Monash 2022 Subscriptions Plus Q & A

Attention Members,

Happy New Year to all

The Board is pleased to confirm the 2022 subscription rates for all categories. In arriving at these rates, we have taken into account a raft of variables, including: expected member attrition levels; future new member demand; both current and future capital works expenses; the rapidly escalating cost of buying and maintaining equipment; and the challenge in attracting and retaining our excellent personnel. In addition, we would like to provide our superintendent, Rob Sain, with additional resources to take the course to the next level.

We were also very conscious of the need to ensure subscription levels remain comparable to our peer group of courses (which we believe to be Killara; Pymble; Manly; Pennant Hills; Concord and Cromer).  With all of above in mind, the following represent the 2022 subscriptions for each of the main categories:

2022/23 Subscriptions and comparative  Annual Subscription Average of Peer Courses.

 
Some anticipated common Questions and Answers
 
Q. How is the Club Travelling Financially?
A. The past two years have proven to be difficult for all businesses and Monash is no exception. However, with our prudent fiscal management and continued Government assistance over the period, the financial position of the club remains strong and the Club is in a position to continue to invest in the course and facilities in a planned progressive manner.
 
Q. Were there any alternatives to the Platinum/7-day merger
A. Firstly, we all owe a vote of thanks to those who adopted the Platinum Category in the early days of 2014 and 2015. It allowed the Club, at a time when we were struggling for members, to reduce the annual cost of the remaining 7 Day members, thus allowing improved retention. However, whereas the Platinum take-up in the early days was low, the last few years has seen demand soar and a cap being placed on the number of Platinum members, resulting in a significant waiting list evolving since then.

The Board looked at various options, such as Grandfathering the category and/or substantially increasing the price of the category, but in the end, having a 2-tiered 7-day category was deemed both unsustainable and inequitable, hence the merger. A further simplification is that 40 year members who were previously rewarded with advanced booking rights will now be rewarded with a 10% discount on their subscriptions.
 
It should be noted that no other premium club offers a Platinum type of membership category and as has been said consistently over the last few years, “we are all in this together”. Members should be aware that 5 of the 9 Directors who voted unanimously on this change are in fact Platinum members.
 
 
Q. Does the Board expect more pressure on time sheets? 
A. There will always be pressure for early Saturday and Sunday times, particularly for weekends in winter. However, many of the changes being implemented are designed to reduce the pressure on timesheets, which has been at near all time highs due predominately to the effects of COVID. To assist with this goal, the Board continue to monitor historical attrition rates; historical demand across all days; projected new membership; the lack of current travel due to COVID; the lack of kids sport for the same reason and the trend towards working from home.

Obviously no one has a crystal ball in respect of demand, however when all of the above are considered and managed, then we expect a drop in rounds played. By definition this will reduce the demand for times and assist with the Club’s goals of providing more flexibility for members and an increased ability to bring more visitors to the club.
 
 
Q. How does the 5-day category fit into the Club’s plans? 
A. The 5-day category is a major part of our membership and there are no plans to change any of its benefits. The subscription levels are now approximately 5/7ths of the 7-day membership, including the ability to book on a Sunday, which provides a strong level of equity between categories.
 
Q. Will we still be able to book in groups of 4 once the 7-day and Platinum categories are merged.
A. Yes, all booking processes will remain unchanged, other than all 7-day members having equal rights (from 1 April 2022).
 
 
Q. What is Monash’s attitude towards the women’s membership? 
A. The women’s membership is a critical and cohesive part of our future plans. Aside from investing in pathways to attract new members, we continue to explore ways of providing a course that works for all parts of the membership, including trialing the new Waratah tees, which should provide more options and enjoyment for all. We are committed to providing a progressive attitude to women’s golf, in line with the 2025 Golf Australia Vision. The women’s President is invited into monthly Board meetings and 3 out of the 9 Board of Directors are women, including Lyn Gray who is our Vice-President.

Q. I am currently a 40 year member. What will happen to my advanced booking right? 
A. As mentioned above, there will be no advanced booking rights and all 40 year members will now receive a 10% subscription discount on their applicable membership category.
 
Q. Have the Board considered opening other membership categories?
A. The recent changes to the By-Laws allows the Board to open up other categories. However, at this time we are not considering opening up other major categories as we believe we have the correct balance of membership options. We will however be making an amendment in respect of better defining Junior Member Categories in the next few months.
 
 
Q. Are we closed to New Members?
A. As part of the overall strategy of reducing pressure on the course, all membership categories now have a wait-list. Our General Manager, John Harrison, in consultation with the Membership Committee, has discretion as to how these wait-lists are managed, to ensure alignment with the strategy. Any new 5 or 7 day members who are approved for membership will be Provisional members and have delayed booking rights to the timesheet. On average, and for various reasons we lose up to 80 members per year across all categories, so we must continue to be proactive with new members. Members inviting friends, upgrades from Active Green and our beginner clinics go a long way to replacing those who sadly leave us.  
 
Q. How do all our subscriptions get spent?
A. All Clubs are not for profit entities. So in effect, your subscriptions can only be spent in managing the course and its facilities. In recent years the club has spent a significant amount in implementing a 6-stage irrigation project which is almost complete; new pathways; a new Professional Shop; a renovated Members’ Bar; a multitude of new course machines; a new cart fleet with GPS, along with scores of minor projects which were all executed to improve your experience. All of this whilst the course is now being presented, week-in, week-out, in arguably its best ever condition. Going forward we have committed to the new 17th hole and 18th tee surrounds, whilst several other project concepts including renovation of the men’s locker room are progressing.

Q. Why do staff seem hard to come by in recent times?
A. In recent times all golf courses have struggled to attract and retain staff. This is particularly applicable to our course maintenance staff where we are currently 3 staff down. Qualified green keeping staff are becoming incredibly hard to find. All courses are struggling to find suitable applicants or any applicants at all. The industry is not attracting apprentices. Like many clubs are already doing, if necessary we will look to engage Northern Hemisphere staff to assist in summer months. COVID has also wreaked havoc with our Clubhouse staff, many of whom have had to isolate at short notice meaning that at times we simply cannot open the bar and/or bistro.
 
 
Q. Does the Club envisage placing a “Levy” on Members?
A. The Club has not “levied” members since the 5 year Levy voted for by members in 2011 and does not currently foresee any need to introduce such a levy. The only circumstances where such a levy would be considered is where there is a major event that could significantly erode the financial viability of the Club.
 
Q. The joining fees at neighbouring clubs are much higher than Monash. Will our joining Fee increase?
A. Most likely. Recent benchmarking against other clubs shows we are well behind in this area. As usual however, we need to be mindful of just what we are offering. Monash is first and foremost a club focussed heavily on the golf course, whilst others, due  predominately to their location, focus more on the social aspects of their clubs. Creating demand and maintaining financial stability of the club remain high on our priorities.

Q. What are the Board’s current 5 goals.
A. As previously alluded to, the Board is focussed on continually delivering a beautifully presented and challenging course. It should be noted however that as a Board we have to remain flexible. COVID has created challenges that none of us were able to foresee, and we will therefore continue to react in accordance with current needs. The 5 points below are our key current priorities:

1. Continue with Irrigation plan and complete the final two stages.
2. Rebuild of 17th green, irrigation and pathways together with 18th tee area.
3. Stabilise Playing Membership around 1,000.
4. Renovate the men’s locker room.
5. Driving range improvements. Covered awning, net at rear, new technology, potential to rebuild the teaching shed.
 
Q. Why does it seem a lot of changes have occurred recently? 
A. If you have read this far, then you are clearly a passionate member of Monash Country Club. In terms of the changes, none are taken without appropriate consideration and deliberation. The Board believe all changes have been beneficial to the broader membership. All entities over the years need a degree of refreshing as things change and Monash is no exception. Whilst growing in terms of financial stability and membership over recent years, it has come at a cost of decreasing access to our number one priority, the golf course itself. If Categories and subscriptions are left unchanged, then any problems can only get worse, which would lead to an inevitable level of dissatisfaction from members. In addition, historical decisions have led to unintended consequences. For those who are aware of the history of Monash Country Club, you will appreciate the need for an equitable approach to be taken for all members.

So, if you’re trying to understand just where the Club is heading, then it is best summarised as a course first approach to ensure all members, together with their guests, are able to access this unique and incredible course, whilst enjoying the facilities associated with same. We have recently re-entered the “Top 100 courses in Australia”, after a 10 year absence, which is testament to our staff’s incredible contribution over recent times. As a member we hope you will embrace and support these changes, which ultimately are for the benefit of all current and future members of Monash Country Club.
 
From the Management and Board, we wish you all the best in 2022.
 
Yours sincerely
 
Jeff

 
Jeff Bresnahan