10 minute read
How clubs welcomed the return of golf
Packed tees and smiles as golf returned TO ACTION Sponsors of My Success Story
The ‘course closed’ signs finally came down across the UK last month as the easing of lockdown rules saw clubs able to reopen. We asked a trio of managers how opening day went
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I“ t’s a very different day at work where there are people around,” said Mick Thorpe. “It had been like a ghost town for the last few weeks. It was almost back to the ‘normal’ golf problems.”
Even though, as Scarcroft’s general manager pointed out, there was nothing normal about re-opening day at the West Yorkshire club. Thorpe was there early – on site at 6.30am for a day where the tee-sheet was booked solidly for 10-and-a-half hours.
When members did arrive, socially distanced, of course, as English clubs got back to business after nearly two months away on Wednesday, May 13, it was like a supermarket queue, with lines and a one-way system as members waited to retrieve their kit from lockers. There was a starter to ensure all the club’s new protocols were adhered to and, even though there wasn’t the buzz of a full clubhouse, there was still plenty of anticipation.
“There was a fair bit of planning, on theirs and the club’s behalf, to get it (reopening) done but it was a nice day and they were all chuffed to bits to be getting out there. They were shouting across the car park at each other.”
That it had proved such a success was not down to mere luck. Thorpe, and many of his fellow Yorkshire region members, had anticipated Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s lockdown announcement and started putting the wheels into motion.
“The fact that we knew some sort of announcement was coming on Sunday meant we hedged our bets and covered both bases just in case there was something,” he added. “We almost anticipated we could be dropped in it and say ‘go from Monday’, which we didn’t want. The Yorkshire managers have got a WhatsApp group and it was absolutely manic on Sunday night. Right up until about 10pm, we were all up and exchanging texts and ideas and plans. That came together fantastically well for all of us to help each other a little bit.”
Hundreds of miles away at Royal
Eastbourne, it was a similar scene at first light that greeted general manager Toby Anderson.
“I was very pleased to be able to re-open our courses, but not as pleased as the membership, especially after being locked indoors for two months,” he said.
Two-balls and extended 10-minute time slots were how members got back into action.
“There is signage on the guidelines for safe golf around the clubhouse and leading to the tees and friendly notices for the general public to ask them to follow the public footpaths across the course, as they have become used to free roaming during lockdown when taking their daily exercise.
“These signs seemed to work as there were no issues between
Golfers at Oswestry get ready to tee off as the club reopened
them and the golfers.”
Members were used to the safe play rules, Anderson added, as the measures had been in place in the run-up to the lockdown in March. But updating customers also proved key, with the office “in constant communication with the membership as things progressed towards opening up with the Government guidelines that would be in force”.
Ensuring those who wanted to got the opportunity to play was one of the key aims for Oswestry secretary John Evans.
“To manage demand we decided to put in place some restrictions, and this approach worked out very well as it has given everybody the chance to play,” he confirmed.
“The first day back (went) very well, thanks in no small part to the small management group working behind the scenes so we were ready for any eventuality.
“It would be remiss of me not to mention the tireless work put in by our Head Greenkeeper Gary Barnfield and his skeleton staff to ensure the course has been maintained to such a high standard for our return.”
Back at Scarcroft, the resumption was a relief for Thorpe, whose club had looked at a £100,000 loss depending on the length of lockdown. The immediate return brought – as it did for many clubs across the UK – an initial boost in membership. But no one is getting carried away. All are aware they’ve yet to experience the real sting in Covid-19’s tail.
“You are fearing the worst but we had two new members join on the first day and plenty of enquiries,” he concluded. “We don’t want to get ahead of the game. We’ve got to be very careful and very sensible.”
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From the HELPDESK
This month: What membership details should we display and... can golfers opt out of union fees?
I am looking for an article on Tour Operators Vat Exemptions first released 14th Feb 2018, are you aware if this still exists or are there any updates on vat exemptions applicable to tour operators? This is the link to the article: gcma.org.uk/members/news/ tour-operators-vat-exemption-ongreen-fees-confirmed/
Can the club display application forms for membership with personal details on the general notice board? Under GDPR you should not display any information that could personally identify an individual without their express consent.
The best practice in the case of application forms is to redact all the personal information, apart from the name, before displaying on the notice board.
Better still would be to have a page, which is password protected, on the members’ section of the club’s website where only members can see the applicants.
We’ve received a letter from MPLC (Motion Picture Licensing Company) saying we need a licence through them (similar to PPL/PRS, but for TV). Having done some research, it appears we don’t require this as we are just showing sport, music and news on the TV. Have you had any dealings with this company or can give any advice? You are correct. If you are only broadcasting sports, rolling news or music channels, either terrestrial or subscription, then you do not need a licence. You need to write to MPLC to confirm this and tell them you have taken all necessary steps to ensure you are not broadcasting any other moving images.
For further information, see our email article: gcma.org.uk/news/ motion-picture-licensing
I am having an increasing amount of people query the golf union fee when joining. Although still not the majority, we have people joining who don’t wish to play competitive golf and don’t wish to gain a handicap. Sometimes they object to paying the union fees. I am of the understanding that as a club we need to charge all members this. Am I correct or can people opt out of paying the union fees and the benefits it offers? Yes, you are correct. As a club affiliated to one of the Home Unions, you must collect and pass on a union fee for every playing member of your club.
Otherwise the club will not be authorised to issue CONGU handicaps, hold qualifying competitions and administer those handicaps. Individual playing members cannot opt out of the union fee regardless of their desire to hold a handicap.
The club has previously taken on students in the past for work experience, but I am not sure what legal and safety requirements are required. Could you please advise? Usually, the school supplying the student will have policies in place to ensure you are suitable for the placement. As I remember, there were quite a few forms to fill in. As far as the club are concerned, you should carry out a risk assessment for the activities the student will carry out. You also need to confirm with the club’s insurers that cover is available. Other than that, as long as you induct the student as you would a new staff member, and treat the student as such, following the school’s guidelines there shouldn’t be a problem.
An online helpdesk offers an advisory service to members. Visit gcma.org.uk/members to find out more.
HEART TO HEART
Steve Robinson visits Mid Herts Golf Club and speaks with General Manager Joy Pickard
Joy, you have been using rijo42 for a number of years now, from your experience what is it that sets us apart from other coffee providers?
Having been a customer of rijo42 at my previous golf club, on joining Mid Herts as the new General Manager I was able to convince the Board of Management to dispense with the basic coffee machine from behind the bar. The selling points that sets rijo42 apart from other coffee providers that won over not just the board, but also the members, is the consistent quality of the coffee and the ease of use with the machine. Members and visitors alike enjoy the opportunity of selecting their coffee option and being in control. The 10oz serving combined with the attractive crockery was also a winner and from a customer point of view, the prompt delivery service and efficiency of the technical team plays an important part in being able to provide the level of service the members expect.
I’m sure over the past few years you have witnessed a significant increase in sales of coffee, what’s your advice to anyone when it comes to maximising the potential in this area and how significant is it in maintaining a busy clubhouse?
To encourage people into the clubhouse they need a reason and the idea of meeting up with friends for a ‘coffee morning’ is something that rijo42 allows us to offer. By situating our coffee machine in a prominent position within the club, with easy access at all times, people are encouraged to make use of it. The pavement sign has proven a useful tool in attracting the local rambling groups to stop by the clubhouse for a coffee along the way and we are now offering a ‘cake of the day’ to accompany their coffee, giving our franchise caterer a small revenue stream. The Pilates and Yoga groups who attend daily/weekly sessions at our purpose-built studio on the upper floor often finish their morning with a coffee knowing that it is only 55 calories a cup, meaning they don’t feel guilty after a hard workout! The ‘take out’ cups are very popular with the early morning golfers who will purchase a few tokens in advance and can pop in and pick up a coffee – some even forgo the take out cup and fill up their own Thermos!
You have recently taken delivery of the new RSD Touch Brasil and cup warmer. Having used our equipment for many years, what’s the stand out features that impress you about the new model and how has it gone down with your members?
The new RSD Touch has given the option to offer decaffeinated coffee, which is proving popular and the touch screen operation has been a real winner. With the addition of the Cup Warmer, members are finding their coffee stays hot for longer, especially in the winter months. The RSD screen has given us another opportunity for advertising and as we become more familiar with the functionality, we look to maximise the use of the display. There is no better way to capture the attention of someone than when they are standing facing the coffee machine waiting for their coffee to be dispensed!
