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CHAIRMAN’S REPORT JULY 2019

Some of this report is a duplication of what I said at the AGM recently so bear with me if you attended that meeting!

CATERING

Now that our new Catering Supervisor Tracey Weber is in role, and with Paula’s support in the kitchen, we are gradually taking in the new work that is not already contracted out to DDW. Tony’s Captain’s Day on July 7th was a huge test that they passed with flying colours, offering a choice of 4 meals for a very reasonable price and providing some lovely food that was well presented to us all.

We are painfully aware that in the past when we had the bar/catering in house the Club lost money every year. We are trying to keep staffing to a minimum and also be clever regarding staffing numbers fitting the requirements of each day. We are being careful over opening hours too, but we are intending to stay open for longer as I informed you in a recent email. Having said that we cannot expect to pay a member of staff to sit for 2 hours in the bar to serve 2 cups of tea! We are monitoring numbers in the late afternoons regarding the use of the bar to help us make informed decisions. The motto here is “use it – or lose it!” Remember too that hot drinks and snacks are always available in Reception during the hours that the upstairs area is closed.

PROFESSIONAL - SAM BECKETT

As you all know now Sam is our most recent addition to the OGC family, coming back ‘home’ after 5 years at Burghley. He has already been pro-active with his “Pro-Challenge” on Captains Day and we are looking forward to many more new events. He is busy stocking his Pro-shop with modern equipment and has made a good start with many lessons. He has told me that he has really enjoyed his first full month here. 

STAFF TEAM

So our team is complete – adding to Lesley White, our Administrator, Helen Austen in Marketing and our Green keepers. All the members of staff are tasked with increasing income for the Club. This could be in the form of golf lessons leading to new members, marketing deals that lead to new members and venue bookings, more visitors and societies, an increase in footfall upstairs from other members of the public – lunches, coffees, party bookings, lowering costs on greens treatments etc etc. Every aspect of our Club has got to cut costs where possible and increase revenue.

MEMBERSHIP

I have got to remind you all that income from our members’ subs only brings in 2/3 of the required amount to run our Club. The rest has got to be found from our other income streams. Members who complain about societies and visitors on the course have got to realise that if they want exclusivity they would have to pay for it – to the tune of about £1500 a year for their subs!

MEMBERSHIP RETENTION

One thing we do know that is very important is retention of members. We have never had anyone from the Club who is willing to take on the specific role of Membership Manager despite several requests. We have now tasked Ray with this job in his role as Marketing and Membership Manager. We are taking advice from England Golf and this is going to be a high priority for the coming months. There is no point in recruiting lots of new members (and we have had a good year for that!) if we lose members as well. We have got to grow. Watch this space.

CLUB CONSTITUTION

As you know a small team comprising the 2 Captains, the President and myself have been working on updating this document. These updates were formally adopted at the AGM and are now published in the red file in the Clubhouse. The version on the website is still to be finally updated. We have also updated the structure charts regarding the structure of the Management Council, the Golf and Social Council and the Staff.

AGM MINUTES

May I thank all those who did come on a very warm evening to the AGM last month. The minutes are now complete and are in the file in the Clubhouse.

Well that’s all for now – I am hoping the next 6 months will be slightly easier and will feel more settled! The next major job to undertake is the updating of all contracts of employment and job descriptions for all our staff and that is not a small job!

Veronica Lyon Chairman Oundle Golf Club