GMA Journal (Winter 2023)

Golf Management Australia would like to sincerely thank all our valued partners for their ongoing support of GMA and our members.

MAJOR PARTNER of Golf Management Australia

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From the Chair

AARON MUIRHEAD

Greetings members and welcome to the Winter edition of the GMA Journal. In a busy and challenging year, one of the great joys of working in golf are the interactions with fellow GMA members and partners.

You may notice that the some of us on the GMA board have aged considerably. Truth be told we thought we’d better stop kidding ourselves and update our photos. This recently took place courtesy of David Brand’s camera when we held our board meeting in Adelaide.

Being in Adelaide was also a chance to see firsthand Australia’s first LIV golf event, held at The Grange Golf Club. And wasn’t it a phenomenal event. Congratulations to everyone involved, including The Grange's GM, Barry Linke, who kindly accepted the invitation to speak at the recent Schweppes VIC/SA state conference dinner. Two days later, the amazing news arrived that the tours will be merging. Will we get to see future LIV events? Who knows what’s next. It makes for an interesting story to follow. See the articles about LIV in this journal on pages 10 and 40.

It’s a little over a year since the 2022 GMA conference was held with ASTMA, which was brought to us by our major partner, Schweppes. We’re in the early stages of planning the next conference which will commence on Sunday, 16th June 2024 and be held at the Brisbane Exhibition and Convention Centre. Not that 2023 is quiet! There have been numerous GMA events across the country with golf days, state conferences, BMIs and business meetings.

It’s been wonderful to see members attending the various events and we thank our GMA staff who work tirelessly to put these events on. One element that we’re grappling with is no-shows. In our clubs, we know all about no-shows. When this

at Latrobe Golf Club in Melbourne, my second of the key four BMI programs. My first BMI experience was an online version during Covid, however, this one was far better to be able to mix with a great group of GMA members. It was a fantastic week of learning and is at the core of what GMA's vision is aboutdeveloping professional leaders in golf and club management.

Having seen our first Certified Club Manager graduates at the CMAA World Conference earlier this year, we know how much these people advocate for the BMI program. This certification is one to aspire, is great for all managers and staff, including GMs/CEOs, as the knowledge and experiences that you can add to group discussions is invaluable and we look forward to a steady stream of CCM graduates into the future.

With the upcoming BMI GM/CEO at Elanora Country Club in Sydney in the week commencing 17th July, it will take the program's numbers close to 140. Having seen our first Certified Club Manager graduates at the CMAA World Conference earlier this year, we know how much these people advocate for the BMI program. This certification is one to aspire. It's great for all managers and staff, including GMs/ CEOs, as the knowledge and experiences that you can add to group discussions is invaluable. We look forward to a steady stream of CCM graduates into the future. GMA has written to all state chairs to outline plans for One GMA. In the meantime, it is proposed a one-year service agreement will take us through to June 2024.

As we close out another financial GMA year, it is pleasing to report continual growth in our association. Our membership of Full, Regional and Provisional members has grown 5.5%, from 395 to 417. Even more pleasing is the continued rapid increase in women members, up 22.7% from 66 to 81. In two years, women’s membership has grown 55.7% and we thank everyone involved in supporting more women to join GMA and develop their careers in golf by partaking in GMA’s professional development and wellbeing opportunities.

happens at GMA events that are put on without cost to members, we’re collectively picking up the tab for your non-attendance. Whether it is a speaker cost that’s built into the day or the costs of putting on catering for a confirmed head count, the costs remain whether the member attends or not. We know things can pop up but we’ve had events where almost a third of those registered have not shown up, or cancelled at the last minute. So, if you are registered to attend an event and something has come up where you are unable to attend, please let your state manager know as soon as possible.

I was fortunate to be able to attended the BMI Leadership Principles in May

In the coming 12 months we’ll be working with stakeholders to arrive at what GMA will look like in the future under one national entity.

GMA is receiving early guidance from our honorary solicitor, Michael Horton, and we’ll be spending a planning day with the CEO of Associations Forum, John Peacock AM, in August. John is an experienced practitioner when it comes to governance structures in associations and we’ll be looking forward to tapping into his wisdom. Finally, I’d like to wish members and our corporate partners all the best for winter months ahead. Our corporate partners are integral to the success of GMA.

From the CEO

PAUL VARDY

What came out more than ever in the recent BMI held at Latrobe and the GMV/ GMASA state conference was how much we pick up from discussions. It will be the same at the upcoming events in July - the BMI GM/CEO, the GMANSW state conference and the GMAQ leadership summit.

Okay, enough of the acronyms, my head hurts. But it’s true. The secret sauce is to put in some relevant speaker topics and let the cross pollination of ideas do the rest. When this is done in a facilitated group way, where everyone is comfortable speaking up, it’s amazing the wisdom that starts flying around the room.

Members are using our GMA Connect forum to bring up things that are topical to them. At last check there were 584 discussion which puts us in the A category in terms of the website metrics on activity, value and reach from platform host, Higer Logic.

A shout out to the regular posters and an even bigger shout out to the regular repliers. I’m guessing there are a lot of members who have read and could reply but haven’t got their fingers typing. Do not succumb to imposter syndrome. Even if you’re not the expert, type something in.

It's great to see the continued growth in GMA as Aaron has covered in the Chair report. Thanks, members, for dutifully renewing your subscriptions.

It's this time of year when we see a lot of new memberships come into GMA and this is always exciting. Welcome to you all.

We’re forever saying farewell to members leaving the ranks. In a perfect world, we’d be able to acknowledge you better.

GMA is a great support for managers and if you’re leaving your club for whatever reason, it's always nice to receive a phone call from a fellow manager. The jobs can be pretty demanding at times and if anyone can empathise, it’s a colleague in the golf industry.

Members will receive a GMA survey in coming weeks. Ideas for questions have been brewing for some time. We ask that one GMA member from each club complete it (rather than multiple replies from the same club). We’re interested in members thoughts on not only One GMA, but many aspects of the golf industry, so that we can provide information back to you that may help you do your jobs. In the meantime, if you have a burning question you’d like the collective answer to via a GMA survey, feel welcome to shoot me an email or ring.

Finally, thanks to our corporate partners for your ongoing support - I really enjoy catching up with them at every opportunity, and we encourage all members to do the same when you have a chance.

In particular, we thank Dan Christie and his national team from Schweppes for being not only financial supporters, but in person partners in the industry. It’s a much appreciated partnership.

Golf Management Australia (GMA) is a national body representing the golf club management industry with a vision of developing professional leaders in golf and club management in Australia.

Golf Management Australia Ltd. PO Box 859 CROYDON VIC 3136

www.golfmanagement.com.au

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Aaron Muirhead (Chair) Oxley GC, QLD

Kieran Semple (Deputy Chair) The Coast GC, NSW

Gavin Burt Lake Karrinyup CC, WA

Brenden Ellam Castle Hill CC, NSW

Barbara Kelly Chirnside Park CC, VIC

Mathew Loughnane Kew GC, VIC

Mark Tan Royal Adelaide GC, SA

GMA TEAM

Paul Vardy Chief Executive Officer

Courtney Flores NSW Ops. Manager, Nat. Programs

Mike Orloff QLD Ops. Manager

Rod Haines VIC Ops. Manager, Nat. Finance

Jodie Alaban WA Ops. Manager

David Brand SA Ops. Manager, Nat. Media & Comms.

CLICK HERE FOR MEMBER ONLY GMA RESOURCES & LINKS:

• GMA Connect

• Member Directory

• Event Calendar

• Industry News

• Member Assistance Program

Contents may not be reproduced without written permission.

Views expressed in editorial contributions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this publication and it’s management.

Golf Management Australia

BOARD OF DIRECTORS & MANAGEMENT

COMING EVENTS

BMI 'GM/CEO'

Dates

Monday, 17th July to Friday, 21st July 2023

Venue

Elanora Country Club, Sydney

Cost

GMA Members - $2,250

Non-GMA Members* - $2,450 * conditions apply

Travel & Accommodation

Registrants shall be responsible for their own transport and accommodation.

GMA shall assist in coordinating group house sharing with AirBNB at nearby locations. Please contact Paul Vardy for assistance.

GMA, in partnership with Golf Australia and the Club Managers Association of America (CMAA), is excited to offer the Business Management Institute (BMI) 'GM/CEO' course in July.

The 5-day program covers core golf club leadership elements including:

• Working with club boards and committees

• Retirement and benefits

• Marketing principles

• Member participation strategies

• Law and club operations

• Leading relationships

• Building the key leadership team

• Communication strategies for member engagement

• Facility maintenance

• Applying the language of finance

• Golf operations for managers

• Golf course maintenance for managers

• Club issues round table

• Tech trends

• Case study

• Negotiation techniques

• Business writing

• Giving effective feedback

• Crisis communication strategies

BMI 'GM/CEO' is one of the four core BMI programs that are essential to a Certified Club Manager designation. The other core BMIs are 'Club Management', 'Leadership Principles' and 'Food & Beverage Management'.

The BMI Program offers the ultimate club manager professional development. It is delivered within an open learning environment, whereby shared experiences are explored within each workshop session. You don’t learn in theory, you learn in context with your club. It provides outstanding industry wide networking opportunities capable of providing career long support to all BMI participants.

The BMI Program is delivered to an agreed international certification standard, with the program aligned with CMAA and over thirty years of program evolution. This alignment with the CMAA will also provides Australian based BMI participants with complimentary education only registration at upcoming CMAA World Conferences for up to two years after the BMI is taken.

Click here for more information on the BMI Program.

Click here to register for BMI 'GM/CEO'

NSW STATE CONFERENCE COOGEE, NEW SOUTH WALES

Sunday, 23rd July to Tuesday, 25th July

ACCOMMODATION

Crowne Coogee

Arden Street, Coogee, New South Wales PROGRAM

Sunday: Opening Cocktail Party

Monday: Education Day. Dinner to follow.

Tuesday: AM Education Day. PM Golf Day at NSW Golf Club

View conference program

Click here to register

GMA Membership

What you get when you join GMA?

INDIVIDUAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Access to state based professional development and business meetings, national and state conferences, the world recognised Business Management Institute (BMI) training program in leadership and management skills. GMA provides a range of generous bursaries, discounts and rebates to professional development events in Australia and conferences abroad.

MEMBERSHIP SUPPORT & DEVELOPMENT

Access to member only tools and resources, member surveys and salary benchmarking, webinars and GMA Connect. GMA Connect is an amazing member only discussion thread allowing you to stay updated on issues and questions raised by managers for managers. Want to know from your peers about online voting, hole signage, refund policies, lifestyle memberships, house accounts, golf simulators, senior memberships and dozens of other topics? Become a member.

HEALTH, WELLBEING & BENEFITS

Connecting and networking with colleagues at golf days and social events is perhaps the biggest benefit of membership. GMA Member Directory allows you to know who’s running what clubs and how to connect with them. GMA’s Member Assistance Program offers free phone support for you, your immediate family and your staff. Members also have access to phone advice from GMA’s Honorary Solicitor on issues related to your personal circumstances such as employment issues.

STAKEHOLDER RELATIONSHIPS & INDUSTRY ADVOCACY

GMA advocates for the betterment of golf club management across the broader industry and golfing landscape. GMA contributes to industry initiatives such as Vision 2025, MyGolf and sits on the Australian Golf Industry Council where research is developed for the industry. GMA maintains close relationships with peak golf bodies, and has a range of corporate partners who are integral to the funding of GMA services..

What Membership options are available?

Andrea Watson retires from golf club management

After nearly thirty years in golf club management, spanning Peninsula CGC (now PK), Kingston Heath GC, Royal Melbourne GC and more recently, the past three and a half years at Yarra Yarra GC, Andrea Watson has decided its time to retire from being a GM in golf club management.

With a trip to Spain most immediately on the cards Andrea will no doubt put her skills to good use upon her return- perhaps in a less full-time capacity.

Andrea was acknowledged at a GMV golf day at Devil Bend in February and at a Sandbelt Managers lunch soon after.

It was nice to have a little farewell catch-up to thank her for her contribution to golf clubs and to her GMA colleagues.

A reminder about the FREE services included in your GMA membership

GMA MEMBER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

The GMA Member Assistance Program (MAP) is provided to GMA members and their immediate family through our service provider, Acacia EAP. Acacia EAP are a national independent service provider specialising in supporting people in dealing with personal or workrelated issues in a positive way.

GMA HONORARY SOLICITOR

Golf Management Australia offers its members the services of Michael Horton, from law firm RBHM Commercial Lawyers, in the role of Honorary Solicitor. The role is intended to enhance and assist General Managers/GMA members in delivering a more valuable service to their golf clubs and Boards.

RECENT INDUSTRY MOVEMENTS

GMV president, Mat Loughnane, recently announced his move from Kew to Yarra Yarra, replacing GM, Andrea Watson

Eagle Ridge has promoted Jason Glanz to GM, replacing the retiring Wayne Lucas

Ingrid Morrison has moved from Rosanna to Green Acres as their new financial controller.

Danny McGrath has departed Rosebud, with Garrett Hollenstein appointed to the GM position.

Matt Van Der Kraan has finished up at Beacon Hills, whilst Angela Chen has moved on from Yering Meadows.

Mark Lazenby has moved from a golf operations role at Latrobe to Beacon Hills as the new GM.

Sanctuary Lakes GM, Brian Hardy, has left the club and is looking at new opportunities.

Sean Honeywood has been appointed GM at Springwood, replacing Claire Bradley

Forster Tuncurry GM, David Kleeman, has retired, with Robin Taylor appointed as his replacement.

Rob Blain has taken over from Brendan Taylor at Eastlake.

Royal Sydney's Michael Solomons leaves the golf industry, but not clubs, taking on the GM role at The Australian Club in the CBD.

Belmont's Glenn Phillips leaves to take up the GM role at Strathfield.

Charlie McGill has left Maroochy River to take up a golf operations role at Mount Coolum.

Jane Bell has moved on from Brookwater. Headland has appointed Tim Gahan to the GM role, replacing the departing Matt Lang

NEW GMA MEMBERS

New South Wales

Mirjana Saju (Royal Military College); Lee Hilliar (Shortland Waters); Greg Roberts (Murray Downs); Kerry Edwards (Cootamundra); Simon Payne (Moree);

Andrea Grieve* (Oatlands); Greg Fields (Camden Lakeside);

Queensland

Andrew Kernke* (Mcleod);

Jason Melville* (Caloundra); Rudy Cheong* (Brisbane);

Ben Gebert* (Brookwater);

Trent Scaysbrook (Caboolture);

David Webber (Palmer Coolum);

South Australia

Mark Crowe* (The Vines of Reynella);

Kane Hyams* (Glenelg);

Victoria/Tasmania

Melanie Hartley* (Eagle Ridge);

Tim Angwin* (Spring Valley);

David Ridley* (Kew);

Lisa Zahra * (Lonsdale Links);

Garrett Hollenstein (Rosebud);

Amy Lennon* (Kingston Heath);

Mitchell Wilson* (Kingston Heath);

Russell Kelly (Shepparton);

Andrew Steen (Benalla);

Hamish Coulson* (13th Beach);

Leigh Deagan (Yering Meadows);

Western Australia

Ben Unbehaun (Nedlands);

Jules Bonner (Broome);

Danielle Harrison* (Joondalup);

Narelle Haynes (Pinjarra);

James Loughnane* (Cottesloe);

* Provisional members

(pictured l-r) John Stamp, Barb Kelly, Peter Busch, Paul Vardy and Andrea Watson

Adelaide a big hit for VIC/SA mini-conference

It might have been winter time, but Adelaide certainly delivered a warm and colourful welcome for the 2023 VIC/SA mini-conference in June.

Everything from Calcuttas, rainbows, under cover practice facilities, canapés, quality SA produce and matching wines, mini-golf, chipping competitions and quality educational content.

Victorian State Operations Manager, Rod Haines, reports on a very successful miniconference.

The 2023 GMA VIC/SA MiniConference kicked off with a networking event at Shanx Mini Golf @ Regency Park.

It was a great opportunity for members from both states to become acquainted, if not already, and enjoy some relaxed time together in a very welcoming and fun environment on a challenging mini golf layout.

It was a perfect Sunday evening under lights with a DJ pumping out popular tunes.

For those with a competitive streak, the Shanx layout provided plenty of challenges even for the most proficient putters in the field. Occasionally, you would hear a celebratory cheer as an unlikely hole in one was achieved. Congratulations to Anthony Masters from Barwon Heads Golf Club who successfully plotted his way around the course to triumphantly hoist the winners trophy.

It wouldn’t be a mini-conference without including a round of golf in the program, but to make things all

the more interesting, as always, those interest levels increase when there is a bit of side action. Bring on the Calcutta!

As registrations came in for the conference, golf groups were sorted and form guides created to figure out which groups were value for money. All in a bit of fun!

As is normally the case, the form guide provided little more than an opportunity for a laugh; results rarely follow the form guide.

Much fun was had in the auctioning process which was superbly handled by Mat Loughnane (Kew GC) and Andrew Taylor (Kingston Heath GC).

The evening wound up after many pizzas and refreshing beverages from our major partner, Schweppes.

It was a perfect way to begin the mini-conference in a relaxed environment with thanks to Peter Vlahandreas and Sudeera Botejue from GreenSpace Management at Shanx @ Regency Park.

After a fun start to the conference

GMA NEWS • VICTORIA & SOUTH AUSTRALIA

and an early night, everyone was eager to arrive at the recently refurbished Kooyonga GC. One of the key benefits of being at Kooyonga was to see the new golf practice and corporate business facilities. The pre-golf lunch was served in the new driving range centre which allowed the group to

experience the perfect warm up of hitting a bucket of balls under cover, putting across immaculate greens and chipping around a challenging short game area. The new facility is completely lit up at night for any members wanting to practice through the evening.

Kooyonga is rightly considered one of the best golf courses in South Australia and indeed, one of the finest facilities in Australia. We were privileged to play the course and then enjoy real South Australian hospitality as we enjoyed canapés in the business centre before enjoying a delicious three-course dinner.

Barry Linke from The Grange GC, who hosted the LIV golf tournament in April

Above: Delegates enjoying some mini-golf at Shanx @ Regency Park on the opening night of the VIC/SA mini-conference.

Below (left): Delegates gathering prior to the Calcutta with pizzas and Asahi/ Schweppes beverages on the menu.

Below: Schweppes' Dan Christie (middle), Darryn Conway (left) and Tim Colling (right) testing out their skills on the tough Shanx layout.

Bottom: GMV's Andrew Taylor & Christian Tanner taking control of the Calcutta for Monday's golf day.

A rainbow forms over the impressive new under cover practice facilities at Kooyonga during day two of the VIC/SA mini-conference.

2023, was guest speaker during dinner and showed many videos and photos of what went on in the lead up to, during and after the tournament - which was possibly the best golf tournament ever hosted in Australia in terms of attracting sellout crowds and festival style activations throughout the tournament. The interest in this event and hearing about it first-hand from Barry was the perfect way to finish the day's events.

Congratulations to the winning golf team of Mat Loughnane, James McCleery, Peter Earl and Sudeera Botejue for taking out the Gentsomes teams event and first prize in the Calcutta with a score of 99 points.

Many thanks to Brett Lewis, GM of Kooyonga, for hosting the day, and to all his staff for making the day so welcoming.

GMASA president, Mark Tan, opened day three by warmly welcoming everyone to Glenelg GC for the miniconference education day.

Fran Berry, from Alive and Kicking Solutions, was the facilitator of our education day.

The guiding principles of communication was the topic and Fran took the group on a journey of considering our own self awareness, and a very practical way of breaking down a problem to find a way to resolve it through a systematic process.

Fran shared that she was once a professional ballerina.

She opened the day's session with a short and simple routine of body movements of which no one could accurately copy, but over the course of the next 15 minutes, she demonstrated each move with the group and by the end, most of the group could repeat the routine without much trouble. The same can be done with most problems…breaking them down into parts and then working on them.

Everyone knows the old saying “practice makes perfect.” Fran says “no” – “practice makes permanent” and you may not be practicing the right things. So, the more senior you become in your organization, the more coaching you need to be a better version of who you aspire to be.

Fran continued with seven guiding principles of communication and when you are conscious of how a response can control a situation, the right response becomes a part of your ability: RESPONSE–ABILITY.

There were many little takeaways like this throughout the day and the group stayed focused and engaged all day.

Fran was an excellent communicator and gave everyone something to reflect upon for their life journey.

The day was broken up with a fun lunchtime activation out the front of Glenelg's clubhouse. A chipping competition from an elevated

gathering area down to the short game practice area. In front of 50 people, everyone was invited to play a 60 metre pitch shot to a flag for a nearest-the-pin competition.

Many average shots were played and our very own CEO, Paul Vardy, showed the crowd how to hit three shanks in a row. Well done for persevering Paul!

However, the best shot came from Sudeera Botejue who made the ball stop within a few centimetres of the hole. A fantastic shot! Sudeera was delighted to receive a Glenelg vest provided by the club and a bunch of Hoyts movie tickets provided by Dan Christie of Schweppes.

Following the day of formal education, Glenelg's GM, Robert Vincekovic CCM, took the group on a tour of the course where new green, bunker and tee complexes were being

Top left: The Grange GC's Barry Linke presents to delegates on his first-hand experience overseeing the LIV Golf Adelaide tournament held in April.

Below: Delegates enjoying a threecourse menu of SA produce and matching wines, whilst listening to Barry Linke's presentation on LIV Golf Adelaide.

Bottom: Winners of the golf day at Kooyonga - (l-r) Mat Loughnane, Peter Earl, Sudeera Botejue & James McCleery

Left: Alive & Kicking Solutions' Fran Berry taking delegates through a "short and simple" routine of body movements early in the day.

Below: Glenelg GC's Robert Vincekovic takes delegates on a tour of the club's course enhancement projects.

constructed. And then on a back-ofhouse clubhouse tour.

The group eased into the evening after a great day of education with canapés and drinks on the beautiful balcony overlooking the 1st and 18th holes.

And finally a wonderful three-course dinner with Adelaide's Triple M Rush Hour team of Greg Blewett, Bernie Vince and Andrew Jarman sharing stories and providing their opinions on world golf, cricket and football.

GMV president, Mat Loughnane, closed out the evening by thanking everyone for attending the event, all host venues, and a special thanks to Dan Christie, Tim Colling and Darryn Conway from Schweppes for being outstanding corporate partners for GMA.

Many thanks to Robert Vincekovic and his team at Glenelg GC for hosting an exceptional final day of the VIC/SA mini-conference.

JUSTIN THOMAS

CAMERON SMITH

WILL ZALATORIS

VIC/SA mini-conference in pictures

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GMA NEWS • SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Mount Osmond wins GMA Challenge trophy ... again!

Mount Osmond has claimed an amazing three-peat, taking out the this year's GMA Challenge golf day, proudly supported by Club Car, held at Royal Adelaide in May.

The winning pairing (main picture), consisting of newly minted GM, Damian Wrigley, and president, Nathan Gray, had a 4BBB score of 45 points to take out the trophy by five points from the host club team of Mark Tan (GM) and Tim Jordan (captain).

This year's win is the third-in-a-row for the Mount Osmond president, after Gray won the 2021 title with then GM, Mark Tan, and again in 2022 with interim GM, Andrew Gay (all pictured bottom left together).

It's an impressive feat that has not been matched in the 23-year history of the event, nor probably ever will again.

In third place on a countback with 39 points was the team from The Vines of Reynella - Brayden Wauchope (GM) and Michael Gibbie (captain). Also on 39 points was the South Lakes pairing of Chris Bailey (GM) and Jeff Faust (president). However, it was the pairing of ex-GM and SA Life member, Andrew Gay, and Transform Retail's Ross Haron (pictured above right), who stole the show, with an impressive betterball score of 49 points to take out the 4BBB event for non-Full GMA members.

The Stirling's team of Fraser Durham and Robert Elkson were ten points further back in a distant 2nd place.

As is always the case, thanks go to Mark and his team at Royal Adelaide who went above and beyond to host the event, with tasty egg & bacon rolls and coffee in the early morning pregolf, and a delicious 3-course lunch served up to the 30 attendees who participated in the day.

A special thanks also goes to Kevin Gates and Club Car for their ongoing support of the event, Schweppes and Lion for providing beverages all day, and Callaway for their generosity with the prizes.

DAVID BRAND • SA State Operations Manager

Where foodservice shops.

Creating the perfect dish starts with quality ingredients. That’s why Bidfood is Australia’s leading distributor to the foodservice industry and trusted by over 50,000 chefs.

From dry and chilled items, quality meats, seafood, liquor and more, Bidfood provides all the ingredients for success.

To find out more visit bidfood.com.au

Bidfood “Test Kitchen” a great classroom for GMAQ members

In April, 30 members attended a special Bidfood Educational Day at their Brisbane “Test Kitchen”.

Education is at the core of improving as managers in a very dynamic industry. Although many in attendance don’t run big food operations, or opt to outsource instead, having focused discussions around things that can improve their operation was a big hit.

Bidfood mega warehouse

We started the day with coffee and cakes to catch up with everyone before the tour of the Bidfood mega warehouse commenced. The warehouse, a setup with a -21 degree cool room, truly had to be experienced in person.

Feature presentation

The feature presenter of the day was David Finlayson, Culinary Director for Howard Smith Wharves

This popular establishment is an ever-evolving dining and entertainment destination that brings the diversity of food, music, and community together. Located beneath the Story Bridge in Brisbane, the waterfront home boasts 13 restaurants, cafes, bars, event spaces, and a hotel. David also has a couple of hundred chefs under his direction. David spoke about how they dealt with Covid lockdowns, reshaping the culture of their business, and continual investing in their team. They also embraced technology including QR code ordering (increased 30% sales), how to purchase better and improve the bottom-line profits. Even though his venues are way bigger than any of ours in the golf industry, there were still lessons to take away.

Bidfood Experts

The second session included some short presentations from Bidfood experts in the various categories of produce, wine, meat, and all about their high-quality premade

products that you simply warmed up ready to serve.

All can be organised via their online ordering and menu planning system with delivery available six days a week, including alcohol.

This may become an annual education day venue of choice as there was still so much more to cover.

BIDFOOD INFORMATION:

Food Service presentation

MyBidfood Menu Planner info

GMA NEWS • QUEENSLAND

MIKE ORLOFF • QLD State Operations Manager

Lion GMAQ Manager/ Pro Day taken out by Brisbane GC

Thank you!

The 2023 Lion GMAQ Manager/Pro 4BBB teams’

event was held on 9th May at Twin Waters Golf Club on the beautiful Sunshine Coast.

With a field of 56 players, including several of our GMA corporate partners in attendance, many players wore some element of yellow in their playing attire.

Congratulations to The Brisbane Golf Club's GM, Geoffrey Kuehner, and PGA Head Professional, Joe Janison, in taking out the 2023 GMAQ Manager/ Pro award with a solid showing. The event provided an excellent opportunity for education, networking with industry peers and enjoying the game that we are all so passionate

about, as well as supporting a very worthy cause by raising funds for the CHALLENGE foundation.

Industry presentations

GMAQ president, Gavin Lawrence, opened the day with an update on the various support and opportunities GMA provides to its members. Topics such as the BMI Program, the Member Assistance Program through Acacia EAP and GMA's online community, GMA Connect

We officially welcomed Acushnet to their first GMA sponsored day with local representative, Daniel Butler, in attendance.

Ross Haron from Transform Golf Shop Projects spent some time presenting on the recent trends they are seeing in golf retail.

Wrapping up the morning, QLD/NT PGA State Manager, Broc Greenhalgh, facilitated a discussion with the group on the role of a PGA Professional and the importance of having a strong relationship with their GM and club. With national trends starting to show a slight drop in participation, now is the time to work together to focus on member and player retention.

A big thanks to all the corporate partners in attendance for their continued support, especially Lion for the ongoing generosity for events like this. Also, thanks to Phil Laurie and Jacki Hayden from MiClub in assisting with scoring for the day - it makes things run so much smoother.

Raising Funds for #DOINGITFORJARROD

The group supported the CHALLENGE campaign with $1000 donated on the day via part of the entry fee and a raffle run on the day. Thank you to De Bortoli Wines (Wine packs) and Lion (Yeti esky) for their generous prizes, and for all the players chipping in a few more dollars to this great cause.

RESULTS Manager/Pro Event

Geoff Kuehner/Joe Janison (Brisbane GC)- 42 points

Scott Wagstaff/Angus Porter (Carbrook GC)- 41 points

Team/Partners Event

Shannon Ballis (Lion) and Josh Bellamy (Lion)- 46 points

Daniel Butler (Acushnet) & Broc Greenhalgh (PGA Australia)- 45 points

MIKE ORLOFF • QLD State Operations Manager

Golf Management Australia

Hillarys Yacht Club hosts WA Business Meeting & Networking

GMA WA members gathered at the prestigious Hillarys Yacht Club on the 6th April 2023 for their quarterly business meeting which was filled with knowledge sharing, networking opportunities, and camaraderie.

We were fortunate to have Brendon Allanby, WA PGA Membership Manager present to the group on the current industry trends and the services that the PGA provide. The presentation was informative and engaging and our gratitude goes to the PGA for their contribution.

Following the meeting and presentation, we had the pleasure of hosting a delightful networking event in partnership with De Bortoli wines. The venue's breathtaking ambiance

and stunning waterfront views created the perfect backdrop for fostering meaningful connections among our members and esteemed corporate partners.

During the networking event, members had the opportunity to connect with representatives from MiClub, Club Car, Callaway and Golf WA. The conversations were lively, insightful, and productive. It was inspiring to witness the collective enthusiasm and the exchange of ideas that unfolded throughout the event. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the GMA members who attended. Your presence and engagement contributed immensely to the success of the event. We extend special thanks to our event sponsors, De Bortoli Wines for their unwavering support and commitment to our organization.

Additionally, we would like to extend a special thanks to Brad Dawson, General Manager of Hillarys Yacht Club and a GMA WA Fellow, along with his exceptional team. Their hospitality, attention to detail, and outstanding service were instrumental in creating a welcoming and enjoyable environment for our event.

JODIE ALABAN • WA State Operations Manager

Fostering leadership growth and a positive workplace culture

JODIE ALABAN • WA State Operations Manager

We are delighted to share the highlights of GMAWA's professional development workshop hosted by Mount Lawley Golf Club on 23rd June.

It was an enriching and insightful event aimed at fostering leadership growth and promoting a positive workplace culture. The workshop featured a captivating presentation by Murray Joseph from the Workplace Culture Institute.

Murray Joseph, an accomplished leader and expert in workplace culture, took centre stage to share his remarkable journey through various phases of leadership. Drawing upon his own experiences and vast expertise, Murray emphasized the profound impact a positive and inclusive culture can have on an organization's success.

Throughout his presentation, Murray stressed the importance of leaders playing a pivotal role in creating an exciting environment where employees feel empowered to bring their best selves to work. He highlighted that by fostering a positive workplace culture, leaders can unlock the full potential of their teams, leading to enhanced productivity, engagement, and overall fulfilment.

The professional development workshop, sponsored by Toro, provided an invaluable platform for GMA members to gain insights from Murray Joseph's extensive knowledge and experiences.

We extend our heartfelt appreciation to Toro for their generous support and commitment to empowering our members through such meaningful events.

Tell us what you think about golf and the golf management issues that are on your mind.

GMA Connect was launched earlier this year and since then, we have seen new member threads appear every few days.

An ideal thread gives some context to a topic and then asks a question to get other’s perspectives or assistance. There’s so many topics that GMA members might like to raise and all members are invited to comment on threads with the normal decorum expected of a chat between managers.

With more contributions, the more valuable gold nuggets are shared, ideas are formed or problems solved. We may even start rewarding people with prizes soon for some of the great content.

And we regularly run polls on the site’s home page that we encourage you to contribute towards.

GMA members can go to connect.golfmanagement.com.au and use your GMA sign-in and password to join in the conversations.

Metro hosts GMs, Captains & Presidents Golf Day

The Metropolitan Golf Club hosted the GMV Managers, Captains & Presidents golf day, proudly supported by Club Car, in May.

With a full field of 128 players, 32 clubs were represented and we are very thankful for the support of the following corporate partners who attended:

• Club Car: Luke Roberts & Anthony Maronucci

• Schweppes: Dan Christie & Tim Colling

• Lion: Damian Mori

• De Bortoli Wines: Peter Ferrari

• MiClub: Chris Little & Mackenzie Buck

• Acushnet: Sash Petrovski

• SECOM: Sean Khoury

• Callaway: Marc Kennedy

• Northstar: Richard Berry

• Transform Retail: Ross Haron

Our guest speaker for the evening dinner was Mike Rolls, an All Abilities golfer who lost both legs from contracting meningococcal as an 18 year old.

Mike played off a handicap of three for the day and fared well, being in the 5th placed team.

Mike was interviewed by Michael Burgess and gave an interesting and thought-provoking account of how positive it has been to his mental health to be involved in golf.

GOLF RESULTS:

Winners (pictured above):

Spring Valley Golf Club

(Chris Poulton, Gordon Stewart, Cec Bailey, Sash Petrovski) - 98 points c/b

Runners Up:

Kingston Heath Golf Club

(Andrew Taylor, Nikki McClure, Andrew Chadwick, Ross Haron) - 98 points

Next:

Northern Golf Club

(Charles Potter, Michael Kleinig, Ray Bonnici, Sean Kourly)

ROD HAINES • VIC State Operations Manager

Vics receive coaching on how boardrooms work

Chirnside Park hosted GMV's first professional development meeting of 2023.

The meeting had a nice array of speakers and interesting content and was followed by a casual lunch and a competitive round of Mini Golf.

Andrew Romeo, from supporting partner Bidfood, welcomed attendees and did a brief presentation on the services offered.

Andrew's presentation can be viewed here.

Keynote speaker, Margot Foster AM, spent an hour or two facilitating an interactive conversation on how boardrooms work. From that group discussion there were some key takeaways:

• Optimal size of a Board: Nine was considered a good number on the basis that if two were away for a meeting then there is still a good number of people for rounded discussion and making decisions.

• Number of Meetings: In relation to Board meetings some organisations say in their governing rules “not fewer than 6 in a 12 month period”. This is a

good way to ensure that a minimum number over a period is determined, but not mandating a meeting every month.

• After an Annual General Meeting (AGM): It is good practice for a Board to do a reset whereby the Chairperson would remind the Board;

• This is how we are going to work together;

• This is how we are going to behave;

• This is what we expect of each other….everyone will attend meetings, everyone will turn up on time, everyone will read the board papers before the meeting, and any suggested changes to the previous minutes would be submitted prior to the meeting.

• Conflicts of interest: Board members who have a personal interest in the outcome of a decision may have a conflict of interest and should declare it before any further discussion. The declaration should be recorded formally. Ideally they would not be involved in discussion, but more importantly they should not cast a vote.

• Loose lips sink ships: Boards

will invariably discuss sensitive information that should not be discussed with the wider membership. On such topics, boards should agree on what can be shared or said and what cannot.

• Audio recordings of meetings: Once minutes are adopted and approved by the board, destroy other recordings.

• Strategic Plans: Five year plans may be considered a little long, but such plans should be somewhat fluent to be adaptable in changing landscapes. A strategic plan should be reviewed every 3 years.

Notes from Margot's presentation can be viewed here: The Boardroom Q&A Governance Notes

Also presenting to the group was Bill Papadimitriou, who reported back to the group on his recent attendance at the Japan Golf Fair.

Bill's presentation can be viewed here.

Lucas Jackson, from Pay As You Golf, also made a short presentation on the services offered through their company.

Lucas' presentation can be viewed here.

ROD HAINES • VIC State Operations Manager

Members learn from Royal Sydney's Michael Solomons at NSW Business Meeting

GMANSW held their first business meeting of the year and first event since the opening event at Mollymook on Wednesday, 3rd May at the Cumberland Golf and Country Club.

Newly Certified Club Manager (CCM), Andrew Laplain, hosted twenty club managers and industry partners for an opportunity to hear Royal Sydney Golf Club (RSGC) general manager, Michael Solomons, update the group on progress with the redevelopment of the esteemed Sydney course.

When Michael joined RSGC as general manager in 2017 the planning for the course redevelopment was already underway, but nobody could have anticipated what lay ahead for the club with planning and council approvals only achieved in December 2022.

Michael provided attendees with a copy of the club's Championship course plan information booklet and spoke to the history of the club and evolution of the course over 100 years on the present site. With no strong architectural reference point, the course developed, adapted and accommodated change.

Renowned golf course architect Alister MacKenzie had input into the course in 1926 with many of his features retained until the 1980s. In the 1940s, more than 1,000 Paperbark trees were planted and became a well-established feature on the site. In the 1990s, Thomson Wolveridge & Associates guided a refurbishment before Ross Watson oversaw the reconstruction of the greens in 2003 followed by the bunkering in 2011. With the essential layout unchanged since 1922, the successive works delivered a disparate array of stylistic

ideas. Compounded by issues such as poor drainage, ageing irrigation system (remnants of three systems beneath the turf), it became time to act.

A worldwide search identified Gil Hanse (2016 Olympic golf course designer) and landscape architect Harley Kruse to deliver a contemporary design and sustainable landscape plan to be enjoyed golfers and non-golfers alike.

RSGC’s plans soon gained the attention of the public and local residents for whom the course is the backyard they look over from their elevated streets of Bellevue Hill and surrounds. Not even the extraordinarily well-prepared submissions had prepared the club for the level of scrutiny which followed.

Communication of the club’s motivations and vision now became crucial and blessed with a most capable in-house team, the club increased their engagement both internally and externally using 36 project specific publications, short videos (busy people are more likely to watch than read) and virtual reality goggles, and a public facing website to disseminate information.

RSGC maintains 6,000 members of which about 1,500 are golfing members. Notwithstanding that the Championship course is integral to the club’s standing and reputation, other members’ facilities such as new hard courts for tennis were also promoted. The success of the club’s communications strategy is evident by having achieved an 80% initial approval vote in 2019 followed by the more recent 83% approval vote in 2023.

Whilst changes have been required around certain aspects of the plan, the essence of the course design prepared

by Gil Hanse remains unchanged and will deliver:

• A contemporary course that innovatively unlocks the potential of the course footprint and topography;

• A memorable and enjoyable golf experience;

• One of the most important sanctuaries of native flora and fauna;

• A far more sustainable facility both environmentally and financially. The most obvious benefits include:

• A 20% saving (70 megalitres) of water usage annually;

• An increase from 30 native species to over 100;

• A reintroduction of native heathland that reduces the area of turf under maintenance with a commensurate reduction in chemical usage;

• To achieve this, 250,000 plants will be planted in the first year with a further 250,000 plantings to follow in years 2 and 3.

Completion of the works is planned to take 14 months with the Championship course to be closed for play. Members

TONY RODGERS • Kogarah GC General Manager, GMANSW Board Member

Royal Sydney GM, Michael Solomons

will have access to the Centenary course and negotiations are underway with adjacent Woollahra. Additionally, members will have access to other Sydney clubs and to special purpose golf tours domestically and overseas.

Following on, attendees were introduced to GMA corporate partners Mark and David High from First Choice Services.

David introduced the company and their desire to expand their relationship with the golf clubs throughout Australia.

First Choice Services presents as a one-stop shop for facilities management bringing all aspects of facilities’ maintenance under one banner.

Operating extensively in the healthcare, wellness/fitness, commercial building, sports stadium and hospitality spaces, First Choice Services can service the needs for:

• General cleaning;

• Carpet cleaning;

• Laundry;

• General maintenance, plumbing and electrical (including test and tag);

• Pool cleaning;

• Window and gutter cleaning;

• Glass repair;

• Fire services;

• Pest control;

• And much more.

Members are encouraged to contact First Choice Services for an obligation free assessment of your facility. More details on First Choice Services are available on page 51 of this journal. Finally, Manan Mahant and Matthew Robertson from long term GMA corporate partners, De Bortoli Wines, provided a history of the De Bortoli family in Australia and presented the wines paired with the wonderful and plentiful Chinese banquet presented by Cumberland Golf and Country Club caterers.

Thanks to all who attended, Andrew and the Cumberland Golf and Country Club, Michael, Mark, David, Manan and Matthew for an enjoyable day.

AS THE DAY EVOLVES, EVOLVE WITH IT.

First Choice Services' National Sales Manager, David High

Mona Vale goes back to back at GMs, Pros & Supers event

GMA NSW held the General Managers, Golf Professionals and Superintendents Golf Day at Monash Golf Club on Thursday 1st June 2023

The weather was perfect and the golf course looked immaculate for the annual golf day, played at the prestigious Monash Country Club,

overlooking the northern beaches of Sydney.

The picturesque golf course is set within the natural bush of Sydney and was the perfect destination for the event. Monash is renowned for their fast-paced greens and they did not disappoint with many a tale of woe being told in the bar after the game.

General Managers play for the Victoria Cup, which dates back over 80 years, when the

states ran their own associations, and the Victorian Division presented NSW with the Cup. NSW decided to make it an annual event and present it to the best General Manager on the day when the three key facets of the club come together.

The 2023 title went to Andy Hugill from Mona Vale Golf Club, with an exceptional 37 points off a handicap of two.

GMA NEWS • NEW SOUTH WALES

CAMERON HARVEY • Muirfield GC General Manager, GMANSW Board Member

Andy Hugill (right), with Cameron Harvey

Richard Berry (left), with Cameron Harvey

The Bob Matheson Perpetual Trophy remembers Bob, who was on the NSW committee for a long time - from 19731975 and from 1976-1994 - including as President prior to his retirement. Bob was made a Life member for his services to our golf industry. As such, we remember Bob Matheson with a trophy that brings the key roles of the Club together as a team.

The 2023 title, based on the best aggregate score from the GM, Professional & Superintendent, went to Mona Vale GC with 101 points, from Beverley Park GC on 96 points. A fine team effort by Mona Vale, with all players (Andy Hugill, Nick Taplin & Gerard Kellymain picture) posting solid scores. This is a back-to-back win for Mona Vale, having won in 2022.

The best corporate partner score was from Richard Berry from Northstar, while Paul Davis (Beverley Park) took out the best professional score and Peter Watts (Muirfield) won the best superintendent title.

At the presentations, special mention was made of David Kleeman (ForsterTuncurry), who was retiring in July. We wish David all the best and thank him for being a regular contributor and attendee at GMA events.

A special thanks to John Harrison and the Monash board and team for hosting the event and for presenting the course in superb condition.

Thanks also to Schweppes, De Bortoli Wines and Lion for providing refreshments for the day, and to Callaway for the prizes.

A special thanks also to our state operations manager, Courtney Flores, for administering the day.

BMI PROGRAM

BMI Leadership Principles

Who are you and who’s the most famous person you have ever met? It’s not every day you’re given licence to unashamedly drop the name of a famous person met but this was the icebreaker to tick off BMI Leadership Principles.

And it did impress. Everyone seems to have an amazing short story or incident – if you’d only ask! For every Kate Winslet receiving a golf lesson, there was a matching random meeting of Leonardo DiCaprio. The names rolled on and on. One person had even met Joe Biden AND Donald Trump. That’s a lot for anyone to process.

This was the second time GMA has run the BMI Leadership Principles course, the last being in 2019. Held at Latrobe Golf Club in the week of 15th May, 28 participants from all over Australia came together for a week of learning and exchanging of knowledge. On display were the diverse range of roles in large modern day clubs; GMs,

assistant GMs, operations managers, house and F&B managers, accountants and finance managers, membership managers, communications managers, women’s golf coordinators. We even had GMA’s chair, Aaron Muirhead, amongst some quite senior GMs around the country. With so many ingredients to choose from, composing high quality case study groups was fun. The recipe

needed a couple of GMs, a hospitality person of some sort, a sprig of finance, a pinch of golf know-how and a sprinkle of whatever extra skills we can round off the group, with a mix of women and men and local produce from different states and regions. We knew what would be cooked up would be good; maybe worthy of a Michelin Star or two.

When groups read the 15-page case study with accompanying finances for the fictitious golf club, it takes on a

PAUL VARDY • CEO, Golf Management Australia

The BMI Leadership Principles group from left: Ingrid Morrison, Paul Vardy, James McCleery, Darren Eckhardt, David Wren, Steph Wearne, Lloyd Miller, Jaclyn Genovese, Inoka Gamage, Geoff Dickson, Dayle Marshall, Adam Bryant, Aaron Muirhead, Narell Alford, Nathan Sharrock, Nigel Cameron, Olivia Kline, Damien Todorovic, Craig Ridge, Andres Michelsen, Craig Stickling, Lisa Kelly, Adian Boyle, Aason Gaulke, Jason Atkins, Hanna Mead, Joe Sinnott, Emma Twartz, Simon Andrew and Brian Andora.

Markus Eschmann takes the group though Lumina Leader

kinder version of Survivor from reality TV. Yips Golf Club is, after all, set-up to be everyone’s nightmare. As the new GM, you realise you’ve walked into a hornet’s nest of politics, staff problems, financial issues, strategy failures, golf shop and hospitality problems.

Your own experience and that of your group are needed to solve one key area of the club. As one GM said when reading the case study, “This is eerily like my club.” In responding to the case study and developing a presentation for Friday, participants are required to demonstrate their learnings from the week of topics and facilitated discussions.

Throughout the week, speakers included Dr Geoff Dickson from Latrobe University on The Nature of Leadership and Executive Presence, Richard Comerford on Finance and Accounting, Jodie Willmer from Conscious Governance on Strategic Leadership, Governance and ethics,

Markus Eschmann who’s now a Lumina practitioner presenting on Lumina Leader, Dr Jason Koenigsfeld from CMAA on Power Politics, Paul Mullarvey from Victor Insurance on risk, Priya Khanna from Golf Australia on balanced scorecard and The Australian Golf Strategy and Andrew Mountford on Governance simulation exercises as well as myself on golf participation trends and a facilitated discussion on technology.

Giving us a break from the hard work was a Monday lunchtime nature walk via the Yarra River and Green Acres and Kew golf clubs, nine holes of golf on Wednesday on Latrobe’s par three course, a wine tasting of new varietals with thanks to Peter Ferrari and Mia Fell from our partner De Bortoli Wines and an afternoon spent at the Bidfood Sales and Innovation Hub in Collingwood. Special thanks to Carmen Garcia, Andrew Romeo and Tierre Betts for hosting us there.

It was a fantastic group who made the week full of insights and congratulations go to all participants.

Of the 28, 17 were first time BMI participants and two, Craig Ridge and Simon Andrew, were completing their fourth BMI. The next step for these chaps is the BMI Review Week and exam for the CCM.

Finally, big thanks to Bill Papadimitriou and his helpful team at Latrobe for being great hosts.

Peter and Mia take us through some new and innovative Debortoli wines

(left) Social night in Collingwood at Bidfood's Sales & Innovation Hub, which was followed by dinner at the Stomping Ground Brewery around the corner.

(below) Emma gives the Yips Golf Club board the bad news on forecasts

(above top) Dayle, Craig and Nigel do a governance simulator exercise.

(above middle) Craig Stickling on the Par 3 course

(above bottom) Jodie Willmer on ethics

DE BORTOLI HEATHCOTE HANDCRAFTED SHIRAZ

Not only is this range from the wonderful region of Heathcote, the wines are purposefully chosen, and handcrafted by Chief Winemaker, Steve Webber. A selected small parcel of Shiraz was chosen to reflect the earthen nature of the Heathcote rich red cambian soils and an ability to mature gracefully.

REGION: Heathcote.

VINTAGE: 2020.

VINEYARD:

A selection of small vineyard parcels from Heathcote Ridge, Freemans Bridge, Rathjen and Willoughby Bridge.

SEASON:

Excellent growing season, a mild and dry autumn, with lots of tannin development.

TASTING NOTE:

Dark in colour with a garnet edge. This wine has a haunting, ethereal and deeply scented forest aroma. You will experience dense mouth filling flavours, with dark fruits. Earthen and compelling.

WINEMAKING:

Fruit is picked, sorted and placed in open fermenters and vats. Some whole bunch inclusion for extra perfume and charm. Plots fermented and pressed separately. Blending after 9 months of maturation in French oak casks.

For pricing and supply, please email peter_ferrari@debortoli.com.au

Hostplus is a top-performing super fund that puts members first. That’s why we’re proud to have been named the 2023 Fund of the Year by third-party ratings agency SuperRatings. Judged across three areas: strong performance, competitive fees, and an ongoing focus on members, we’re thrilled to receive this recognition.

HOSTPLUS. THE OFFICIAL SUPERANUATION PARTNER OF GOLF MANAGEMENT AUSTRALIA.

The rating is issued by SuperRatings Pty Ltd ABN 95 100 192 283 AFSL 311880 (SuperRatings). Ratings are general advice only and have been prepared without taking account of your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider your personal circumstances, read the product disclosure statement and seek independent financial advice before investing. The rating and awards are not recommendation to purchase, sell or hold any product and are only one factor to be taken into account when choosing a super fund. Past performance information is not indicative of future performance. Ratings are subject to change without notice and SuperRatings assumes no obligation to update. SuperRatings uses objective criteria and receives a fee for publishing awards. Visit www.lonsec.com.au/superfund/ratings-and-awards/ for ratings information and to access the full report. © 2022 SuperRatings. All rights reserved. General advice only. Consider the relevant Hostplus PDS and TMD at hostplus.com.au and your objectives, financial situation and needs, which have not been accounted for. Awards and ratings are only one factor to consider. Host-Plus Pty Limited ABN 79 008 634 704, AFSL 244392 trustee for Hostplus Superannuation Fund, ABN 68 657 495 890. HP2391

club management • www.golfmanagement.com.au

MyGolf registrations surpass record levels for girls

Girls’ registrations in Golf Australia’s MyGolf participation programs continue to hit record levels as the overall numbers for female golfers enjoying the sport also continue to surge.

April was designated as MyGolf Girls Month, a Golf Australia initiative aimed at lifting the numbers of girls participating in golf.

The latest count for girls registrations in MyGolf for 2022-23 sits at 9,59, a big increase on last year’s full-year total of 8306.

Golf Australia’s General Manager Golf Participation, David Gallichio, said the MyGolf figures in conjunction with the latest data from the FY22 GA Participation Report, released recently, were highly encouraging.

“It (April) was the biggest month we’ve ever had for MyGolf and MyGolf Girls,” said Gallichio.

“More holistically, what we’re seeing now is we’ve got higher participation by girls within the MyGolf program than we’ve ever had. When we started out in 2014, it was around 25%, and

we had an intent to bring that to 30% within five years, and right now we’re at 31.5%.

“While it’s nice to see that happen, the percentage is one thing, but the raw numbers are up as well.

“By the end of April we were already well beyond the 2022 figure. It’s looking like a 20% increase for girls over the 12 months which is excellent.”

April’s campaign was picked up by 123 facilities around the country.

Gallichio pointed to highlights of the recently-released national Participation Report including:

• A 25% increase in girls’ participation within the MyGolf program

• 65% growth in the Get Into Golf program, with 84% of participants being women

• A 4% increase in women and girls’ club membership

• A 10.1% increase in junior girls’ club membership

Beyond the MyGolf data, he added that other programs were also seeing big increases in girls’ participation, in particular the Australian Golf Foundation scholarships which have had almost 1000 participants and is growing at 35%.

Within the AGF scholarship program, a retention rate of 89% of participants as club members in the following year is exciting for the game.

He also expressed excitement about GA’s new TeeMates golf community, which allows youth to engage with the game at a low price.

“They’re absolutely brilliant numbers, and we’re very pleased that our key junior participation initiatives for girls are on a strong upward growth trajectory,” he said.

“I think the reality is that the raw numbers demonstrate a story that golf is becoming a sport that more girls can see themselves playing, and their parents can see themselves playing.

“We’ve got a long way to go to show that golf is a truly equal sport and a welcoming sport for girls and women, but at the same time it can only be helpful if you’re producing lots of new, young girls to the sport because they will bring their own perspective to the sport.

“We will need to move with them. We need to double down, keep investing and change the face of the sport.’’

www.golf.org.au

Women and Girls in Golf Careers Showcase

Increasing the presence of women in key decision-making positions across the business of golf and the pathways that lead to these roles, is the key driver behind Golf Australia’s Women and Girls in Golf Careers Showcase.

Australian Golf’s national strategy explicitly calls out golf as a sport for everyone. However, for the perception of golf to shift from a sport for the privileged few to one in which we can all work and play in, golf recognised the need to evolve leadership and culture across its community. All careers within golf are open to women, as they are to men, but because the number of

women in certain roles, such as being a golf club manager, greenskeeper or superintendent, media commentator or PGA professional, to name a few, it was imperative the initiative ‘showcased’ women working in these roles. Teenage girls and women can more easily ‘see what they can be’ through the Women and Girls in Golf Careers Showcase.

Initially run across metropolitan and regional Victoria as a pilot, multiple showcases are now scheduled across the country. Each event highlights a handful of career streams through a panel consisting women in a variety of golf careers, as well as an ‘Active Ally’ who is active in encouraging and supporting women and girls into

golf. Panelists share their journey into golf, what inspired them to pursue their career, what they love about it, difficulties they have successfully navigated and how, and what words of advice they would give to someone wanting to follow in their footsteps. Over four million women and girls have either indicated they want to play golf or have already begun their journey via mini-golf, indoor simulators, or the driving range, yet they are yet to step foot on a golf course. This represents one third of the Australian population of women and girls. Golf is booming and is getting bigger. There is a career in golf for everyone.

Details and dates of every showcase around the country will be available on the Golf Australia website

TIFFANY CHERRY • Head of Women & Girls Engagement, Golf Australia

Keperra gets a makeover with pitch 'n putt

An engaging six-hole pitchand-putt layout at Keperra Country Golf Club shows how strongly the Brisbane club has been revived after last year’s floods.

When the additional offering opens on Friday, it will be a salute to the smart use of space, design and how to appeal to all levels of golfer.

Keperra Country Golf Club General Manager Gavin Lawrence is an industry veteran and re-imagined something different for the club’s tired practice fairway.

The big advantage immediately was the narrow, flat, 200-metre-long area being in a prime location as you drive through the gates of the popular club. Eyes now pop when members and visitors see mounded greens, flags, raised tee blocks and a range of holes from 40m to 60m.

Best of all, the whole process took just six months after course designer David Burrup detailed the layout.

“We’re not calling it a short course. It’s a more beneficial practice area or new-to-golf area that is far more interactive with the tees and targets,” Lawrence said.

“It’s still our practice fairway that will serve members but with far better application for our junior program and beginners.

“It completely changes impressions when you drive through the club’s gates.”

Head greenkeeper Keith Johnson and his crew did a fine job bringing the greens and sloped features to life and adding definition between the minifairways and light rough.

“Our practice fairway was never the best in Brisbane because we are challenged by space in this area. It had a rough, flat floor plan with a few flags but we now have genuine greens

and it’s far better for players of all standards,” Lawrence added.

The prospect of small corporate groups enjoying a pitch-and-putt afternoon is another use at the home club of former PGA Tour regular John Senden.

How the club has bounced back is heartening after the severe damage caused by the major Brisbane flood of February, 2022 that inundated holes and tore through the green of the short par three eighth.

The eighth green is in play but with Band-Aids before a rebuild gets underway.

The bonus to the practice fairway is that one full-sized bunkered green has been created so a spare hole, of around 90m, can be utilised when the eighth is being rebuilt.

The course is in fine shape to host the annual Keperra Bowl for top amateurs in October. Marc Leishman, Elvis Smylie, Anthony Quayle and Matt Griffin are among the past winners while Justice Bosio won last year’s women’s title.

Keperra Golf and Country Club General Manager Gavin Lawrence shows off the new pitch-and-putt practice fairway.

Photo: Ian Thurecht

Queensland clubs win on grants

Enhancing the golf experience all year round for members and guests is at the heart of infrastructure grants received by three Queensland golf clubs.

The first round of the Queensland Government’s Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport Minor Infrastructure Program saw Bulimba Golf Club receive $250,000, Wynnum Golf Club $147,562 and Mossman Golf Club in North Queensland $129,212.

All three projects will deliver significant improvements to the playing experience and provide greater accessibility for those who play in golf carts.

Wynnum and Mossman will both use their funding to go towards the expansion and upgrade of cart paths, particularly important at Mossman where an average of 1,833mm of

rain falls in the wet season between November and May.

“After the wet season we’ve had, it’ll be fantastic to be able to install concrete cart paths on our composite course,” said Mossman Golf Club Manager Ralf Middel, Mossman among the towns to receive between 250300mm in a single day in February this year.

“This will enable us to put carts out more often and get more golfers out on the golf course.”

Wynnum Golf Club received funding of $147,562 towards a total project cost of $187,562 that will result in not only improvements and expansion of the existing golf cart paths but an upgrade of the network of walking paths throughout the course.

This will improve accessibility for community and club members to play and enjoy their golf in comfort and safety.

“The club is delighted to be working

with DTIS and our construction colleagues at Atlas Golf Services to improve the amenity and accessibility of the golf course to members and the wider community,” said Gavin Moule, Course Committee Chair at Wynnum Golf Club.

“Quality pathing means more golfers safely and comfortably enjoying the great game of golf, whether walking or riding in electric carts and vehicles.

“This particular project will see new paths installed on heavy wear and travel areas on more than five holes and key junctions throughout the course.”

Operated by The Queensland Sporting Club Incorporated, Bulimba Golf Club is a nine-hole par-3 course on the south side of the Brisbane River less than 20 minutes from the centre of the city.

Their grant for $250,000 will go towards the replacement of an end-oflife irrigation system that will greatly improve the water efficiency needed to maintain the golf course.

TONY WEBECK • Golf Australia website

Wynnum Golf Club is upgrading paths after a grant of nearly $150,000

LIV Golf: will we get to see this again?

One of the most amazing golf stories of all time has been the disruption to professional tournament golf caused by LIV Golf.

With every passing month and lawsuit, the plot has been thickening with no-one knowing what will happen next and what fate awaits the main characters.

Depending on your perspective, there’s as many villains as heroes and enough espionage to write a Bond film, as our very own CEO, Paul Vardy, ponders.

The Grange GC, the 12th watering hole, Adelaide on a sunny Sunday in April, was quite the scene.

Amongst a heaving crowd of mostly beer drinking males in their 20s and 30s was a DJ, dancing girls, shirts swirling above a fat comedian’s torso, and regular shoeys. Golf But Louder was living up to the hype and the crowds were loving it.

Enter Chase Koepka, GoldenEye, who out of the blue sinks a hole-in-one causing gravity to suspend itself while everyone’s drinks somehow project themselves, like missiles during the nuclear apocalypse, into the sky.

Within seconds, gravity resumes its role and it’s Skyfall. Plastic, aluminium and liquids are raining down all over the tee, fairway and green – a herd mentality and mayhem of the highest order. In that moment, LIV had truly arrived. GOLF BUT LOUDER indeed!

As the televised scenes transcended the world, it was quite the Spectre for the golf traditionalists but would it have scared The Living Daylights out of the PGA Tour?

They, like many, would have been wondering if this was just a once off and whether the tour was even a financially sustainable product?

It was in stark contrast to LIV scenes elsewhere. The World Was Not

Enough, but it certainly seems to be in Australia.

The South Australian government and the local economy had reason to be very happy. They’d branded South Australia as an absolute destination and certainly made money. The neighbouring Adelaide golf clubs did nicely through visitor traffic.

The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) that owns the tour and its boss, Yasir Al-Rumauyyan, aka Diamonds Are Forever, probably lost a bit, but that would be hardly unexpected in the short term given the massive sign on fees for players.

As an event and its longer-term objectives, for PIF, it probably ticked every box. And making a profit was probably not a box to be ticked.

The feeling in the crowd in Adelaide that week was just that and all its music, mayhem and fan activation would be much bigger and better next time around. The formula has been set and everyone will be bringing their mates next time.

More stands would be needed. There would be no cheap early ticket releases and, hotels and flights, once dates are released, would no doubt have a pretty premium attached to their regular pricing.

On an absolute winner, the South

Australian government, with A View to a Kill, announced a four-year deal before the other states even had their boots on.

But, in another story twist, fast forward to early June and the PGA Tour Commissioner and Quantum of Solace, Jay Monahan, revealed what had been really going on behind closed doors.

Disrupting the disruptors, Monahan announced the staggering news of a planned merger of the PGA Tour, the DP World Tour and the PIF, blindsiding players, sponsors, broadcasters and for that matter, Greg Norman.

Loyal PGA Tour players were rightly shocked by Her 'Monahan's' Secret Service. That the tour commissioner could do such a thing after all that had been said? He’d slipped them the mickey!

A few weeks later and with the

wording of the five-page framework agreement between the tours and PIF now in circulation. No longer, For Your Eyes Only , Monahan's document and the (not!) creatively named company "NewCo" will be reviewed by Congress in July.

Yet with these details, it only becomes marginally clearer.

The initial shock turned to anger and retribution on Jay Monahan before things settled down to rampant speculation as to what it will all mean.

For Jay, You Only Live Twice Closer to home, questions are now being asked. Will Australia get to see more of these regular events? Will LIV continue in 2024?

Surely, with the level of enthusiasm for LIV in Australia, on top of the record of Presidents Cups, this should give reason for "NewCo" to commit to an event or two every year in Australia. The wording in the framework agreement, after all, references “growing and promoting the game of golf globally” and “the game worldwide.”

But it will be up to "NewCo", with its majority PGA Tour representation, to decide all that.

Whilst team golf may remain as an attractive product in some form or another, it’s unclear whether LIV team golf will stay.

Perhaps a hint lies in the wording which says “NewCo will undertake a full and objective empirical data-driven evaluation of LIV and it's prospects and potential.” This suggests that Jay has given himself A License To Kill People support what they help to

create and Jay Monahan didn’t create LIV, and the person who brought it to life is not mentioned in too many dispatches, so there may not be much love going LIV’s way. Rather than LIV, it could be 'LIV' and Let Die

But who knows?

Despite comments from some quarters that LIV is all systems go in 2024, what role does Greg Norman have in all this? Working under Jay, it doesn’t seem likely.

Under the "NewCo" entity, there will be a long-term investment from PIF’s supposed US$650 billion pool of money.

If Jay Monahan survives all this, he’ll certainly be The Man With The Golden Gun and perhaps the newest saying in golf may simply be MONEY, BUT LOUDER!

Making Decisions Easy - Understanding the Ethical Pyramid

There’s nothing “ivory tower” about ethics:

People are often put off when the term “ethics” is bandied about. Seems that droning professors, morgue-like libraries and dusty books come to mind at the very mention of the word. Or ---groan---they think of politics or boxing or professional wrestling and make a snap judgment about the people or the business or the decision at hand. Not a very practical business, this ethics business. Or so they might have you believe-------

But I beg to differ with all of that. Ethics is the most practical, one might even say the most useful of topics to study, to understand and to incorporate into one’s daily life on both the personal and the professional levels. The reason is simple: ethics are about decisions---making them quick, making them easy, making them defensible. People with a strong ethical foundation rarely seem confused when encountering a “go-no go” decision. And they can explain why they did what they did and they tend to make future decisions which are consistent with those decisions. They can be trusted to act according to those principles in the future. They act without reference to polls and people follow them since they pretty much know where they’re going. Others call them ethical. And being ethical is good for you---it lowers stress, projects confidence, motivates others.

In short, ethics are good for your personal well-being and your professional success. Join me for a short “ethical journey” and see how applicable the abstract is to the decisions you make each and every day.

Learning the language:

Before you can communicate with others, you need to have a common language with which to communicate. Agreement on a couple of basic ideas will make your study of the ethical pyramid more interesting and entertaining.

Ethics

Ethics are the ideas which underpin decision making. Ethics should never be confused with morality since morality is about absolutes applicable anywhere while ethics, for better or worse, are always “local” and never absolute. By way of example, people everywhere agree that murder is bad---hence, a transcendent moral principle. In contrast, taking bribes is considered acceptable in some societies whereas doing so is condemned in others---clearly an ethical issue. Therefore it’s important to understand that the “local ethics” of the stakeholders are always “in play” when making a decision.

The Ethical Pyramid

Every decision is the end result of a complex series of decisions called “the ethical pyramid.” For most, this pyramid is a sub-conscious structure built up by parents, schooling, society, industry

and the specific locale within which one operates. Fundamental concepts underpin the pyramid with each successive “floor” involving a progressively more specific ethical environment. The first floor of that pyramid involves “ethical bricks,” that is, words that can be used for further ethical assemblies. The second floor has to do, at least in the United States, with “free market ethics,” that is concepts fundamental to operating in a free society. The third floor involves “personal- professional ethics” which are the specific guidelines the individual decision maker uses to evaluate decisions in light of established personal needs. The fourth floor of the Ethical Pyramid involves those ethical guidelines which are considered “good” by the specific industry within which the decision is being made. Lastly, the “penthouse suite” involves company specific ethics---ideas which are specific to the operating entity where the actual decision is being made. Each of these ideas will be explored in greater depth as we proceed.

Values

Values are the ideas which contain impulse and direct action. Values are revealed in action. To discover the values of an institution or an individual, one need only observe what they have done to know their values. Discount what they say and record what they do. Those who act in a way consistent with their stated values are considered ethical .

Determinism and Free Will:

Ethics are based on the idea of choice, that an individual must use his “ethics” to choose amongst competing solutions to a given problem. People who think this way

With BMI Leadership Principles covering the issue of ethics, it’s a chance to read what Gregg Patterson, Founder & President of "Tribal Magic", has written on the topic from a club manager perspective.

are governed by the notion of “free will,” that they can always act and that the right to choose and the requirement to do so is never relinquished. Determinists, by contrast, say that “choice” is out of their hands and they must blindly follow the dictates of others or of circumstance since they “can’t do anything about it. Free will types understand that some things can’t be changed---competition for jobs exist and therefore the context is “defined”---but they reserve their “free will” in responding to “the pre- determined.” Ethical people accepts that they are not “pawns before the tidal wave of history,” that choices remain and that action is possible.

The Efficient Ethical Marketplace

Everything one does will eventually be known by everyone who matters. Although “efficient market” is an investment concept--that the price of stock in the American marketplace at a given point in time represents the “efficient price” since all facts surrounding the value of that stock are known to the investing community at that point in time--- the notion of “efficiency” is equally applicable to ethics since the actions of individuals and of institutions will eventually be known by everyone. It is a short

step from this notion to the belief that one should always act as if what they do is already known by those who will pass judgement on their actions.

Stakeholders

Stakeholders are those people and institutions affected by a given ethical decision. The “circle of stakeholders” is always larger than people initially suppose. Decisions ripple outward and impact others in much the same way as occurs when a stone is thrown into water---although distance reduces the impact, an impact occurs nonetheless. People often make ethical decisions thinking that the stakeholders are more local than they actually are. Decisions ripple outward and their impact, though muted, is evidenced by a much larger community than is initially supposed.

Inductive and Deductive Ethical Thinking

Staff and customers are usually “inductive” in their ethical thinking. They witness a specific situation---a supervisor shouts at an employee for a faux pas--- and draws a “global” conclusion from the example--management endorses the abuse of staff. It is a fact of the “human condition” that people see details and extrapolate an ethical system

from the specific. By contrast, management types and leaders need to think “deductively,” creating “first principles” which are then used to guide actions in “the specific.” A manager might say that the company has “zero tolerance” for payroll errors which then guides the payroll department in the hiring of staff, the documentation of hours and the attendance at payroll seminars. Deductive thinking is about “ethical vision” and first principles whereas inductive thinking is about the application of those principles in the specific.

The Rational Thought Process

An emotional response, though sometimes quite satisfying in the short term, is inappropriate for the ethically inclined since it does nothing to “contain impulse and direct action.” The rational thought process is how one makes decisions and the “ethical imperative” is an integral part thereof. The process is deceptively simple: define the problem, gather all facts relating to that problem (including the larger stakeholder group), analyze the problem using ethical first principles (principles are used to organize the gathered facts), draw a conclusion from the analysis, articulate the

conclusion and be open to feedback. By doing so, one can replicate the decision making process they used, can explain their reasoning to others and can replicate the decision should the need to do so arise once again.

Understanding “Free Market Contractual Ethics” and The American Way:

Within the United States, “free market contractual ethics” are fundamental to the decisions we make in both the personal and the public realms. Agreements to act between two or more parties are considered contracts, contracts define the selection made amongst choices and contracts and choices are fundamental to “the market.” “Free market contractual ethics” form the “second floor” in the ethical pyramid.

Point One: People make decisions about choices which are in their vested selfinterest.

Those reasons may be material, emotional or psychological but people will ultimately act in a way consistent with their self

interests. If a contract doesn’t seem to be in the best interests of the people or institutions involved, the “contract” is suspect. People who agree to “bad contracts” usually do so knowing they’ll eventually break the contract. Example: the contractor who signs a contract for a project after underbidding the competition by 35% will often fail to satisfy the terms and conditions of the contract. Doing so is not in his “vested selfinterest” since altruism rarely motivates the building trades. Example: the new manager who signed a contract giving him less money, less authority and less time off than his previous two jobs is unlikely to honor the terms and conditions of the contract for very long.

Point Two: In the free market, one enters into a contract without coercion.

If one is forced into making an agreement, the chances are that the agreement will be broken. Example: the man who weds his pregnant sweetie at the point of her father’s shotgun is rarely a happy man. It is reasonable to assume that the wedding vows will be broken at some point in the not so

distant future.

Point Three: Contracts must be balanced and fair to both parties. Both “signatories” must win a little and give a little. Both dignity and status must be sustained and, if possible, amplified in the relationship. Any contract that’s all win for one and all compromise for the other is a contract that will eventually be broken. Example: A general manager pays an employee far less than they’re worth because they know the person is emotionally attached to the employee community. The employee knows they’re “getting the shaft” but put up with it. They don’t get mad but get even--they talk “crap” about the manager, they slow down their job, they bitch and moan. A bad contract since one of the parties thought they were a winner and the other thought they were a loser.

Point Four: Fraud, that is the conscious misrepresentation of facts or agreements, is “The Big No-No.”

People who perpetrate a fraud are by common agreement “bad people” in possession of “bad ethics.” Example: The

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manager who accepts a new position as “General Manager” and who then discovers that he’s really and truly a “Clubhouse Manager” has been the victim of a fraudulent act. Example: The wealthy woman who marries an impoverished man who represents that “true love” is his motivation, only to discover in due course that he wanted her for her bank account, has experience fraud. Conscious misrepresentations are bad.

Point Five: Once a contract has been agreed to, both parties are bound to honor both the spirit and the terms of that contract.

A contract can be legally enforceable---you agreed to three years of service in exchange for three years of pay as general manager--but it must also be “spiritually enforceable.” That is, people who sign contracts must adhere to the emotional and psychological commitment implied by the contract.

Example: the manager who signs a three year employment contract but continues looking for “his next job.” Example: The basketball player who signs a multi-year contract, then discovers two years into the deal that others

are “doing better” than he is, then holds out for more money. Huh? The contract was signed without coercion, was in his best interests, was balanced and fair and there was no fraud involved---where’s the commitment to “honor the contract?”

Point Six: Violations of the contract void the contract.

If either parties violates “free market ethics” during the negotiation or execution of the contract---not in one’s best interests, coerced into signing, not balanced and fair, fraudulently represented or not honored in spirit or deed--- the contract can be considered to be null and void. Example: The board of directors that denies a manager time to attend an industry conference, when their contract clearly states their right to do so, has violated the agreed to contract. The manager is no longer constrained by the agreed to contract.

Building Your “Happiness Quotient” into the “Yes or No” Decision:

Every decision we make either contributes

to or diminishes our store of happiness. As such, the search for personal happiness--knowingly or unknowingly--- plays a critical part in our decision making process and, in turn, is a fundamental building block in our ethical pyramid.

Each of us has rules that guide us in the pursuit of personal happiness. When making a decision, these ethics---what I call Personal / Professional Ethics---are a paramount consideration. Will the decision under consideration be in alignment with these principles, thereby promoting one’s long term happiness, or will it violate those values, thereby diminishing one’s “happiness quotient?”

Everyone has different principles that are fundamental to their happiness. Sometimes we make short term tactical decisions which violate those principles---agreeing to work in a god forsaken part of the country knowing that it’s a two month assignment--while understanding the need for long term strategic alignment---your desert-loving personality dictates that you live in a desert community for the remainder of your days.

The key is to know the values which underlie your “happiness quotient” and to act in accord with those principles over the course of one’s career.

The following two “templates” are worth considering while evaluating your own “Personal / Professional Ethics.”

The Balanced Life:

Every day, week, month and year of your life should focus on “The Balanced Life.”

Consider the following questions before making your next big decision:

a. Does the decision time for productive work?

b. Does the decision provide time for play?

c. Does the decision provide time for reflection?

d. Does the decision provide time for community involvement?

e. Does the decision provide time for family?

Happiness Principles:

Happiness is a serious business. Consider the following before you make any personal or professional decisions:

a. Does the decision contribute to my good health?

b. Is the decision consistent with my “geographic imperative?”

c. Does the decision allow me to

acknowledge my passions and does it give me time for their pursuit?

d. Does the decision provide “productive work”---is it fun for me, is it needed and is it meaningful?

e. Is the decision consistent with or does it actively promote my dreams and does it provide me with hope for their fulfillment?

f. Does the decision provide me with and a community of shared values?

g. Does the decision amplify or diminish my relationship with my “significant other”?

Personal and Professional Ethics are about living “the good life”. Only you can provide that definition. Whatever those principles, the “ethical person” acts in accord with those guidelines. They understand what makes them happy and remember to incorporate those values into each and every decision they make. Knowing what gives you fulfillment is the first step in creating those principles. Acting in accord with those principles is the essence of “personal-professional ethics.”

Within in any given business community--be it the business of education, cocaine trafficking or club management---there are

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values which are intended to guide behavior by those practicing within that community. These values are absorbed, more often than not, “from the vapors” and are passed down through the generations by the oral tradition. These principles are rarely premeditated. Most have been derived over the years from experience, something of a common law approach to “first principles.”

What some business communities actually do is to document those principles in a “code of ethics,” which is really no more than the written expression of those commonly accepted principles. This codification occurs when a commonly accepted “umbrella organization”---in the club business, CMAA and in the legal business, The American Bar Association---review the histories of their respective organizations and determine what principles are at work in their business niche. However, practitioners rarely read those principles before acting, relying instead on observations made or insights gained from others who are older, more experienced and inclined to “mentor” novitiates within the community.

Decision makers need to understand the “norms” which are acceptable within their business cultures. “Business Ethics” become a part of each person’s decision making process and, since they are oft times directly applicable to decisions in progress, have a relevancy that most understand. For example, within the club business, managers are not supposed to pursue another’s job without that person’s knowledge of the pursuit whereas in another subset of the hospitality industry---the hotel business, for instance—the same is not necessarily the case. Each business niche has its own ethical standards and practicioners are expected to act in accord with those standards.

“So,” the practical person might ask, “how does one go about discovering the ethical good in one’s business niche?” Since all knowledge is question driven, or so I would have you believe, the answer is a simple question: “If I were standing on a stage in front of three hundred of my peers, told them my story and gave them my decision, would they agree with the decision I made and would I be confident that---in their eyes---I did the right thing? ”

The key issue for professionals: finding and clearly understanding the ethics of their niche business community. Observation, mentoring and lastly reading about realworld ethical scenarios are critical factors in the “values transfer” that needs to take place.

Site Specific Ethics:

If all ethics are local, the most local “locale” is the specific club that you’re working in or business that you’re working in. Each club has a history and in the decisions which define that history clearly point to the values which guide and animate the community. These “site specific ethics” must, necessarily, be a part of any decision made. Sometimes subtly and sometimes dramatically, these local values will influence and guide the decision maker. Maybe in your club the president gets preferential pricing when his or her daughter gets married, or maybe they get no special consideration.

Maybe your club is fiercely egalitarian and refuses to mark out a parking spot for the President, or maybe it has special parking spots for each of the Board members. The definitions of right and wrong need to take the local culture into consideration.

Keep in mind that the club business is littered with the bodies of managers who left one club for another and failed to take their new club’s “ethics” into consideration before acting on the ethics of the prior club.

“So,” the practical person might once again ask, “how does one go about discovering the ethical good at one’s place of business?”

Since all knowledge is question driven, or so I would have you believe, the answer is a simple question: “If I were standing on a stage in front of three hundred of my staff, customers or purveyors, told them my story and gave them my decision, would they agree with the decision I made and would I be confident that---in their eyes---I did the right thing? ” Club specific ethics can be changed but changing them requires patience, a vision for a better alternative and a host culture susceptible to that evolution. Changing a “men’s golf club” into a “family country club” can occur with time but compressing that change into a six month window is a sure recipe for failure. Vision, patience, a fertile host culture and a catalyst---that is, a manager or president or board who realize the potential of a given community and who can initiate, direct and sustain that evolution--are needed before a change can occur.

Let’s Get Practical:

So where do you, the reflective practicioner, go “ethically” from here???

First of all, accept that the decision making process is a complicated one built on a foundation of questions which, when answered, lead to the appropriate decision. Find yourself a couple of personal and

professional “mentors” who can discuss the ethical pyramid in light of experiences that are personal, local and current. These people need to be “reflective practicioners,” that is, people who have lived extensively and thought deeply about their life experiences. They can guide your ethical search by asking the right questions and by responding to your own.

Next, gather ten specific situations from your personal and professional life. Make the anecdotes interesting, “conflicted” and important. These will be the test cases to examine as you work your way through each of the principles discussed in the Pyramid. The “ethical inquiry” is based on the questioning mind. Knowing “the good” requires that one ask the right questions. From here on, the success of one’s ethical journey will be driven by the quality of one’s questions.

Now look at each of these situations with your mentor or mentors and work backward from the outcome through the various floors of the pyramid. What “local ethics” played a role in the decision? Would my staff, customers and purveyors agree on “the right thing” to do? Which “industry” ethics? Would my professional peers agree on “the right thing” to do? Which “happiness ethics?” Did I violate my own definition of personal and professional happiness? Were each of the “free market ethics” applicable? Were the “ethical bricks” in evidence? And lastly, reverse the process and ask yourself the same question you earlier answered---Should I take the job? Should I fire that employee?---, move upward through the pyramid asking ethical questions along the way and see if you arrive at a different decision than you previously made.

Once you’ve done this, create and document your own “Code of Ethics” for decision making. Doing so will help you act consistently when confronted with tough choices, will help you explain the decisions you’ve made and will help you make those decisions without the stress and uncertainty that might otherwise prevail.

Ethics are practical. Ethics are about real world decisions. And ethics are the very underpinning of your personal and professional happiness. Understand them, accept that ethics are “your friends” and let them work for you.

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Copies of can be obtained for $29.95 each (or $250.00 for a pack of 10).

To order your copy, please contact GMA CEO, Paul Vardy: paul.vardy@golfmanagement.com.au

CONFERENCEGMA/ASTMA SUCCESS

WE NEED YOUR INPUT!

To assist us in better informing and educating our members, we need your assistance to continue providing relevant, interesting and unique stories from within the golf management industry that we can share in this journal.

If you would like to write a piece for the GMA Journal, we’d certainly love to hear from you.

Please send your material to our Media & Communications manager, David Branddavid.brand@golfmanagement.com.au

Unleashing the Power of Virtual Power Plants for Golf Clubs

Electricity prices continue to rise and Enervest is working with a host of Australian businesses, including golf clubs, to actively manage this risk.

Context: The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) and the Essential Services Commission of Victoria (ESCV) have released their final determinations, revealing significant increases in electricity bills for customers. These price hikes are attributed to various factors, including global coal and gas prices, the retirement of coal generators, and the need for new renewable energy sources. Key findings of these reports are summarised below.

Enervest has been developing Virtual Power Plant (VPP) technologies to assist a variety of businesses to reduce their energy spend and move to more sustainable operations. VPPs comprise interconnected decentralised energy resources, such as solar panels, battery storage systems, and demand response programs.

By harnessing the capabilities of VPPs, golf clubs can:

• Use clean, renewable energy that is cheaper than grid power

• Decrease reliance on the traditional grid

• Generate revenue by participating in energy markets

• Reduce the club’s carbon footprint

• Install EV chargers

Over the coming months, Enervest will invite GMA members to learn more about this offering through a series of education sessions. In the meantime, if you’d like to discuss your club’s energy needs and plans to manage the risks of rising costs please reach out to Jason Downes.

KEY FINDINGS

For further information, please contact:

Jason Downes - 0499 198 320 Business Development Manager, Enervest

www.enervest.com.au

• Electricity bills in southeast Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia will rise by 20-25% on the default market offer (DMO).

• High global coal and gas prices following Russia's invasion of Ukraine contribute to the price hikes.

• Integrating renewables and storage reduces reliance on volatile fossil fuel prices and lowers wholesale prices.

• Rooftop solar and batteries can significantly reduce evening peak demand and wholesale prices.

• Load shifting and energy storage optimize solar energy and address the "duck curve" effect.

• Smart hot water heaters provide flexible demand capacity and utilize daytime solar energy.

• Demand-side participation and energy efficiency measures have the potential to save billions and lower electricity prices.

Figure 1: Recent installation of solar at Chirnside Park Country Club

The highest precision Lightning Detection System available in Australia

Lightning can strike twice, but with golfers out on the course, once is too often. SINT and UBIMET partner to provide the most technically accurate lightning detection and warning systems to protect your players and staff.

The chances of lightning strikes harming golfers has been reducing through accurate storm technology and weather detection, but it remains a significant concern for every golf club. Accurate and high precision Lightning Detection System networks (LDS) are the best weapon against potential injuries.

Lightning detection systems make up the majority of the market for a reason…

In Australia SINT has partnered with UBIMET who operates a nationwide LDS network used by aviation, mining, major sports & event venues, and golf clubs, and uses the newest and most advanced technology in the country, with long-range detection capabilities,

a sophisticated multi-sensor array and strike prediction accuracy to within 75m.

By partnering with SINT in Australia the UBIMET LDS includes additional benefits:

With the addition of SINT integration, the UBIMET LDS network functions are increased to include configurable automated alerts and compliance testing. The advantages include:

• Lightning proximity radius alerts pushed to SINT’S onsite integration system.

• Highly customisable alerts

• Alerts sent only during times when players are on the course.

• Automated compliance tests weekly.

• Interfaces to messaging systems

- SMS to players, onsite siren activation. display screens

When it comes to player safety there can be no compromise.

To discuss in detail how you can improve your LDS network contact Jason Drew at SINT on 1300 175 994.

First Choice Services continues to build trust and deliver excellence within the golf community.

First Choice Services has built a strong portfolio of Golf Club clients reflecting the teams deep understanding of the specific needs and expectations of the industry.

It has become the preferred partner for a multitude of Queensland clubs cementing its status and reputation. Such establishments include Headland Golf Club, Beerwah Golf Club, Oxley Golf Club, and Maroochy River Golf Club among others.

First Choice Services is delighted to announce its latest partnerships as the chosen cleaning services provider for Keperra Country Golf Club and Bribie Island Golf Club, both scheduled to commence in July. In addition, the company is thrilled to begin servicing Sandringham Golf Club in Melbourne on the 1st of August.

Gavin Lawrence, the General Manager of Keperra Country Golf Club, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership with FCS. He stated, "We are thrilled to announce

our partnership with FCS as our new cleaning services provider. Its reputation for excellence and attention to detail align perfectly with our commitment to delivering exceptional service for our members and guests. We look forward to working together and elevating the standards of cleanliness and maintenance at the club."

FCS is also expanding its expertise to clubs in New South Wales and left a lasting impression at the Professional Development Business Meeting at Cumberland Country Golf Club last month in May. National Sales Manager, David High, delivered a compelling presentation introducing the company to the golf market in New South Wales.

Following the successful event, David High had the privilege of engaging with several clubs in Sydney, all of whom have expressed keen interest in connecting with FCS. This week, David High returns to Sydney to discuss services with clubs located in the northern and western suburbs, as well as the Central Coast.

While FCS has gained recognition for

servicing golf clubs, its expertise extends beyond the golfing community. FCS offers cleaning and maintenance services to various sectors such as retail, shopping centres, hotels, and healthcare.

What sets First Choice Services apart is its ability to develop customised programs that optimise cleanliness, maintenance, and operational efficiency. Supported by a team experienced in diverse environments, FCS ensures each client receives the highest standard of service, regardless of the industry they operate.

Contact First Choice Services to discuss how the team can help develop a program that meets the unique needs of your facility.

For more information:

W: firstchoiceservices.com.au

P: 1300 544 166

E: support@firstchoiceservices.com.au

Strategic Pillars Strategic

Toro’s new IntelliDash® Irrigation and Fleet Management Platform is the intelligence you need, all in the one place.

Toro’s new IntelliDash irrigation and fleet management platform brings key course elements together to provide course managers and superintendents greater visibility to course health and unique access to equipment fleet and irrigation data.

Bruce McNeilly, Toro Australia’s National Service Network (NSN) manager says: “We are very excited that we can introduce this new platform to the Australian market. IntelliDash will be an essential tool for courses that have a Toro maintenance equipment fleet and/or irrigation system. Superintendents can easily access the platform from any computer or mobile device, allowing them to view equipment, labour, equipment health and agronomic data from anywhere at any time.”

Having access to this data will empower superintendents to streamline course operations, pinpoint inefficiencies and optimise resource allocation.

“The all-in-one dashboard provides a bird’s-eye view of the course and fleet data, so you can make informed decisions using information from various sources, such as weather and radar streams as well as evapotranspiration forecasts. By incorporating weather data, you can make real-time decisions

For agronomic conditions, IntelliDash will integrate popular Toro products like Lynx® Central Control, which collects essential irrigation information to better manage water and resources while maximising course playability and aesthetics. IntelliDash can also incorporate well-known products such as Turf Guard® and leading

third-party services like Playbooks™ and taskTracker™ to manage labour, track expenses and understand operational inputs, over time and by area of the course — providing insights for year-over-year comparisons and effective budget management. Plus, Toro is constantly working to integrate additional new data sources into the dashboard to ensure operators can access all their essential data in one place.

For daily productivity and planning purposes, IntelliDash provides

equipment health and status. Equipment health is further managed by the inclusion of Toro’s popular myTurf® Pro Fleet Management tool, giving users convenient maintenance scheduling, parts ordering and reporting. For configured equipment, IntelliDash will provide diagnostics and valuable information on engine health, like operational hours and fuel use.

To book a demo now, contact your Toro Area Sales Manager to request a demonstration, phone 1300 130 898.