The club has a band of more than 70 volunteers who help with virtually every aspect of the organisation – from voluntary manager Norm Purtill, to the members who help out running the Pro Shop, helping maintain the course, cleaning, cooking a barbecue, running a raffle, providing golf lessons or any of the numerous other tasks that are required each day.
‘‘The Golf Club was facing an uncertain future about 10 years ago,’’ Mr Purtill explained.
‘‘For various reasons our trading had taken a battering and we were forced to significantly reduce costs. At the time, the Board of Directors decided voluntary support from the club’s membership was the best way forward.
‘‘We didn’t know how it would go, or how long we could maintain it. But so far, so good.’’
During Volunteer Week the club says a special thank you to its many helpers.
It is through their efforts that reserves have built up and, with the support of government funding, enabled renovations to take place this year. These will improve the amenity at the club for its members and guests when it gets back to full operation as Coronavirus restrictions are lifted.
‘‘Our volunteers have been the driving force behind getting the club into a strong financial position, and this has allowed us to survive the pandemic,’’ Mr Purtill said.
‘‘We’ve been able to continue enjoying our golf, though everyone is missing the friendship of the 19th hole. We look forward to getting back to normal soon.’’
The club’s Board of Directors hosts volunteer days as its way of saying ‘thank you’ to its helpers, and eagerly awaits easing of restrictions so the next volunteer barbecue can be organised.