President’s Report

For the second consecutive year we faced unusual challenges. In the first half there was continuation of a raft of public health orders and in the second half, an unseasonal and intermittent deluge of rain. Our Treasurer makes mention of both Covid related restrictions and the unfortunate course closures in his report. Regrettably our hopes for a “normal” year may well be unfounded as meteorological forecasts indicate an above average rainfall for most of the east of Australia over the spring. We have managed this before and we will manage it again, remaining confident that we will continue to enjoy the unwavering support of Members. The Board is indebted for that support over the difficult times of 2021/22.

The surplus attributable to Members of $620k is an outstanding result given the uncontrollable limitations of trading due to Covid and to rain. However, it must be noted that this included settlement of the long running litigious matter of some $300k and so reminds us not to be complacent and that continued focus and attention to margins and fees is essential. That we were able to reduce the bank loan to zero and record cash assets of $308k at balance day underscores the financial health of our Club and the Boards prudent control of resources. It also highlights the efficient administration of activity by Management. An appropriate line of credit remains in place to service liquidity as cash runs down in anticipation of subscription revenue in April of 2023.

We welcomed 138 new Members to our Club during the year which after the passing of some and resignations of others was a net increase of 51. In perspective the resignation rate of just on 6% is the lowest for a number of years, it includes a number of juniors who find other things to do, employment transfers, retirements that include moving away from Sydney, in some cases incapacity and a small number who choose not to continue with golf. Healthy membership numbers and continued growth is good news however it does rely on Members making their friends and colleagues aware of the benefits of our Club.

As I have previously pointed out, subscription income is the number of members multiplied by the subscription amount, price times volume. If volume rises the price can be stabilised, but if volume falls the price needs to rise to maintain service levels. Active recruiting therefore has a strong element of self-interest.

The passing of Members is noted elsewhere in this report and where it highlights the remarkable fact that John Heffernan, Gwen Symons, Gordon Winch, Dot Lawson and Geoff Travis, were Members of our Club for more than 50 years. Longevity of membership is a well-established cultural norm of our Club, long may it continue.

While the Covid pandemic and recent weather events have inconvenienced Members and interrupted the flow and rhythm of our Club they have also had a significant effect on our staff. Younger employees who work part time rely on the income and when hours are reduced, so is their pay. Those who work on our course were also inconvenienced not directly in their take home pay but in the big wet, some were asked to take holidays because there was little they could do due to the weather. We are privileged to have a dedicated staff who serve enthusiastically with Members interests at heart. I pay special tribute to the leadership of our General Manager Barnaby Sumner and his direct reports Craig Usher, Liam Ash, Neil Rolfe, Peter Barter and Kristen Ramirez.

I would also like to acknowledge the work of our retiring Course Superintendent, Richard Kirkby (Pictured) who we farewelled at a memorable dinner on 4 May where Darcy Cluff delivered a humorous toast to Richard covering his 28 years of service at Pennant Hills. Richard responded in his customary humble manner. He was accompanied by his partner Michelle, daughter Stella and extended members of his family Jim and Jen Maxwell as well as Geoff and Glenndid Kirkby. A number of current Members of the Course Team and others who had worked with Richard over the years were also able to attend. On behalf of the Club, I was able to present Richard with an Omega Seamaster watch.

It is proper to make special mention of the Board Committees and acknowledge the leadership of the Chair of each Committee. The work of the

The Membership Committee is chaired by Sue Fabian and as she points out in her report, membership of our Club is the highest it has been for 5 years. Much is due to active strategies in the Get Started and Try Before You Join programs as well as stable membership categories that are rationally priced and offer members a degree of choice as they manage their time in golf. The inaugural Emeritus Lunch was a resounding success. The Voice of the Member survey and the focus groups of younger Members are initiatives that provide valuable feedback to the Committee and to the Board in developing strategies to maximise the membership and member experience.

It is a condition that new Members must attend the Member Induction Evening before their membership is activated. These nights allow me as Chairman to welcome new Members, they give the Captain and the Director of Golf the opportunity to outline course behaviour and etiquette and the evening also provides the Chair of the Membership Committee to explain how the Club is governed and what is expected of Members. The evening closes with dinner for new Members with an invitation for their proposers and seconders to join in.

Our Captain, Damian Maguire has had a demanding first year in his role and as Chair of the Course and Playing Committee. He welcomed Liam Ash as successor to Richard Kirkby and set about working with Liam on a review of equipment, complement of staff and assessment of immediate course development priorities. The rain events necessitated on again/off again course closures, decisions to not allow carts on some days and the rescheduling of a number of important competitions on our golfing calendar. That we were able to get through most of it can be attributed to his leadership and ability to work with Liam and with our Director of Golf, Neil Rolfe. Both have provided Damian with textbook support. Some events were postponed to the 2022/23 year and were held as we were completing this report. Unusually then, the next annual report covering the 2022/2023 Centenary Celebrations will also include recognition of this year’s event winners in the Masters Pennants, Presidents Cup and Captains Cup as well as the same competitions in the Centenary Year.

Damian’s leadership as Captain is one thing to applaud, but his contribution to the development of the course master plan is an outstanding piece of work for which I must make special mention. He has provided our consultants with survey work and advice that under other circumstances may have been at a great expense to the Club. Damian is a member of a small project sub-committee reporting to the Board that comprises me, Liam Ash, Neil Rolf and Barnaby Sumner. He carried the conversation by Zoom and by email with our consultants. The Board confidently expects to have a concept design ready to discuss with a small member-based review group in September. This will be followed by a presentation to Members toward the end of this calendar year, a commitment that we made in last year’s annual report to Members.

Mark Bradbury has led the Planning Committee which has made remarkable progress over the course of this year. His committee drove the Voice of the Member survey that underpinned the Strategic Plan that was presented to members in the final quarter of the year. The Committee also has developed processes to measure and monitor progress on each of the strategic streams which are outlined in their report. The monitoring process is an invaluable tool to maintain focus and discipline for the Board in its stewardship of our Club.

The House Committee is chaired by Lesley Roberts and while we all have suffered the uncertainty of being on or off the course or complying with public health orders, her Committee has responded positively to the consequential challenges of maintaining a profitable and interesting social event calendar. Lesley mentions the decision made during the year to bring the History Group under the umbrella of the House Committee. A smart move, long overdue as it now provides a voice to the Board for the volunteers who manage and care for this extraordinary asset of Pennant Hills Golf Club. The Centenary Committee led by Jenny Harvey has put in place a program of events and celebrations for 2023. This is on the web site.

Sound financial outcomes do not just happen, they are planned and managed. The Finance Committee is chaired by our Treasurer David Blackshaw who enjoys the capable advice and productive support of the Clubs Finance and Administration Manager, Craig Usher. David’s report provides informed commentary on our accounts and I commend it to you.

The Voice of the Member survey mentioned both the number and quality of reciprocal Clubs and on reflection, the Board realised that it was a feature of Club life that had not, in more recent years, received the attention it deserved. In response, a Reciprocal Committee chaired by David Thorn was formed. The

Committee included David Blackshaw and Damian Maguire as well as Club members Derek Downes, Michael Day and Russell Main. They quickly agreed to be guided by the aphorism that ‘”you are known by the company you keep” and set about refreshing existing relationships as well as seeking new ones. A number of reciprocal visits are planned for the coming year.

The Foundation met a number of times during the year and the Trustees have focused primarily on preparing plans for a Golf Academy on the site of the old Professional Shop. You will see in Ross Jackson’s report that the design is complete and that a working model of the facility with a “fly through” has been commissioned. Architect and consultant fees incurred in the process have been provided by members of the Foundation. The Club has allocated a small amount to production of the model but does not plan to financially assist construction, which is the responsibility of the Foundation. Club resources in the coming three to four years are earmarked for completion of the Course Master Plan. The support of members of the Foundation is greatly appreciated; a list of members who have joined this year is included in this report.

It is a special pleasure to read Judy Trickett’s report of the achievements of the women Members of our Club. Judy thanks the Board for support ensuring the women belong to a vibrant and prosperous Club. I think it might be the other way round. That we have a vibrant and prosperous Club is due to the generous and enthusiastic participation of the women of Pennant Hills Golf Club.

Late in the year Andrew Richards (Pictured), our former Club Champion and the previous NSW Amateur Golf Champion transitioned to the professional ranks. A successful fund-raising program led by Ray Dearlove with the support of the House Committee enabled the presentation of a cheque of $57,000 to Andrew to soften the impact of the early and traditionally lean years of being a professional golfer. We wish Andrew well and thank Members who took part in the appeal.

In closing and on behalf of your Board, we look forward to the celebrations of our Centenary Year and the joys it will bring. The party promises to be exciting, both on and off the course.

Michael Rowan

President