Dear Members
I hope you are all enjoying the nice weather and looking forward to a well earned break over the Christmas New Year period. It is also great to see our golf course in great condition again after such a difficult year. The comments we have received about the course from both Members and visitors alike over the past month have been extremely positive. Let us hope the good conditions continue.
The November Board Meeting was held last Wednesday. It is important that I update you on three important matters arising from the meeting.
Strategic Planning Developments
In March or April 2023 there will be an informal presentation to Members on the future of the Club.
Members will recall that several years ago they were surveyed to obtain their feedback on what facilities they would like to maximise their enjoyment of the Club, make the Club more attractive to future members and to guarantee the sustainability of the Club in the long term.
Your feedback led to the formation of the Strategic Planning Committee (“SPC”) chaired by Rod Read. I want to thank Rod and all of the SPC for their outstanding work.
In December 2021 the SPC delivered its report to the Board. The SPC’s brief was to analyse the stated needs and wishes of Members, consider the opportunities available to the Club and advise on how those needs might be delivered.
Following delivery of the SPC’s report, the Board formed a sub committee chaired by Vice President Steve Healy. The Committee was charged with considering the report and the possibilities identified so as to enable the Board to make an initial recommendation to Members on its preferred alternative. A great deal of time has been spent this year by the Board and the General Manager in investigating the options. While this process still has a considerable way to go before any formal decision to progress can be made, the Board will soon be in a position to communicate its initial view and recommendation on the best way forward for the Club. This will also involve seeking your input and feedback.
The Board intends to provide Members with a detailed oral presentation. In doing so the Board will be aided by the consultants who have assisted us to date. It will also involve exhibiting some draft plans and visual images. There will also be time for questions and comments and an opportunity for Members subsequently to provide more detailed and formal feedback after further consideration.
We stress that the purpose of this meeting is only communication and feedback. There will not be any formal vote by Members on the proposal on the night.
What the Board will seek is your guidance as to whether there is a desire to progress the proposal further and to allocate appropriate funding to “firm up” the proposal and ultimately allow the
Members to make a formal decision whether or not to proceed.
The future of KGC is a matter for all Members and we hope you will respond by attending the presentation. The more in attendance the better!
Details of time and venue for the presentation in March or April 2023 will be advised early in the New Year.
KGC Cocktail Party
On Sunday 18 December the Club will be holding a Cocktail Party to celebrate the end of what has been, let’s be honest, a very ordinary year. If we weren’t suffering from Covid we were underwater from torrential rain. The party will be an opportunity for Members to get together after a hard year and for the Club to thank Members for their patience. The party will also be in lieu of the usual Presentation Night and the President’s Cocktail Party. These events will return to the Club’s calendar next year.
Details of the Cocktail Party are in the Club Newsletter. Please contact reception to make bookings – reception@kgc.com.au or phone on 9498 2700.
Storage of Members’ Buggy Batteries
Members will be aware that a number of other golf clubs in Sydney have recently experienced major fires resulting from issues with buggy batteries. The fires have caused very significant damage to those golf clubs and to their members’ property. After investigating the issues and having had discussions with other clubs and our own insurance broker and insurers, the Board has determined that from 24 December the Club will no longer store Members’ golf buggy batteries or chargers on Club premises. As a result Members will have to take their batteries and chargers home with them. Whilst we appreciate that this will cause some inconvenience to Members, the fire risk to the Club from these batteries is simply too high.
Naturally there will be a reduction in the Club’s buggy storage fee to allow for this change. Over the next few weeks there will be updates to Members on the battery removal process and the new procedures to be adopted by the Pro Shop.
Happy Golfing
Rob Crittenden, President
