BIRDIE, EAGLE, ALBATROSS & PENGUIN - Phillip Island Golf Club

FEBRUARY 2011
Welcome to the new format of the Club
Newsletter, we will be sending this out every
second month and hope to be able to provide
Members with as much information as possible.
Contributions are welcome from all Members, if
you have a story to tell then forward it by email to
manager@phillipislandgolfclub.com.au.
STRATEGIC BUSINESS PLAN 2010 – 2015
The Board has been working tirelessly on a
Strategic Business Plan to ensure that the Club
improves its financial situation and works
harmoniously together to improve the facilities
and membership benefits for all Members & the
Community.
The various Committees are now working to
create a series of actions to achieve the goals set
out in the plan, in the meantime it was felt that
Members would want to know a bit more about
the plan and its contents.
Vision Statement
“To be recognised as one of the best Golf Clubs
in Regional Victoria”
Mission Statement
Our mission is to:
• Embrace a continuous improvement culture
and be pro-active in everything we do
• Promote the Club and grow our brand
strength within the wider community
• Continue to improve the clubhouse
appearance and facilities
• Enhance our service delivery through the
ongoing development of our people
• Provide the resources to ensure that we
continue to develop a quality and
environmentally friendly Golf Course
• Grow our membership and promote
community use
• Implement best business practice to ensure
long term financial viability
BIRDIE, EAGLE,
ALBATROSS & PENGUIN
PHILLIP ISLAND GOLF CLUB
BI MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
Value Statements
“The values and behaviours of the Phillip Island
Golf Club are the guiding principles that reflect
the way we conduct ourselves”
We will be ethical in everything we do and always
act and treat people with:
• Respect
• Honesty
• Dignity
• Pride
These are our core business areas:
• Finance
Bernie Billman 5952 1940
bernieb@waterfront.net.au
• Golf and Course
Paul Wagner 5952 2037
paul.wags@hotmail.com
Peter Crothers 0418 542 232
pcrothers@phillipislandgolfclub.com.au
• Hospitality
Jeanette Diss 0408 284 100
jeanettediss@gmail.com
• Membership
Ray Smith 0423 546 999
smithcow@waterfront.net.au
• Our Organisation
Peter Laydon 0400 602 283
peterlaydon@bigpond.com
As the Committees identify the actions required
to improve the Club, we will be asking for
Members assistance whether this be by utilising
their skill sets, their contacts or just to try to
source some volunteer labour. If you believe you
can offer some help please contact the Club or
you could contact the Chairman of the various
Committees on the telephone numbers or emails
provided above.

FINANCE
At the AGM we stated that it was hoped that this
year we would be able to achieve a break even
result for the Club.
Unfortunately after the first six months of the
year it has become apparent that this will not be
the case, several issues have caused this, not the
least the weather.
Our wet winter and unusual summer has meant
that our Green Fees are down on budget by
approximately $30,000. We will be working on
promoting “stay to play packages” with our
Accommodation partners and also trying to
increase general green fee players.
Another area that is down is Membership. We
lost a number of Members due to ill health, lack
of free time and financial constraints. The
numbers lost are not much higher than in
previous years but budgets had been set in
anticipation of a better retention level than
previously experience. Again, we will be running
a promotional campaign to entice new Members
to the Club. If you know of an interested golfer
then why not introduce them, a Member
introducing a new Member gets an additional $50
on their House Credit.
Bar trading has continued its trend downward
despite the Club offering some of the best beer
on the Island and certainly some of the cheapest.
The bad weather has also affected Kimbies with it
profit about $3,000 behind last year.
Catering is also showing a loss, this was expected
and budgeted for but there have been some
unexpected expenses. The Environmental Health
Officer has insisted we carry out some works on
the Kitchen that although minor have been costly
and we have had vital machinery breakdowns that
have meant we were required to make some large
purchases such as a new Steam Oven. These
purchases of course are capitalised but still lead to
an increase in depreciation.
It is not all doom and gloom however, with
Administration & Clubhouse expenses down on
budget & close to parity with last year and Course
Expenses down on budget but still slightly higher
than last year due to the new machinery and bulk
purchases of chemicals / fertilisers. It is still likely
we will be able to keep these areas in check.
We will be formatting a new forecast following
the January peak season and hope that we will be
able to report improvements in coming months.
All our efforts are being put into ensure our
expenses are kept to a minimum and sourcing
ways of increasing our revenue.
MATCH & GREENS
The new Captains have hit the course running
with both Paul & Jeanette fine tuning the
excellent work of previous Captain’s and
moulding it to their preferences.
Paul & Jeanette are working with Ryan & Marcus
to ensure that Members have a course that is not
only well presented but also laid out in a manner
suitable to the standard of golfer using the facility.
Pennant is approaching and notices are on the
boards for those interested in participating. We
hope for another successful year in this
competition and more flags being won to add to
the already extensive collection.
This year’s syllabus is available in the Bar next to
the Tee Booking Computer and also on the
website. There are some discrepancies due to GV
(formerly WGV) and SGLGA changing some
times after the publication of our book.
Men’s Captain Paul Wagner has graciously
handed the new amateur course record to Scott
Fullerton who managed a 68 off the stick on
December medal day, knocking off one shot from
Paul’s previous record.
On a similar vein we have a new Gorilla Award
winner, congratulations goes to Alan “Checkers”
Checkley on an impressive debut in January.
Around the Course Ryan has being working hard
fixing problems with our aging and fragile
irrigation system. The 7 th has a new face on the
right hand bunker and additional sprinklers have
been added to better water the area. Tees have
been top dressed & fertilised and considering the
traffic on the course we are getting many positive
comments on the quality of course we prepare.
The area at Kimbies is also being dressed up with
new tubs to be filled with plants to beautify the
area and some large market umbrellas to offer
some shade during the summer. We must thank
our sponsor Tyrell’s Wines for providing these
umbrellas and encourage you to support our
sponsors whenever you can.
HOUSE
The House Committee have created a great social
calendar which you will be able to review on the

website, several new items have been added to
enhance what is already a comprehensive list.
Kimbies Classic Sunday 27 th February $20
9 holes of golf & Spit Roast Dinner
Book at Pro Shop
Chook Run Every Friday $2
9 holes of golf for the chance to win a chook
The Committee will be reviewing the entire
Clubhouse facilities in coming weeks as part of
the Strategic Plan, any tradesman who may be
able to offer advice should contact the Club.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The Board would like to take this opportunity to
thank Michelle Trewin & Bruce Sherwood for
their work whilst on the Board. We wish them
well with their extra spare time and have been
assured much of that time will be spent enjoying
the efforts of their successors.
LECHTE
Despite the Club’s efforts to ensure the correct
information is given to Members, a recent article
in The Sentinel Times was unfortunately not
quite right which has led to some consternation.
The article states that “an application to rezone
the entire golf course and private land, has been
lodged with the Bass Coast Shire Council.” This
in fact is not correct, that will be the next stage
for Lechte but they are not there yet.
As new information becomes available the Lechte
Committee will advise Members of the situation.
RUSTY WATER ON THE GREEN
Rave reviews of the food continue to be given to
the Club by Members and visitors. Rusty really
are offering Members a wonderful service. From
the end of January the restaurant will be open
Tuesday to Saturday for lunch & dinner.
Korean Chef’s, Sung Ho & Amy, have joined
Daniel & Louise and a wonderful blend of
traditional & Asian themed dishes are now on
the menu. Members who have not tried the
restaurant since Rusty Water arrived are strongly
encouraged to give it a go, ask around and you
will find out they are very good.
Members receive a 10% discount on the menu
price except for the Specials Menu and Special
Nights such as the Steak Night. This discount
only applies to the cardholder not the entire
table, if non-members wish to get the discount
then encourage them to join as a Social Member
it is only $35.
Bookings for the restaurant can be made by
calling 03 5952 1666 before 5.30pm and after
that call the Club on 03 5952 2141.
PARKING
It has been noticed that many morning players, in
particular on a Saturday are parking with large
gaps between their cars meaning those arriving for
a later tee off are struggling to find a parking spot.
If you could please try to park as close as safely
possible to the next car it will mean less
frustration for other. Thank you in anticipation
of your consideration.
TALL TALES & TRUTH
The Island bush telegraph can be very useful but
many times it is fairly wide of the mark. As we
are regularly receiving questions based on these
Chinese whispers we decided the best way to deal
with it would be on the front foot.
If you hear a rumour, please feel free to let us
know and we can respond to everybody.
Rumour No. 1 The Driving / Practise Range on
the 2nd and 3rd was conceived by a previous Board!
Fact: Correct, in 2003 in fact....... including a
reshaped 2nd hole, 8 holes on the front and 10/11 out
the back.
Rumour No. 2 Somebody was bitten by a snake on
the course!
Fact: Not true, but we do advise players entering the
scrub after their ball to be wary as we know they are
there.
Rumour No. 3 The General Manager is leaving!
Fact: Not true, the GM has committed to the Club for
another few years but we are putting in place a
succession plan for when that day arrives. More
information on this will follow in the near future.
Rumour No. 4 The golf club is selling the course
and relocating!
Fact: Not true, but if a developer offered a large sum
of money & built a new course with all the modern
facilities thereby securing the Clubs long time future,
the Board would be negligent if it was not considered.
Rumour No. 5 The golf club has sold the back 9!
Fact: Not true, it was the front 9 we sold several
months ago. Of course this is a tongue in cheek answer
as any sale of land must be passed by a clear majority
of members.