golf clubs we come up very well indeed to them where we are considerably less compared to some and slightly more than others in some beverages. This will be further discussed at the Board meeting on Thursday.

Along with a few other members I am travelling to Katanning this weekend to play in their 4BBB team event. Hopefully the weather will be kind to us.

I can’t believe Easter is just around the corner but till then happy golfing!