Golf NSW Council Meeting 23 April 2014 Councillor s Report. Chairman s Update. (Chris Allen)

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1 Golf NSW Council Meeting 23 April 2014 Councillor s Report Chairman s Update. (Chris Allen) Chris referred to a report which is in the process of becoming available concerning the health of the golf industry. Full details not yet provided, but the report will soon be available to all. Some of the key points:- 2 out of 3 golfers in Australia are not now members of clubs. 51% of golf clubs have less than 100 members. Only 42% of golf clubs have a paid manager. 50% of all clubs are in financial distress (NSW 64%). 60% of members are 55yo+ & this % is growing. Chris also referred to a plan to change the GA Constitution which would extend the term for certain parts of the GA Board. CEO s Update. (Stuart Fraser) GNSW Strategic Plan now completed copies are available on request some key aspects:- i. Aim to enhance club health - club assistance service can be provided on request especially for non-ceo clubs. GNSW will seek the services of high-profile managers (on a contract basis) to provide this assistance. ii. Communications Audit will review all current forms of communication effective? improvements? digital initiatives? JNJG to be involved in common database. Website examined functionality? improvements? iii. Industry Collaboration note the Adam Scott radio commercial aired for 3 weeks prior to the Masters considered successful. Possible to create commercial which can build in local club info via local radio stations info available suggests DJ s keen to be on board with this idea. GNSW also now plans ¼ly meetings with other stakeholders (PGA, JNJG, etc) a co-ordinated golf industry award night might be a possibility. iv. Improved Governance See reference to Deputy Chair (Sue Fabian) report on updates to the GNSW Constitution. GA Initiatives:- i. MiGolf new format to be launched in May agreement signed today between GA and PGA. ii. SwingFit basic skills of golf and fitness (especially for non-playing women). iii. Social Golf sponsorship deal with Crown Lager discontinued new deal possible with Qantas. Video presentation about market segmentation very thought provoking I am attempting to get a copy for presentation at our Council of Clubs meeting.

2 Governance Review Constitutional Considerations. (Sue Fabian) The Constitution is available on the GNSW Website. The point of the changes referred to below is simply to be more effective and more efficient as the Strategic Plan is implemented. There is (at the end of the Strategic Plan) an invitation to Districts that would like to amalgamate to contact GNSW to begin this process this is a matter of choice there is no pressure or threat involved. There is no threat to the future of long-standing pennant or other competitions. Several rules in the Constitution are now obsolete - they were put in place at the time of amalgamation (to facilitate that amalgamation) but are no longer required because the subject matter is covered in other rules. Rules to be removed 13(e), 22A, 33, 63, 64. Rules to be amended 13(d), 32(c), 18, 23(a) & (b). Rules to be altered in accordance with Strategic Plan Rule 94 where a matter before the Board has equal votes it will be lost. Rule 112 Chairman will no longer have a casting vote (see Rule 94 above). Rule 77 & 78 remove reference to the Executive this group has no special authority and is simply a part of the Board decisions have always been made by the whole Board.. **This proposal may be contentious. It refers to Rules 72 and 76(b) which state that a member of the Board must be a member of an affiliated club suggestion is that this requirement may be removed for appointments to the Board. There seems to be a feeling that this would apply to both elections to the Board, and appointments to the Board (of the type foreshadowed in the NSW Government legislation not yet enacted which is supposed to allow for appointment of experts with special skills to come onto a club s Board for the performance of particular tasks.) When personally asked my opinion on this matter I expressed the view that I have no objection to people with special skills being appointed to carry out certain tasks for the Board, but that I would not be in favour of this rule change if it meant people could be elected to the Board who are not registered golfers. Please be prepared to express an opinion on this matter at the Council of Clubs meeting if the District s view is different to mine, I will certainly convey that District opinion to GNSW. Finance Report. (Andrew Tharle) Operating surplus above that expected in Budget. Although Revenue is down on expectations, Expenditure is down by a greater amount. Anticipated surplus now expected should allow full implementation of the Strategic Plan in 2014/15.

3 Handicapping & Course Rating. (Lynne Ritchie) Slope Update Low slope ratings on some courses are having a detrimental effect on high handicap markers and this is seen as a disincentive eg. a 45 marker visiting a low slope rated course in Sydney recently found herself playing off 37. Should only affect FSCDGA members if they visit a course with low slope rating. Questions have been raised about player s ability to readily access their GA handicap if club computer or smartphone not available onus is now on players to know their GA handicap so that daily handicap can be derived from lookup charts wherever they might play. NB. Members of Tier 3 clubs playing at home generally have no problem here. Sandgreen rating problem hopefully resolved by assuming (i) all sandgreens are bigger than they actually measure, and (ii) there is excessive roll on sandgreen courses including pitch and run approach shots to greens. There is now a document available to explain the management of competitions played off different tees contact GNSW. Some initial club dissatisfaction with either scratch and/or slope ratings appears to be better acceptance after people used to the system. Provision may be made for a rating review after application (see form on GNSW Website). Concerns about the effectiveness of the DSR for small fields especially small women s fields. Clubs with concerns should send Lynne Ritchie an expressing those concerns. Match Report. (Alan Harrison) Very long report selection made of those things relevant to clubs:- As of February this year GNSW has one Match Committee now amalgamated. Cart Usage at GNSW events. Unless motorised transport is available for all competitors at an event the use of carts is to be restricted to competitors with a disability, in line with the Transport Policy Pennant Software. Developed for major metropolitan pennant competitions in Very successful. Plans to make available to DGA s (licensing issues to be resolved). This will end the faxed results which can be both difficult to read and very time consuming. The software will allow host clubs to log on, enter results, pointscores immediately updated. Log on to GNSW wesite to see how this is working call Graham Phillipson to indicate interest in the system. Common sense appeal regarding sponsorship. If your club accepts sponsorship (say, of your pennant team) from one golfing company, try to have your players step on the tee wearing gear from that company. Mention was made of the advice that seems to be coming from GA about OOB being marked with white post (without the black top) or white lines. This obviously creates some confusion with markings for GUR. Since it is advice, not a decision there is tacit advice for clubs to keep doing what they are doing. Apparently, it is anticipated that (at some time in the future) blue may become the GUR colour.

4 Rules and Amateur Status Report. (Frank Gal). Following the Captains/Vice-captains sessions conducted around the state on competition management, the 2 nd half of this year will focus on the production of a Club Event Manual. Rules Accreditation Program. Sessions will be 2-hour, rather than 3-hour and will focus more on the day-to-day application of the rules eg. relief situations. Designed to encourage participation welcome to attend seminars without committing to the examination. Resources and study guide available on line for those who register to do the examination. Other things to assist rules knowledge:- i. Promote the quick guide to the Rules of Golf printed format and on line. ii. Develop on line introductory resource for new golfers/ new members iii. Advertise the GA booklet Tee It Up iv. Provide access to video clips helping new golfers to understand rules & etiquette in everyday language. State Level Accreditation. No course to be held this year using this year to upskill current officials. A referee s manual/checklist is to be compiled covering the essential duties of a referee at GNSW events. Decisions on the Rules of Golf check the front of the 2014/2015 Decisions book to obtain information on the 3 new, and 59 revised decisions in this book. Check especially 6-6b/2 re the signing of cards. Also the diagram included with decision 25-2/0.5 which clarifies what qualifies as an embedded ball. I have 4 pages of Q & A on the use of measuring devices. I will try to have copies of these pages available at the Council of Clubs meeting. Golf Events Update. (Graham Phillipson) Mens 4Ball and Keno Finals venues tenders sent out. NSW Pennant software. General software development taking place to assist clubs with event management. Problems for Women s NSW Medals lack of entries from Regional clubs cost of transport and accommodation. Grades played on different days so women cannot travel together to the city to reduce costs. Suggest regional finals, or transport assistance to women who qualify. Northern Rivers already have a District Playoff, with Northern Rivers Medals for winners Clubs in trouble may be closing Banora (part of Twin Towns) have lost 9 holes due to serious soils problems (built on swamp) consequently losing members. Gordon GC may be moving members to Nth Turramurra, selling course for development.

5 Golf Foundation. (Bruce Nairn) Assisted Springwood GC following bushfires. Working to develop blind golf. Small clubs have been assisted with computers, water bores, toilets, etc, etc Looking for help at your club go to Golf Foundation website. If seeking help put in a submission that shows what you have already done yourselves, what you are planning, and why you need some help. Ideas. Gold Coast Membership promotion 10 clubs combined any new member into a draw to win a car. $2000 from each club covered advertising and cost of car (provided by local dealer at cost). Junior golf. Movement to attract younger than cadets (5 8 yrs, so sub-cadets). Provide pizza after play. Maybe play 3 holes with only score to count being the number of putts. 6 months membership package not just ½ financial year, make a summer 6 months for footballers, a winter 6 months for cricketers. Ladies Beginners Day at Morrisett. Ladies asked to bring along a prospective new member. Those interested go into Pro classes. Eventually some become full playing members. DGA Development Funds reminder that this system still exists. Districts invited to initiate new programs to support membership (eg. Kids come and try day). Funds may be made available to assist any innovative program.