Thursday 26th March Update 

Dear Members,
 
The Board of Drouin Golf & Country Club met this morning via videoconferencing. This was a first for us but due to the Covid-19 concerns it was decided not to have this face to face.  This will continue with all sub committee meetings until further notice.

Covid-19
It is not surprising the scaling down of activities at the Club was a prominent part of the discussions at the meeting.  The Club will follow closely the guidelines being recommended or imposed by both the Commonwealth Government and Victorian Government with interpretations for the Golf Sector being communicated through Golf Australia.  We continue to communicate regularly with our regional Golf Australia official, Darren Cole, as well as the daily ciruculars Golf Australia is emailing.  Members may wish to check out the Golf Australia website as they have daily updates https://www.golf.org.au/

For those who have been around the club house you would be aware that it is now closed and all functions have been cancelled.

Although limited access to food and beverages is available in a ‘take-away’ mode through the Pro-shop, all chairs and tables have been removed from outside. Members are encouraged and reminded not to congregate around the club-house. 

If you are there, only two customers are allowed in the pro-shop at any one time and do keep at least the 1.5 metre distance from other people.  Anthony has identified areas for customers to stand when they enter by an ‘X’ on the floor.  Please wait at the door of the Pro Shop and check before entering and adhere to the social distancing indicated on the floor.  Some members continue to enter without checking so please do make sure you adhere to the social distancing regulations advised by the Governments.

To provide more distance between members, we will be moving the spacing between golfing groups to a 12-minute interval. This will commence next week (if we are still able to run competitions) and is consistent with what many clubs are now enacting across Australia.  If you have doubts about your tee-off times, contact the pro-shop.

When you arrive for your tee off and finish your round, please be very aware not to congregate around the Pro Shop and be aware of the space between each other.  This applies to the putting green and throughout your round at the tees and on the greens.

Could all members please take a sand bucket and keep it at the end of the round and store it with their golf bag.  This will assist in using and handling your own golf equipment.  Do not put sand buckets back into the collection bin.

In all communication we are emphasising the importance of members taking care of their own health but particularly not exposing our staff to the virus.

We are fully anticipating a total lockdown in the near future and will communicate further should this occur.

  
Activity and Finances

In the month of February, which now seems a long time ago, the weather was not conducive to a lot of golf. So, our revenue from the golf course was down although a good number of functions were held.

Overall, our financial position is stabilising.  Year to date our EBITDA is $20,027 which demonstrates the rewards from the strict financial stewardship over the past 8 months.  It has been many years since the club has seen consistent surplus month to month.  Unfortunately, there will be challenges ahead relating to clubhouse operations shutting down and fixed costs to maintain the clubhouse.  With the clubhouse shut and decreased activity, the club house staff profile has been reduced and we are actively looking at all the Government support packages to assist our viability. 

At present the clubhouse is operating with Michelle, who has taken on a broader role to assist during this period with takeaway services and maintain stock and communications; Leanne who is diligently sanitising and disinfecting on a daily basis the internal, outside area and the course toilets.  The course continues to be maintained and managed by Ryan with assistance from Ben and Rob. 

There is an increasing need to replace our out of date machinery and undertake essential repairs and maintenance around the club-house. So, although we are starting to track a small profit for the year, with key expenditures and the impact of Covid-19, the Board is not confident of a strong finish to the year.

Volunteer support both in the clubhouse and on the course have had to cease for the moment and hopefully will resume as soon as we get through the Covid-19 restrictions.  Thank you once again to the fantastic support our volunteers have been doing in both the clubhouse area and the course.  You have contributed significantly to the positive financial position the club is in at this time.

Continue to wash your hands and social distance.

Diane Sullivan
Chair, Board of Directors