Know your Golf Club's GM: Pam Maybery - Kloof Country Club

You have been in the industry for a very long time and at Kloof CC for the last 12 years, what made you choose this career?

It was purely by chance really. I was a member at Royal Durban Golf Club (RDGC) at the time and Garth Pearson asked me if I would like to work for him in his Pro Shop. After a few years, I was offered a job in the admin department at RDGC and as they say the rest is history.

The Club Managers Association of South Africa (CMASA) who offer the study opportunity of becoming a Certified Club Manager, gave me the opportunity to follow this as a worthy career path.

Has it always been golf for you?

Not at all, I only started playing golf at the age of 21 having been a netball girl in the early days and having completed my studies, was heading into a career in Marketing.

The golfing bug bit when I borrowed an uncle’s set of clubs and there began the journey.

There are two gentlemen I would especially like to thank, Steve Ashforth and Ray Roberts, the current Chairman and Vice Chairman of Kloof Country Club

Did you ever play or did you ever want to play on tour?

It certainly was a dream, but my dreadful swing put paid to that.

Who has been your biggest mentor?

Haven’t had a mentor as such but someone to aspire to without a doubt, is Paul Leishman the GM at Bryanston Country Club. He has all the attributes and skills that makes him one of the best General Manager’s in South Africa.

As a woman was it difficult for you to make inroads in this industry?

Initially yes, however I have been fortunate to work with Club Management Committees that have been very supportive and have only encouraged me all the way.

There are two gentlemen I would especially like to thank, Steve Ashforth and Ray Roberts, the current Chairman and Vice Chairman of Kloof Country Club. Its great to see over the past decade how many more women are working in Clubs and holding senior positions and showing success.

Describe a typical workday for you at Kloof CC?

There is no typical day…. and I’m sure if you ask any GM at any golf club you would get the same answer. The variety in a day is something I enjoy. I can start a day organising the clearing of a fallen tree, then deal with a Caddie having an asthma attack and end off by trying to find someone to relocate a hive of bees that decided to relocate to the putting green at the 4th.

The community at large are using Kloof Country Club as a place to meet family and friends

Has golf grown in your opinion over the last 18 months?

Absolutely. At KCC we have seen a significant increase in rounds since the first COVID19 lockdown was lifted. Rounds averaged 2,000 a month previously and now we consistently record over 3,000 rounds each month.

With consumers already being careful on how they spend their money these days, what is your plan to attract people to the Club?

The Club’s management committee have recognised that by improving the look and feel of the Club premises and creating an attractive venue, that not only members but the community at large are using Kloof Country Club as a place to meet family and friends.

The changes in the past 12 months have been enormously successful. The use of social media and connecting with our members and the community online also has had a positive impact on bringing people to the Club.

The golfing bug bit when I borrowed an uncle’s set of clubs and there began the journey

Slow play is one of the biggest problems in golf today, how do you manage slow play at Kloof CC?

We have adopted Ready Golf and have marshals on course encouraging play to speed up – slow play still remains a problem though.

The members of a golf club always come first. Do you agree with the phrase “The member is always right”?

Yes I do. And we instill these beliefs in the young staff when they start out. Members should feel that the Club is their home away from home.

We want them to enjoy every experience they have with us – from the friendly ‘Hello’ when they book in at the Pro Shop to the condition of the course to the hospitality in Halfway and in the Club Facilities after the game.

When I said ‘Yes I do’ earlier, there’s a BUT I needed to add. A large proportion of our golf rounds is due to support from visitors and we strive for these players to have the same experience as our members.

Does your position require you to be available on weekends, evenings, and holidays, and if so, does this place demands on your personal life?

Been doing this for over 30 years so it’s a way of life and anyone looking at making a career in this industry, needs to understand the demands of the job.

There is still time to enjoy life!!

What are your short & long term goals?

Short term:- fulfilling the KCC strategic plan – we are about halfway through the plan which focuses on maximum utilisation of the facilities and finding alternate income streams.

Long term:- i) As a mentor for CMASA, to assist young people in the industry to become certified club managers. ii) Be part of the team to take KCC to 2030 as one of the most successful clubs in KZN.

The use of social media and connecting with our members and the community online also has had a positive impact on bringing people to the Club

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

Playing golf and spending time with family and friends.

I’m a member of a property investment club and it is something I am interested in as an alternative to one’s traditional retirement planning arrangements.

My love of wildlife makes it essential to plan at least one trip to a game reserve every year.

Do you still get time to play?

In the past year I’ve been able to play more often. Have really enjoyed the camaraderie in being part of the KCC Ladies league team.

I’m 55 now and joined the ranks of Seniors golf – we recently played 36 holes at Selborne – what a wonderful organisation KZN Ladies Seniors Golf is and what a great group of women golfers.