The Harden Country Club is calling on the community to support the venue. The Club may be forced to eventually close its doors if the current climate doesn’t improve.
The board of the Harden Country Club has called on the community to provide more assistance to the Club, in a message sent out to current members and the wider community on Thursday.
The Club won the South West District Golf Club Pennant Shield over the weekend and although the Club’s players performed very well, there are less golfers playing at the club than in previous years.
The game of golf has been in a decline for a number of years across Australia. A 2013 report shows that club membership numbers peaked in Australia in 1998 at approximately 500,000 golfers.
Since this time a steady decline has materialised, averaging 1.5% per year for both male and female members. Since 2005 the level of decline in female membership has been increasing and, at an average of 2.9% since 2010, now exceeds the 1.9% male rate by 1% per year.
Female membership numbers now account for 21% of the national total, having accounted for near 35% in the early 1970’s and 25% in the mid 1990’s. 60 percent of the national club membership base is aged 55 years or over. A figure which would be over represented in a community such as Harden, where we have a higher population of older people than in metro areas The national average for junior memberships is 5% of the total playing population.
Put simply, not enough younger people are coming through and the inevitable threat of father time takes its toll on older members. The Club is not only suffering from a lack of golfers but also a lack of drinkers, diners and visitors. The club has been plagued with financial problems due to costs for several years, with portions of the community calling on it to be merged with the Bowling Club.
The club released the following statement to the Times…. In similar circumstances to many licensed sporting clubs throughout country NSW, the Harden Country Club is experiencing very tough trading conditions which unless given support from it’s golfers, social drinkers, dinners and the greater community, will not be able to keep its doors open.
With only limited current Board members, Club President Dallas Watts is urging any interested people to attend next Wednesday’s Board meeting and either nominate for a position on the Board or to show their support as a “Friend of the Club”. We need a strong energetic Board to meet the challenges ahead. Our Golf course is unquestionably one of the finest country courses in NSW. The underground irrigation system works very well, we have up to date and reliable turf maintenance equipment operated under the guidance of a very capable green keeper and his dedicated, loyal team of volunteer helpers. Golfer numbers are on the decline Australia wide so now is the time for all local golfers to rally behind the Club to ensure the Club remains open.
The golf Committee needs to have numbers on the Board of Directors to have a voice in the management of the Club, they need to encourage more junior players through working with our schools, hosting more social golf events and also adding to the already popular tournaments played.
The Club house and bar facilities are showing their age but over the last year new poker machines have been purchased which are very popular with players. The kitchen has been updated, and the smoking section over looking the former bowling green has been completed. Our kitchen continues to serve quality, meals and snacks, but we simply need more “bums on seats” to remain viable.
The Kruger Trust have provided financial support of late and have made a commitment to support the incoming Board under the proviso that the Board rises to the challenge. It must work with the Golfers and Social members, it must sell the Club to other social and sporting groups to increase usage. A strong Board will need to put together a strong volunteer group known as “Friends of the Club” to bring a new energy back. These “Friends of the Club” would lend a hand for events and fund raising, meat raffles etc.
Kruger has stated that it will show support for major upgrades to the Club house, function centre and kitchen if the Board, Club members and community show their desire to see the facility not only stay open but to thrive Dallas invites all people interested in the Club’s future to attend the AGM on Wednesday 26th July, venue Harden Country Club at 6:30pm.
Even if you’re not prepared to become a director, please turn up to show your support as a “Friend of the Club”. Your club needs help…. The Club installed up to 40 solar panels on the roof of the building over the last few years, in an attempt to lower electricity use.
They continue to offer community groups the chance to run raffles on Friday nights.
The club is preparing for one of their biggest weekends of the year where they will hold the 2 Man Ambrose on September 16 & 17. If you would like to become involved in the club or assist in any way contact the club on 63 862 483.
