Golfers set course for new direction
The future of nationally renowned Horsham Golf Course is set to hinge on how well the region embraces a major push to make the centre more communityfocused.
Horsham Golf Club, in identifying a clear need to future-proof the iconic course, has drawn up plans that include rekindling strong connections between the club and community.
The club, which needs to improve its financial position to secure longevity, needs community support to drive up membership and is introducing a variety of changes to get more people involved.
Club president Leo Delahunty said Horsham Golf Course was ‘one of the jewels in Horsham’s crown’ and there was a desperate need for a broader cross-section of people to have a greater level of ‘ownership’ of the asset.
“Some people, over time, for one reason or another, seem to have lost touch with their connection to what remains one of the best country courses in Australia,” he said.
“Sure the course and club underwent considerable transformation during and after the Black Saturday fires, but we’ve long moved on and it is time to well and truly put that in the past.
“We have leading national golfers visiting now who are saying the course is better than ever.
“We want to get out a profound message, something that is clearly obvious in the club’s new strategic plan, that this wonderful facility exists not for a select few, but for people of Horsham district and the Wimmera in general to use and enjoy.”
Mr Delahunty said concerns about the club’s future in the past few years had been far from a secret, but with a new ‘energised’ management board and clearly defined strategic plan the club was now moving away from what had become a potentially dangerous position.
“What we need is more members, people to come back out and use what the course is there for – to play golf, and critically, enjoy themselves,’ he said.
“It’s not only a great course but somewhere to relax and have a lot of fun.”
The club has a membership of about 600, a number the club believes is far from enough to maintain the high-level type of golfing experience it provides.
It has also identified an under-representation of members in the ‘timepoor’ under-54 age bracket.
“We basically need a membership base of more than 750 and we’re confident with the direction we’re taking we can achieve this during the next three years,” Mr Delahunty said.
“We’ve introduced more flexibility in membership options and are open to exploring ideas that individuals, clubs, businesses or other organisations are willing to bring to us.”
Flexibility
While a full 2018-19 annual membership remains at $950, an example of the new flexibility is an introductory membership with an annual fee of $595, representing an opportunity for a newcomer or previous members to play at the course for $50 a month.
The club is also offering monthly payment options, where people can pay to pursue their pastime in installments.
“There are several options, especially for the time-poor group,” he said.
“The new options are available right now and we encourage people keen to experience what the course offers to find out what best suits them.”
Mr Delahunty said key parts of the strategic plan were to put a highly qualified manager in place, build membership, outsource catering services, integrate a pro shop into the clubhouse to improve customer experience and sell land to meet debt-payment requirements.
The club has already confirmed it has appointed Hong Kong Professional Golfers Association board member Paul Riley as its new general manager and director of golf.
“We’re on the right track. What we now need is people to get the clubs out and come and experience what we have to offer,” Mr Delahunty said.
“People keen to find out more can simply call the club or chat with members.”