President Georgie Sanders – 2021 Annual Report
On behalf of the board of South West Golf Association Inc. I present the 2021 presidents report for your review and consideration.
COVID -19 has given us another extraordinary year for golf. Lockdowns have been hugely frustrating for everyone involved. The golf industry has had to adapt to all that COVID-19 has served up. Government regulations has forced many clubs to re -evaluate their business plans, working through the impact on staff, members, and their community. Courses needed to be maintained, club and district events cancelled or rescheduled, some at very short notice causing considerable financial loss.
The SWGA Board would like to thank all the district clubs and their members for their patience and commitment in such difficult times.
The year started off with members of the board going out into the district, meeting with club executives, managers, and member representatives. This was very beneficial for all involved and helped to develop a stronger relationship. It gave a forum for questions, discussion, and suggestions. We plan to continue this in 2022, the SWGA is there for the clubs and their members providing experience and opportunities for all to achieve excellence in event management.
Our revised strategic plan reinforces our commitment to delivering events, junior development activities and programs which suits the needs of the members of our affiliated clubs and the wider golf community. Although COVID-19 has impacted our ability to deliver many tournaments and development opportunities it has also given us a situation of great opportunity. With so many sports impacted with COVID regulations, golf numbers remain strong and the challenge is to keep their interest in golf as other sports return. We want to support all our member clubs reap the benefits of this opportunity to grow the game. Golf needs to be inclusive and accessible for all.
As of April 2021, the attached chart shows breakdown of membership in our District. Over 12,000 have maintained their club membership. It remains a focus for us all to keep this interest in golf an opportunity for future membership and event participation.
I feel confident that the SWGA is moving forward as the enthusiasm of playing golf gets stronger. Your SWGA board has had an opportunity to review not only its board structure but the schedule of calendar of events. Out of this has come discussion to minimize board numbers and have sub committees. Board members need to focus on strategy not golf operations. A match sub-committee could sit under the board. The
Board position of Golf Operations Chair would be able to choose a sub-committee of mixed gender. Further discussion is required by the Board members with a view to present any changes to our club delegates for discussion and vote.
2021 saw our first joint golf operations meeting have an equal approach where informal two-way discussion was beneficial. The sharing of fresh ideas has given the board a clear pathway in 2022, to work closer and gain more involvement by host clubs in helping to deliver district events.
Events need to be promoted and advertised extensively to obtain numbers that provide clubs reasons to provide their courses in support for our events. This will entail review of and better alignment of existing District events.
Although many events were cancelled both men and women’s pennant were completed. Our women’s golf operations committee under the chair of Wendy Tottenham worked together with our member clubs to review women’s pennant and through a formal process new conditions have been developed for 2022.This will again be reviewed post season and any necessary changes will be made accordingly.
The men’s conditions have also been reviewed for 2022.
Our junior pennant is underway at time of writing this report. And I thank Alex Nivarovich, our junior coordinator for his diligence in getting the season possible. This will be Alex’s’ final year with SWGA, and we all thank him for his passion and work with our juniors.
Unfortunately, Golf Australia had to cancel our Country Teams Week for 2021. I must thank Greg Bishop and Margie Black for their hard work in preparing both teams to participate. They will be back again in 2022.
Our successful, inaugural Presidents Cup was held at 13th Beach in August. All 26 clubs were invited to enter a mixed team of 6. Full field of 108 with a waiting list was the result. Our Men’s Chair Graeme Mathers worked extremely hard to ensure this event was not only well patronized but enjoyed by all who played and got maximum exposure in the golfing industry.
We all hope our golf calendar will return to some normality in 2022. There will be review of some of the district events especially the men events as previous year’s show participation to be declining. Creative thinking and promotion will be important. Boosting participation and meeting the needs of the wider golfing community is a priority.
The SWGA website and face book page are your ports of call for information about District news and events. Clubs are encouraged to use these portals to promote their own events, items of interest and significant results. Golf box software has simplified entries, payments, draws, results and order of merit. Team App although very successfully utilised for junior golf needs to be adopted by the district as another communication tool. Stacey Thomas our media /promotions officer has embarked on the challenge of keeping us informed and I thank her for the time she has spent reviewing website layout.
In April this year we had a successful application for funding under Sporting Club Grants Program. This funding came under Organisational Capacity and will go to redevelopment of our website and social media platforms. I thank Ange Foott for her work in this outcome.
A close relationship with Golf Australia is important for all of us and we must thank Chris Crabbe our Regional Development Officer for South West and Western District for his contribution to all facets of District golf. His work with clubs, schools, and the board in providing support, and resources is greatly appreciated. He is clearly passionate that golf remains strong in our District.
Recently SWGA has been in talks with Geelong Community Foundation in setting up a partnership to support their work in our community. GCF launched in 2000 to develop a significant fund with a permanent capital base, which when invested grows substantially. The interest on the fund is used to make charitable grants benefiting the Geelong Region In 2021, over $1,000,000 was paid to community organisations by way of the annual grant program. The Geelong region has needs which are not being met from other funding sources
SWGA has agreed to be involved and will be planning a week of golf to raise considerable funds in September/ October 2022 which will give all clubs the opportunity to share in this exciting initiative. We want this week to be inclusive offering events for all. A sub-committee to bring this event together is needed and I ask of any club member with interest to contact Graeme Mathers or myself.
“SWGA meets our Community”.
Finally, I wish to thank all Board members for their support and encouragement in my decision to take on the role as President of SWGA. We all look forward to a full year of golf in 2022 and if you want to get involved in any way please contact any of our Board for further discussions.
I would also like to thank you our member clubs and their members for your continued support.
Good Golfing,
Georgie Sanders
President
South Western Golf Association