7. Visibility and Outreach
Increase the Union’s visibility and strengthen ties with clubs:
• Targeted Outreach: Ensure communication reaches the right stakeholders within clubs for maximum engagement.
• Club Reps: Utilise club representatives as a key communication point to foster stronger relationships.
• Enhanced Communication: Broaden the reach of our communications to ensure all clubs and members are informed of Union activities and updates.
• Promotion: Support clubs by promoting their activities and successes across the County.
8. WHS Handicapping and Rules of Golf
Support clubs in their understanding and application of the WHS and the Rules of Golf:
• Education Programmes: Offer tailored educational programmes to clubs, focusing on winter months, AGM meetings, and the start of the golfing season, to ensure consistent knowledge.
9. Golfer Engagement
Enhance engagement with individual golfers to promote the Union’s role:
• Awareness Campaigns: Develop campaigns to raise awareness of the Union’s services, which benefit affiliated clubs and individual members.
• Member Benefits: Continue to explore new benefits for individual golfers affiliated with the Union.
• Club Presence: Strengthen the Union’s presence at men’s, junior and senior opens, offering support and promoting the Union during these events.
This strategic plan outlines the key focus areas for the Staffordshire Union of Golf Clubs over the next three years, aiming to deliver value, support, and growth for both clubs and individual golfers in the County.
Staffordshire Union of Golf Clubs Strategic Plan
2025, 2026 & 2027
Golf History in a Modern Way
WEBSITE: WWW.STAFFSGOLF.CO.UK
SOCIAL MEDIA:
INSTAGRAM: @STAFFSGOLFCLUBS
X (FORMERLY TWITTER): @STAFFSGOLFCLUBS
FACEBOOK: @STAFFORDSHIRE UNION OF GOLF CLUBS
CONTACT US: secretary@staffsgolf.org.uk | 07865 856899
Staffordshire Union of Golf Clubs
Staffordshire Union of Golf Clubs
Authors: Gareth Shaw, Michael Entecott, Mark Ashton and Charlie Birchall.
Mission Statement
Our mission is to be the leading amateur golf body in Staffordshire, dedicated to promoting, supporting, and growing the game at all levels. We aim to provide exceptional value to our affiliated clubs and individual golfers, foster excellence in competition, and uphold the highest standards in course rating, handicapping, and governance. Through strategic initiatives and strong partnerships, we will ensure that golf in Staffordshire thrives for future generations.
1. Value for Money (Affiliation Fee)
To ensure our members receive excellent value, we propose the following initiatives:
• Junior Affiliation Fee: Juniors will be charged an affiliation fee to support inclusivity and development. All funds raised through this fee will be reinvested directly into junior golf within the county, helping us grow and enhance opportunities for young players.
• WHS vs Club List:
Align World Handicap System (WHS) data with club membership lists for better accuracy and service.
• Additional Benefits: Explore extra value propositions to enhance member experience, including club-level benefits.
• Club Grants:
Offer financial support to clubs through grants of up to £1,000 to promote development initiatives.
2. Team Performance
Focus on elevating the performance of our teams by:
• Tracking Performance: Continuously monitor and compare results to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.
• Benchmarking: Establish performance benchmarks to ensure competitiveness.
• Recruitment and Oversight: Recruit new talent and provide guidance and support to existing teams to foster growth.
3. Club Representatives
Strengthen the relationship with member clubs by:
• Club Collection Agency: Implement a system for collecting key details of club officials to streamline communications.
• Terms of Affiliation: Ensure delegates are aware of their responsibilities and the terms of affiliation, promoting active engagement.
4. Executive Structure
Refine the executive structure to improve governance and representation:
• Zones: Divide the county into 4 zones, each with up to 12 clubs, for better regional representation.
• Representatives: Each club to provide 2 Representatives to the Union.
• Executive Committee Composition: Reorganise leadership into a 6-member board with 5 board members, 6 past presidents, 4 representatives, and 2 vice-presidents making up the Executive Committee to steer decision-making.
5. Championships
Enhance and grow the County’s championships:
• Event Expansion: Expand the membership scheme to include 6 events, increasing participation.
• Staffordshire Amateur Rota: Maintain and optimise the rota to ensure competitive, high-quality events.
• Sponsorship and Support: Develop new sponsorship opportunities to provide additional resources for events.
• Less popular Events: Strengthen less popular events and continue to grow our events schedule catering for all ability golfers.
• Champion of Champions: Explore future plans for this prestigious event at JCB Golf and Country Club.
• Short Course Championship: Introduce a new event in honour of Jim Whitehouse.
6. Course Rating
Ensure consistency and fairness in course ratings across the County:
• Course Rating Leaflet: Create educational materials to inform clubs about the rating process.
• Volunteer Team Expansion: Recruit and train additional volunteers to support the course rating efforts.
• 10-Year Plan: Develop a comprehensive 10-year course rating plan to ensure long-term coverage and consistency.
• Pricing Structure: Offer free ratings for the White, Yellow, and Red tees or equivalent for both men and women. Charge up to £100 for any additional tee sets or special requests.
