COST OF GOLF CLUB MEMBERSHIP PUTTING GOLF BEYOND REACH

ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS OUTSTRIP COST OF INFLATION OVER SIX YEARS December 1986

THE prospect of ordinary members being squeezed out of the game by the soaring cost of subscriptions, is raised at the annual meeting of Dundalk golf club.

With fees set to increase by 7% to £241 for male members in 1987, the meeting is informed that over the last six years the cost of playing at Dundalk had gone up by almost twice the rate of inflation.

The inflation rate over the period in question was 76%, whereas subscriptions went up by 130%.

Members are told this was caused by an increase of 182% in spending on the course, and a rise of 112% in the cost of administration and salaries.

The ability of members to fund the hike in expenditure through increased fees is diminishing all the time, and unless more control is kept on expenditure, they will no longer be able to afford the fees, says one golfer.

‘ The increase in this year’s subscription of 7% must be compared with an inflation rise of 2.9%, and cannot continue along these lines.’

Outgoing captain, Pat Brennan and director, Kevin Smyth reply that over the six years in question, there have been big improvements made to the course and clubhouse facilities.

These improvements were demanded by members, and could only be funded by either bringing in more revenue through society outings, which they have failed to attract in the numbers required, or by increasing subs.

Mr. Smyth says extra expense will be incurred during 1987 to replace the heating system in the clubhouse at a cost of £22,000.

Furthermore, extra fire safety measures, demanded by the fire officer, will necessitate spending of between ten and twenty thousand pounds, much smaller than an original estimate of £40,000.

It is wrong to say no control is kept on expenditure, the director continues.

The reality is that it is impossible for the club to trade out of its difficulties, after spending £40,000 on improvements to the course and buildings in the last five years, money, which they haven’t taken in.

The club’s balance sheet shows an excess of expenditure over income of £14,389; compared with a surplus of £15,911 the previous year.

The deficit is caused by transferring a portion of the members’ subscription into share capital to comply with the Companies Act of 1983, otherwise the club would have shown a surplus £14,603 on the current account.

Dermot O’Callaghan takes over as captain, and expresses a hope that Dundalk can achieve better results in competitions, and that the problems faced with the course can be overcome with understanding and co-operation.

His successor as vice-captain is Pat Halligan. Re-elected are president, Thomas McArdle, and honorary secretary, Joe Leonard.

Four vacancies on the board of directors are filled, after a ballot, by Tommy Byrne, Harry Stewart, Pat McGuinness and Chris Wallace.