GMAQ - Golf Management Australia Queensland Spring 2017 | Page 19

GOLF CLUB
CLUB NAME:
ASHGROVE GOLF CLUB
Location: 863 Waterworks Road, The Gap,
QLD, 4061
Manager: Michael Ronan
Year that Club commenced trade: 1939
Rounds per year: 24000
Total Members:
600 Golf Members, 1350 Social Members
team. Presently the Club is investigating
opportunities to lease underutilised land
to a retirement village operator. Such an
arrangement would enable the Club to build
a new clubhouse and realise a new income
stream to support and improve the operation.
Careful negotiation and analysis is required
to ensure the best outcome for the Club as
there is only one opportunity to get the best
outcome for members.
ANY MAJOR WORKS BEING PLANNED
FOR THE CLUB (OR RECENTLY
COMPLETED)?
The Club has recently completed an irrigation
project on holes 10, 11 and 12. This project
was made possible through
grant funding afforded by the
State Government to the tune of
$100k. The old irrigation system
was put in place in 1986 and was
constantly requiring repairs and
maintenance. The new system
will allow these resources to be
directed to other areas in need of
attention.
WHAT DO YOU SEE AS YOUR BIGGEST
CHALLENGE AS A CLUB IN THE
COMING YEARS?
Attracting and retaining members is the
biggest challenge industry wide. With an aging
membership, the focus recently has been on
boosting junior and intermediate (18-28) aged
members. A major challenge is breaking down
the perceived barriers, particularly for females,
young golfers and people who are new to the
game. We aim to make the Club as welcoming
as possible so that people have fond memories
of their time here and want to return. There
is a fine balance between the traditions of the
game and the ever-moving social norms.
SPRING 2017
I GMAQ
  19