Dear Members
I trust you all managed the Easter break in its new form and did not experience too many difficulties.
In today’s update I will outline the problems we are experiencing regarding our current Golf opportunities at the Club and also outline what we are doing in an attempt to get as many members on the course as possible.
Current difficulties:
· Government restriction of playing group numbers to 2
· End of daylight saving and thus reducing daylight hours for tee times (we currently lose 7 minutes per week of daylight)
· Many members altered work circumstances leading to increased demand from both members and public
· Reduction in Saturday/ Sunday sports commitments to children.
· Need for people to get out of the house (with the current self-isolation policy measures) to a sport they can participate in and have some social interaction!
Demand Increase:
In 2019 April Wednesday competitions had 215 players on average over 4 weeks. Less than 5 on the wait list.
In 2020 we can only accommodate 160-170 for 18 holes and 30 for 10 hole comp. We have now seen wait lists of 60 or more on Wednesday’s sheets.
In 2019 April Saturday demand had been reducing. Average sheet had 185 players over 4 weeks and no wait list.
In 2020 Saturday demand has hit record levels with 170 full competition plus 30 available 10 hole, with 50-60 on the wait list.
**Thus, on these two days 230 to 250 are looking to book for a game with 80% or so getting one.
To accommodate the wait list players who miss out, we have introduced preferential booking for the next weeks sheet to try to achieve equitable access for all members (see details below)
Despite this it is likely you will miss out on a game at some stage or play without your usual partners at times that are not your normal spots.
Sunday also has seen increased demand from members and public. We can accommodate 120 members with some proposed increases to tee time availability. You can appreciate that by increasing member access, public play will reduce and we will likely see reduction our income from green fees.
Tuesday Open competition is going gang busters with increased uptake by visitors and members. To book for this you need to look at sheets 3 weeks out!
Thursday competition seems to managing the load well and no changes are expected there at this time.
Monday Medley competition is not fully booked.
We apologise for this but we are definitely trying our hardest to satisfy all members
***The balance we seek to achieve is member satisfaction with least possible reduction in revenue.
Solutions introduced at this point: Unfortunately, the solutions are more difficult.
· We have increased the hours of tee off times from first light (next week 6.15am) through to latest times allowing time to finish in daylight( 1.30pm) Public play after this.
· Our time slot is at 5 minute intervals and this is higher than most other surrounding clubs. This allows around 160-170 member players in pairs to participate, less than demand unfortunately.
· To give more members some access we have started a 10 hole comp on Wednesday and Saturday which allows another 30 players a game.
· Priority booking for following week’s sheet introduced for those who missed out and despite registering on the wait list. If on the previous wait list and you did not get a game, this initiative allows you to ring on the normal booking day, one hour before (1pm) the start time of 2pm of the booking process. You will get priority booking opportunity.
· To satisfy increased demand we have eliminated visitor bookings from Saturday and Wednesday sheets and are reviewing participation by various member categories in these overbooked competitions.
Results of interventions and changes:
· Increase tee times by 30 on the busiest competition days
· Equitable solution for those who miss out on a game
· Compliance with social distancing on the course and satisfying the guidelines provided by government
Difficulties so far:
· We have observed that the new arrangements have seen some evidence of return slow play resulting from failure to keep up with the group in front. This is problematic for late finishing groups who may be finishing in the dark. A ranger will be on the course reviewing progress and positioning of all players.
· Booking process is not perfect but improving and your patience is appreciated.
· Staff abuse at any time is not tolerated. If this is experienced by any staff member, you can expect significant action by the Board.
· The system of booking means you have to be available at the booking time to get the best opportunity to get the booking you want.
· Loitering. We all miss our social interaction after a game. To assist the Club to avoid a fine, please vacate the carpark and clubhouse precinct once cards are returned and short chats are complete.
· Some players are booking and not turning up for their tee time. This is very poor form as your partner cannot compete in the comp! Also a lonely round. We are recording those who do this and if you are one of them in the future you will receive a notification letter and disciplinary action will follow.
In closing it is fair to say that these are certainly testing times. We will be closely monitoring competition fields and addressing the difficulties above. We are considering all options and requests to address members satisfaction. If you have other helpful suggestions, please email the General Manager on manager@mvgc.com.au
Regards
Graeme MacDougal
Club Captain
