Abnormal Weather ?

This winter golf courses, particularly in the South of England, have seen more rain fall on their hallowed ground than at any time previously recorded. This in turn is having a disastrous effect on the Club’s finances and expectations for the coming season. Many Clubs have barely had a full day’s golf since October and this can only mean one thing, a severe lack of income at a time when the overheads are still running at near full capacity.

The handling of this imbalance is now being considered by many Clubs as a means of survival and this will mean either the reduction of staff and overheads or the increase of income, or some of both - none of which are palatable or easy. Any reduction in overheads will inevitably result in a diminution of the services offered by the Club. Any increase in income will be welcomed but it will not come cheaply, and will certainly come too late for this year’s budget.

Thus :

• spending plans will have to be reviewed with finance options considered, see GCS March 1997, page 118;

• the number of full time staff may have to be reduced and the hours of part-time staff further limited;

• the Club’s mechanic will become even more valuable in keeping the older machines running for a further year at least;

• schemes for fund-raising will be re-examined, this time for the survival of the Club rather than for a specific project;

• barriers may be lowered to encourage the recruitment of more members of all categories;

• introductory subscription schemes etc, to be considered, that may help to retain Members;

• ladies may be required to pay the full subscription in line with their equal voting rights, empowered by the Human Rights Act; and

• alternatives uses of the premises may need to be sought.

Some of the above may have tax and VAT complications but they are worth consideration. We recommend that advice from the Club’s accountant be sought on the chosen solution before adoption, as to its suitability.

It is hoped that the weather this winter is a one-off, otherwise the industry will have to have a drastic rethink about the long-term implications for this sport.