Grim's Dyke Golf Club
GRIM’S DYKE GOLF CLUB - STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS
GRIM’S DYKE GOLF CLUB - STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS
Steve McSweeney: Chairman.
INTRODUCTION:
This has been my first year as Chairman, and wow – what a year the club has had – what a difference a year makes.
In Adrian’s address at this time last year we were planning to manage through some tough economic times, increases in inflation and energy costs, a cost-of-living crisis. We modelled and planned for members to have less discretionary spend and the impact that that means for our business, your club.
What was true then is naturally true now, by owning all of our assets (including the land) we are in control of most of the important costs. In an environment where industry experts predicted that all clubs (apart from those with waiting lists) should budget for a decline in membership of 10% - we were able to cut our cloth accordingly and with a bit of luck and a following wind we would navigate our way through to sunnier climes.
It is a wonderful feeling that in my first address to you I can tell you the potential jeopardies of 2023 seem to be disappearing through the rear-view mirror and that as we enter the new year, we all have a huge reason to be optimistic.
2023 IN REVIEW:
Over the last several years, one of the biggest challenges to attracting and retaining members and it’s associated ongoing bleed on finances has been the ongoing issues surrounding the 14th hole. We are delighted that in 2023 we finally opened the brand-new hole, we can absorb all its costs this financial year and we’ve reached final settlement with the plaintiff.
Is it any co-incidence that far from the declines predicted by our governing bodies, 2023 saw us grow our membership from 323 to 377.
2023 welcomed Gill Smith as our first ever female Club Captain and we participated in unprecedented success on the pitch winning eight external Middlesex Club Competitions. We continue to evolve the organisation and associated governance to modernise your club and the first incarnation of this evolution is the Membership and Marketing Committee which amongst other things is focusing on external digital and physical communication to build “brand awareness”.
Participation in roll-ups is growing, Gill and Jules are working with Middlesex Golf on programs to bring women and youngsters into our game, and social events are increasingly well attended.
2023 was the first time in what seems like ages we exit the year with the same leadership team that entered it. It’s been an absolute pleasure to work with Colin, Jules, Dan and Jason and their respective teams – you are all “easy to do business with” a massively important attribute to attracting and retaining members and making the place a welcoming and friendly experience for visitors. As well as the staff I also want to thank all those volunteers who freely give their time to work on committee, support the greens team and do a myriad of “one off” jobs to create the unique community feel that is Grim’s Dyke Golf Club.
CATERING:
Despite our tangible successes 2023 was not without challenges – the most exercising turned out to be the catering franchise.
Getting this element of our “mix” right is one of our highest priorities and as I write I am pleased that Louise has agreed to take the lead as a Catering & Events Manager and will be ably supported by Hope in the kitchen. Initial feedback from both members and attendees from outside functions has been positive.
OUR FIRST FEMALE CLUB CAPTAIN:
Of all our successes this year if I had to pick out one it would be the history making appointment of Gill Smith. Not only is this the first time in our 114-year history but it is also only the third time in the history of Middlesex Golf. Gill has been an inspirational leader both on and off the course and has been readily accepted into the rapidly modernising Society of London Captains. Outside of her duties as Captain Gill has tirelessly promoted all the initiatives to try and get more females into golf and specifically into our club.
EXTERNAL CLUB SUCCESSES:
It is fair to say its London Bus time for external success in 2023. If we win one external championship, we are happy – but eight?
Congratulations to the teams and their leaders who put together some competitive “win focussed” teams and certainly had the Grim’s Dyke name blazing in the best and brightest lights possible.
PRESIDENT: CHANGE OF PROTOCOL
On the surface this might not seem it but in my view is an important signal as to our collective intentions to modernise our club. The tradition has always been that the President is an honorary position held by a former Captain in strict order of their year of office. If you spin forward several years this would mean that at some stage I (God willing) would become President and Kevin (God help us) would follow.
But in working with England Golf it is very clear that there is a very real role for a President in a 21st century members golf club. Not just honorary but a person who can provide strategic direction, knowledge, guide the Board, offering wisdom on golfing best practise and most importantly be able to liaise effectively with the outside bodies and agencies that have resources our club can access to increase our likelihood of success.
This person doesn’t have to be a former Captain; there are plenty of members who have tons to contribute who for whatever reason chose not to be Captain when it was their time.
We are delighted with the changes the Presidents have proposed thereby allowing, in this case, Ray Andrews a term of office. His skill set, experiences as Chairman of Middlesex Golf and contacts benefit the whole club and do indeed increase our visibility and access to a wealth of resources.
ARTICLES AND RULES UPDATED
Good corporate governance is like a good football referee – only to be seen when necessary. Corporate Governance sets out the objectives of the club, how it will be run in terms of procedures and processes; and how officers and officials are elected, terms of office and what recourse members have when something goes wrong.
As part of the work the Board have been doing with England Golf to modernise the club and create a space that each member can enjoy and thrive it was clear several things needed updating and an enormous amount of work has been going on to achieve this.
The key takeaways are that we will be up to date and conform to best practise.
Most importantly from members perspective it will mean that more Board power will be delegated to members who will sit on increased number of advisory committees, the clunky need to elect a few committee members at AGM will no longer be required and the goal is that the leadership of the club becomes a wider network of skills based volunteers rather than a small coterie centred on “famous names” or “ex-Captains”.
LOOKING FORWARD TO 2024
2024 will see the Board continue to advance along the path to deliver a modern, dynamic, popular members club purposed for the 21st century.
The Board will complete the task of updating the Articles of Association and the Rules and Regulations and finalise the remaining “good governance” requirements. We will complete and implement the five-year course development plan and evolve the marketing plan to support the organic growth of core membership categories by 10% year on year through FY28/29. We will continue to invest in the infrastructure required by the Greenkeepers and keep abreast and invest where necessary to stay current with prevailing legislation.
As we evolve towards a “role based” organisation we will also increase the number of volunteer-based committees supporting all the disparate functions required to create an inclusive, friendly, dynamic “Members Club”. We plan to continue our objective of being one of, if not the best value members club inside the M25.
IN SUMMARY:
I hope you share my optimism for the future. Exiting the covid enhanced internal and external disruption of those years I really feel that 2023 was a year of consolidation, consistency and the green shoots we witnessed should really bloom in 2024.
We have a Board and a Management Team who both love this club and have a vision for how it can successfully and relevantly develop without ever losing sight of our history or the DNA that makes us unique.
Whilst we on the Board never take things for granted we want to thank you our members for the absolute loyalty you have shown us and hope that we can continue to count on your support as we aim to grow the core membership with people who want to play sport in a friendly but competitive space where everyone is included and “everyone gets a game”.
I look forward to seeing you in 2024.
Steve McSweeney
Chairman
Created by intelligentgolf version 10.1.2.
