President’s Update – October 2023

I hope Members have enjoyed playing the Chelmer Course since our course renovations. It is a particularly busy period at the Club during Member Renewals and in the leadup to our AGM in December.

This update will deliver Members several important pieces of information relating to various Committee, Club and Course matters. The following is a list of the topics in this update.

• Brisbane Markets Discussions
• Member Renewals Update
• Course Advisory Group Motion
• Rules of Brisbane Golf Club
• Brisbane Golf Club Foundation
• Members Insurance
• Driving Range Update
• Senior Golf Days
• Australian PGA Pre-Qualifying Venue
• AGM and Notice of Nominations
• Off-Limits Areas for Work Health Safety
• Golf Development Fund

Brisbane Markets Discussions

In May this year I advised Members that the Brisbane Markets were seeking land not prone to flooding from the golf club. This deferred our efforts to sell the land adjacent to the 8th Fairway. Since that time there have been meetings and correspondence with the Brisbane Markets. At this point of time the Club does not believe the offer from the Markets would be acceptable to Members. Communications are ongoing, and we still believe that due diligence should be applied while the Brisbane Markets continue to offer new proposals.

The Committee will keep Members informed of any further developments regarding these discussions. Obviously, any potential sale of land adjacent to the 8th Fairway remains on hold until this matter is concluded.

Member Renewals Update

It is pleasing to report that the Club has enjoyed another very successful renewals campaign. Membership remains extremely strong, and I would like to thank again the membership for their wonderful ongoing support of our Club.

Course Advisory Group Motion

The Committee has consulted many past Course Advisory Committee Members and it has been agreed by the Committee that the naming and Terms of Reference for this Group should be adjusted to reflect more appropriately the current governance of the Club. The proposal for a new Course Advisory Group and the Terms of Reference will be put to the AGM in December. Members may peruse the Motion and changes to the Terms of Reference.

Rules of The Brisbane Golf Club

The Committee has been working for many months on updating and modernising the Rules of The Brisbane Golf Club. Despite the enormity of this task, it is progressing well with a large component approved by the Committee and Club Solicitors. In view of the ongoing work required and the short time until this year’s AGM – Members will not be asked to approve these changes until a later date that is hopefully during 2024.

The Brisbane Golf Club Foundation

There have now been several meetings progressing the formation of the BGCF. The Foundation is now registered with 5 Directors and has an ABN and bank account administered through the Office. A calendar for 2024 has been outlined which will include an official launch event on Friday, 1 March 2024. I would like to thank those Members who have donated funds (totalling $23,350) to the Foundation during the recent renewals period. Further updates will occur on the Foundation between now and the March launch.

Member’s Insurance

Our insurers have removed the Members Insurance Suite from our coverage effective from 1 October 2023. To our knowledge this is the case with all golf clubs in Australia. In summary this means that Members will not be covered if they are at fault. The Committee is working with other clubs and industry bodies to produce a communication to fully inform Members of this change.

Off-Limits Areas for Workplace, Health and Safety

In line with best practice Workplace, Health and Safety measures, it is inappropriate for Members to enter the kitchen or behind the bar. Food is to be ordered from the Member’s Lounge, Garden Room or via the Me&U app. The Machinery Shed is off-limits to Members.

Driving Range Update

I am hopeful that Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) will begin their sewerage works soon. They are communicating regularly, and I am hopeful that a starting date will be secured once final approvals occur . In preparation the new practice tee area on the 10th hole is on track to be opened when the current practice fairway is closed for this work. We are also ready to start work on the new driving range facility which was approved by Members at the EGM in April 2023. This new driving range will be an exciting addition to our Club in 2024. Further information about this work will be provided in the coming weeks.

Senior Golf Days

The Club continues to support the Senior Men’s and Women’s Golf Days. A recent meeting with Co-ordinators Peter White and Liz McReynolds occurred to discuss the calendar for 2024. It has been agreed that the program will now trial combined shotgun starts on four of the dates during 2024. We will review this trial next year while we continue to provide opportunities for all Members to enjoy golf and social activities.

Australian PGA Pre-Qualifying Venue

The Brisbane Golf Club will host the pre-qualifying for the 2023 Australian PGA Championship on Monday, 20 November. This could be an excellent opportunity for our BGC Members (such as Sam Slater) who have recently turned professional. The event will also expose our improved golf course to a wider audience. Members are encouraged to come out and watch the golf which is sure to be of a high standard. Tee times and entrants will be displayed on the timesheet for the day.

AGM and Notice of Nominations

The Annual General Meeting will be held in the Clubhouse on Saturday, 9 ecember 2023. Nominations can be made from Friday, 27 October 2023 for candidates as Office Bearers and Committee Members for the year commencing Sunday, 10 December 2023. Nominations close 6.00pm on Friday, 17 November 2023. Please contact our CEO, Geoff Kuehner, if you require further information.

Golf Development Fund

I would like to thank the 643 members who have contributed to our Golf Development Fund during the Renewals period. This Fund continues to assist our Club in developing and fostering Junior and Elite Golfers. The benefits of this program have been seen in recent years with our success in Pennants and multiple players from our Club achieving great results in both the Amateur and Professional golfing ranks. This is all part of the improving story being told at our Club.

In conclusion I wish all Members a happy pre-Christmas golfing period with good health. I hope to catch up with many of you before my term as President is completed in December.

Mark Deuble, President