Golf Vic Vol 60 No 2 2019

by Peter Busch, GMV President The Golf Management Australia (GMA) Board has announced the formation of a single GMA management and administrative model which officially began on January 1, 2019. This national GMA management model will be implemented across the next two years and will involve all five state associations from across Australia. A detailed process involving significant consultation and contributions from each state association resulted in all five 'GMA Service Agreements' being signed by the state members, which will see GMA (national) become responsible for all operational aspects related to GMA activities. These activities include the provision of services to all members across Australia, the management of corporate partners and the continued support and development of programs and events that have been enjoyed by GMA members over many years. This 'national approach' to GMA activities has been discussed for many years by national and state representatives, and follows the administrative alignment undertaken by Golf Australia with most of its affiliated states. GMA Chair Andrew Gay said the new structure will look to build upon the outstanding work that has been undertaken by the state associations for many years. “The GMA Board is extremely thankful to each state executive and their members for their willingness to contribute to and develop a model that we believe will enhance administrative aspects of the organisation and the membership experience. If it was not for the willingness of state executives to buy into this process, this new approach would not have occurred.” GMA will be working closely with state executives to enhance the membership experience at a range of events and educational programs across the country. Further to the support of each state executive, GMA and state association corporate partners have also played a significant role in the advancement of this new model and, once again, without their partnership, vision and support, GMA couldn't provide the level of support to its members that currently exists or will exist into the future. JOBS WELL DONE Recently, two long-serving managers announced their retirements from the golf industry and I wish to take this opportunity to acknowledge the significant contribution they have made along the journey. Peter Parks (Commonwealth Golf Club) and Gregg Chapple (Kingston Heath Golf Club) have served as General Manager at their respective clubs for the past 10 years, together with serving on the Golf Management Victoria Executive for many years in the capacity of President, Captain or Treasurer. In all, they have contributed a combined 69 years of service in varying capacities to golf. Peter and Gregg have served as mentors to many current and future General Managers and I would like to wish them both the very best in their next adventures. GMV SIGNS UP TO NATIONAL APPROACH Amstel Golf Club opened with 18 holes in Cranbourne in 1936 and in 2002 it opened a second course, Ranfurlie, designed by Mike Clayton. In 2016, the original course was sold for housing. "When we started to get our heads around the concept of selling Amstel, we engaged Anthony to prepare the members' brief. We had a public meeting, so Anthony has been involved with us for a while," Butler said. Butler said it was an advantage that Gurry was not an official Amstel member so he can take an objective and unbiased view of the big picture. "It sometimes puts a sense of calmness back into debates. He can say 'have you thought about this or that?’ Golfers are on the board anyway and on the golf club committee which he doesn't attend. He might be at a meeting where he says virtually nothing whereas another one he can be talking virtually non-stop," Butler said. "It's good from a management point of view to have that person there. It's hard for me to, say, argue about increasing fees that are affecting you. But if it's not affecting you, you can have open discussion. "I think it's something that all clubs should look at. It's like anything, if you get the right person, it's a great intermediary between management and the board because sometimes they can be at loggerheads over an issue and having that independent person ensures that in the end, we focus on the right things." Golf Australia Club Support Manager John Stamp said the appointment of one or even two independent directors to club committees had considerable merit. “I believe independent directors bring to the board balanced views, free of conflict with personal interests or bias and from those they serve, as they have no business or other relationship to influence them in their judgements.” Gregg Chapple (left) and Peter Parks. 36 Golf Victoria