BUSH TELEGRAPH

With the first quarter of the year behind us,
we are already in full swing with some very
important club events. The AGM of the Golf
Section of the Zimbali Country Club was held
on the 11th of April, along with the Captains
Dinner.
The draws for the knockout competitions have
taken place and 1st round matches are to be
played in May. The Club Championships, our
main event for the year, are scheduled for the
16th and 17th of May, which is two months
earlier than prior years.
There has been a certain amount of confusion
amongst the members relating to the two
separate AGM’s that take place, with a 3rd
“informal” AGM of the ladies section also having
taken place recently. The Golf Section AGM
deals with golf matters only and is chaired by the
Chairman of the Golf Committee. This meeting
deals mainly with competitions and a general
feedback to members on golf happenings and
highlights for the prior calendar year. The Golf
committee meets monthly and is representative
of golfers at Zimbali Country Club. The Zimbali
Country Club AGM that is scheduled for the 19th
of June is chaired by the Chairman of the Board
of Governors and reports on the financial status
of the Club, as well as any relevant decisions
that may have been taken by the Board over the
prior financial year. This Board’s representation
includes members of the golf committee,
representatives of the developers TIFAZ, the
Fairmont, ZEMA and a ZCC other sections
representative. This Board meets quarterly.
The results for the Country Club to the
end of March have been satisfactory, with
management very aware of the difficult trading
conditions that are prevalent in the hospitality
and leisure industry at present.
A short summary of the various departments
are as follows:
• Total rounds are flat on last year at 8,663.
• Green fee and golf cart revenues are flat on
last year at R2,377,000.
• Food and beverage revenues are 3% behind
last year at R1,163,000.
• Total revenues are 3% up on prior year at
R5,669,000.
• The EBITDA figure is at R694,000 which is
R147,000 up on prior year.
• The Zimbali Country Club has received a new
fleet of golf carts and with the trade in of the
previous fleet, there was a profit on the sale of
assets amounting to R400,000. With this figure
taken into account and the debenture premium
recorded for the 1st 3 months, the retained
profit is R1,191,000, vs. prior year of R485,000.
We have recently added new furniture to the
Fig Tree area, as well as reducing the size of the
garden at the entrance to this facility, which has
allowed for additional seating in our courtyard.
It is amazing to see the additional light and how
underutilized this area was for a long period of
time, with many patrons preferring to sit outside
in the courtyard.
The next Members Quiz evening is scheduled
for the 6th of May with reminders to go out over
the next couple of weeks. Please book early by
contacting dmanly@mweb.co.za to secure your
place in this very popular event.
See you around the Club
Steven
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