News Archive

Gala Ball Photos

A huge thank you to all Members and Guests who attended the Centenary Gala Ball on Saturday, 4 March.

We hope you enjoy the photos:

Gala Ball – Gallery 1

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Use the following pin to download photos – 9578.

Gala Ball – Gallery 2

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Use the following pin to download photos – 1770.

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Centenary Speed Relay – Video

Our thanks to Bruce Jones for putting together the following video:

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Heritage Long Lunch – Address by Darcy Cluff

For those who missed it we encourage you to take a moment and enjoy the address delivered by Darcy Cluff at the Centenary Heritage Long Lunch.

Also Bruce Jones apologises for a portion of the video being out of focus, the auto-focus wasn’t working properly.

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Presidents Update on Subscriptions for 2023-24

The Board continually wrestles with cost increases, seeks to develop efficiencies and cultivate smarter ways of doing things. Last year we were able to hold the increases to an average 3%.  This year it should be no surprise that subscription increases will reach 7%. This update addresses the proposed subscription amounts for 2023/2024.

Increases in subscriptions are not random amounts, they are based on the total amount of money that is required to meet the ongoing costs of running PHGC, satisfy the expectations of Members, as well as to make necessary improvements to the golf course and protect the investment we have made in our club rooms so that we might remain one of Sydney’s leading private member golf clubs.

We have made it clear in previous discussions on membership that revenue is the result of the number of members multiplied by the subscription amount (price times volume). And it is the increase in the number of members (the volume effect) over the past couple of years that has delivered a substantial growth in subscription revenue.  By way of comparison the number of members at June 30 2020 was 1,175 and gross subscription revenue was $2.892M, in this financial year with around 1,350 members we are forecasting gross subscription revenue of $3.590 m. This is an increase of $698K or 28.9%, proportionately far in excess of the percentage increases that have been applied to the rates of our subscriptions. Put simply, the rate of increases in our subs has been kept low in the past couple of years due to a considerable increase in the number of members joining our club.

However, we now have a waiting list for full members, 6 Day 2 is capped and we reserve space in Limited Playing for new members with existing handicaps to join the club as they wait for a vacancy to occur in the full playing category. There is limited capacity to transfer older full members not able to utilise Saturday play to 6 Day 2 and create further vacancy in the full member ranks. The obvious opportunity to enjoy the volume effect of increased subscription revenue is additional women members; there is a pipeline of some 50 potential new women members in the Try Before You Join program and currently registered as Provisional Flexible members. To maintain financial sustainability as well as accessibility to competition play for our Members, the Membership Committee is working within these constraints to develop strategies to hold the membership level around 1,350 members and will continue to encourage more women to join the club.

The rates of subscription for 2023/24 and the actual cash increases payable over previous years are outlined in the following table.

A more comprehensive table including age, senior and special playing categories can be found on our web site, click here to view.

The Senior Playing category was set at 80% of the full playing subscription some years ago. However, it has gradually become clear that no actuarial assessment underpinned the decision.  The number of Senior Players grows along with the total amount of the discount requiring subsidy from other members. As a result, the Board was obliged to impose a gradual adjustment to reduce the discount to 90% of the full playing subscription. The discounted rate in 2023/24 will be 85.7%. To ameliorate the effect of a reduced discount coupled with a 7% rise, the House levy has been reduced by $200 for this year for Senior Players.

The current entrance fee of $6,000 for new members will increase to $8,000 from 1 April this year.

Members are reminded that our Financial Year is the traditional fiscal period from 1 July to 30 June while our subscription year commences 1 April and ends 31 March. This allows the Board to set a budget with greater certainty as subscription income is known.

Members who are ill or who face extenuating circumstances are eligible to transfer to become Absentee members and should contact the General Manager. This maintains their golf link number and enables them to play social golf according to the conditions and entitlements of an Absentee member and to return when their circumstances allow.

Emeritus Membership is being made available to Members generally over the age of 70 and who have been members for 20 years or so. Members who meet these criteria may contact the General Manger and seek transfer to become Emeritus Members as part of the membership renewal process.

Membership invoices with subscription due on 1 April will follow this letter; I trust it puts the fees and the fee setting process in perspective.

At the foot of this letter, I have included a table that compares the Full Paying Subscription of our club with our PACK club. This confirms that we are delivering subscription value to members.

Good luck with your golf.

Michael Rowan

PRESIDENT

[1] Emeritus members domiciled out of NSW are not subject to house levy

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Centenary Launch Day – President’s Address

For those who missed it please find below a copy of the President’s opening speech:

Presidents Address:

Mr Julian Lesser, Federal Member for Berowra

The Honourable Philip Ruddock, Mayor of Hornsby Shire Council

Mr Michael Medway, Chairman of Golf NSW and Stuart Frazer, Chief Executive of Golf NSW

Mr Scott Gresham representing his father and Wendy Gresham also representing her husband Mr Tony Gresham AO and Life Member of Pennant Hills Golf Club

Members and friends of the Club.

Let me repeat Sue’s welcome to you all here today. The large crowd and the company of our distinguished guests reflect the warmth and respect that Pennant Hills Golf Club is held in.

A small number of hard working people have planned and managed the arrangements for our Centenary and today, the launch day, begins a year of celebration. I am sure that they are relieved that today has finally arrived, that so many people are here, that the weather is so good, and that the celebrations are underway in such a spectacular fashion.

100 is a significant number in golf.

When you begin, it is the number you are anxious to break, beating 100 is a milestone for the novice golfer.

As you progress in the game it becomes the number you are anxious to avoid. This happens soon enough, although as your career advances and the distance you hit the ball reduces; the horror of not breaking 100 becomes an unwelcome reality. One that is not readily shared with those at home who, when you return, ask how your golf was today.

For the good golfer the work inside 100 meters from the cup is an art form. And there is the joy of golf, up and down from less than 100 meters from the green.

Now ………. when the life of your golf club is measured in a span of 100 years, the number takes on an entirely new significance.

Celebrating a century of golf in the Shire of Hornsby and on the same site, is a major accomplishment, it illustrates the resilience, commitment, and dedication of countless members of our club over the course of the past 100 years. It also reflects the strong community support we have enjoyed.

It demonstrates that Pennant Hills Golf Club has endured numerous changes and challenges over this time.

It is evidence of acceptance of the many cultural and societal shifts that have occurred in this period. The economic fluctuations which at times have been severe, are and depression, scarcity and the advances in the technology of golf and of management of a golf course.

Our clubhouse and course were commandeered by the Military in 1942 and the club house home to some 250 soldiers who were camped along the creek. They had plans to dig slit trenches along the third fairway parallel with Pennant Hills Road, thankfully General Hearne who was a member of the club persuaded the Command that perhaps that was not necessary.

The M2 plan originally was to assume the 5th hole and more, thankfully the then recently retired Valuer -General of NSW, Frank Bird was a member of the club and led a delegation to the DMR explaining how it would be far cheaper and more efficient to assume the homes along Mahers Rd, including that of Sir Garfield Barwick, that it might be to encroach on the golf course.

Management and embracement of change over such a long period is not easy, those organisations that are able to do it flourish, those who do not are no longer with us. We have been successful at coping with change because of good people.

Most importantly, and to our credit, to prosper as we have, means that our club has played an important role in the lives of its members and the broader community over a the past 100 years . Pennant Hills Golf Club means something to many people and that is why it is 100 years old and growing.

Reaching the 100-year mark is an opportunity to reflect on the club’s history and achievements, as well as to recognize the people who have contributed to its success.

Perhaps it is 3 things;

1. An opportunity to reflect on achievements and enjoy the story – later today we launch the 4th publication of our history by Joan Eyles
2. Celebrate the now, have a party, today is the start of celebrating the now and enjoying the camaraderie for which we are well known.
3. Plan for the next 100 years, to future proof our club ;

Arrangements are in place to renew our greens and tees, Phil Jacobs of the Player Group has been appointed as the course architect and the work has commenced. It is a major club project and the activity timeline to completion spans the next three years.

Plans to now demolish the old pro shop on my left and to build a state of the art Golf Academy on that site are well advanced. The architectural design is complete and has been funded by our Foundation; the Trustees are in the process of raising additional funds to submit the project for Development Approval before leading an appeal for member funds to complete the building.

Being a 100-year-old club is a remarkable achievement and being members at this time is a special privilege, we share this together and with you all I look forward to the future with enthusiasm and energy.

A club without a history is a club without a soul, we have a deep and eventful history that is well recorded and has provided us with a sustainable culture and personality. Long may it live.

I now invite Scott and Wendy Gresham, in the absence of The Governor to unveil the plaque commemorating our centenary.

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Members may also wish to view the Club’s historical “Timeline”, click here to view.

 

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