Ten Year Plan
Report prepared by the Board of the Christchurch Golf Club
September 2007
Introduction:
It is good practice for the Club to have a plan for the future. This plan has been prepared by the Board for the purposed of informing members of matters that need to be addressed in the short to medium future.
As a starting point the Board has adopted the following statement of purpose:
To be a successful and prestigious Golf Club for the benefit of all members through:
o Fostering a membership base that can support the goals listed in this statement.
o Preferential access for members to the golf course which will be consistently groomed to the highest possible standard, and setup as appropriate to provide an excellent test and enjoyment for players of every ability.
o A full annual program of playing events and competition for both men and women, and for every level of playing ability.
o A full program of social functions and social opportunities for all members and their guests.
o Encouragement of green fee players and corporate events to provide supplementary revenue and to enhance the reputation of the Club, the course, and its associated facilities.
o Regular and periodic hosting of local, national and international tournaments and competition to enhance the reputation of the club and its facilities.
o As appropriate establish a reputation for outstanding communication and service delivery to members, guests and other visitors, by the Board, the Club committees, Club staff, the pro-shop and the catering contractor.
o Sound strategic planning, governance and attention to continuing financial viability.
o Building strong and mutually beneficial relationships with all suppliers, sponsors, local and national golf associations and other interested stakeholders.
Since the amalgamation of the Men’s and Women’s Clubs in 1996 and the formation of a Board, significant improvements have been achieved with an enhanced course under the guidance of Peter Thomson, a new Professional Shop, upgraded Car Park, Clubhouse extension and refurbished interior.
There are still a number of important projects to be undertaken to continue with the policy of improved facilities for members and visitors.
This report details the steps that could be taken to achieve this vision. It provides a blueprint for the Club’s development over the next decade which will give it a clear direction.
1. CLUBHOUSE
Common Room
The demographics of the Clubhouse and its use by patrons has completely changed with the enclosing of the terrace and the large Common Room is now only used for Club Tournaments, Corporate Days and outside functions such as weddings.
The room suffers from poor acoustics and options to alleviate this problem are to be investigated.
There is also the matter of the wooden dance floor which may well contribute to the above and given that it is rarely used, the area could be carpeted and provision made for a temporary dance floor to be available if required.
White Parsons Room
This room has been repainted in the 2007 year. It has the ability to function as a small meeting room that could be used for Board and Committee meetings and hired out for business meetings.
Women’s Locker Room
This area was upgraded in 2001 and a number of the lockers were retained with the idea that members would use them for security purposes when playing golf. This has never happened and only one of the lockers is used.
Apart for the provision of lockers, the room is basically used as a storage area.
Consideration needs to be given to its future use.
Clubhouse Roof
The roof slates are generally in sound condition. However the flashings, valley, hips and ridges are areas that are in most need of attention.
It is important for the character of the clubhouse that the slates are retained as most alternatives types of roof coverings would not suit the style of building. The roof can be maintained to a satisfactory standard but as most of the roof is original and therefore approximately 80 years old, it is getting to the end of its lifespan.
From a maintenance perspective, the best option is to strip the existing roof salvaging as many slates as possible and re-slate using re-cycled slates for any shortfall. It would be an expensive exercise but it would guarantee the appearance of our wonderful clubhouse for another 80 years.
The upgrade could be undertaken over a number of years to ease the financial burden.
Security
From time to time, unfortunately, the Car Park and Locker Rooms become the target of thieves.
A video surveillance system would go a long way to resolving the problem. The Board has recently purchased a system comprising five external and five internal cameras. These measures should assist in deterring unwanted activity.
2. COURSE
Course Architect
Our Course Architect, Peter Thomson has been associated with the Club for the last 10 years. During this time, a number of changes have been made to the course under his direction, particularly in the “outside paddock” and the greens on Holes 1, 3 & 9.
It is intended to invite Peter to visit in 2008, to view the course and provide comment on the current layout.
No.2 Drain Enhancement
This project commenced on 2 July 2007. The earthworks are to be completed by the end of September. Landscaping of the area will extend into September.
Not only will the new open drain and pond areas be a feature of this part of the course, but also the mounded areas bordering the fairways will add considerable definition and character to the holes.
Bunker Sand
Quality and quantity of sand in the bunkers is the subject of the most complaints to do with the presentation of the course.
The Board has approved a trial of “Mt Somers” sand in a practice bunker and if successful, all bunkers will be upgraded with this new type.
Paths on the Course
The paths have a crushed mussel shell surface and while this provides an ideal walking surface and is easy to maintain, the problem of tracking the shell on to the greens is very evident.
It would be a significant cost, but sealing of the paths is to be considered.
Replacement Greens
It is prudent for the Board to evaluate all the greens and decide if any need replacement – obviously in consultation with the Club’s Course Architect Peter Thomson.
Tree Replacement
The Club has a landscape architect providing advice on course plantings.
As trees adjoining our boundaries reach maturity, they will be felled and replaced with suitable specimens.
Pine Tree Plantations
Advice has been received that the pine tree plantations between Holes 12 and 13 and behind the 7th green are of minimum value from a timber recovery perspective.
Both stands have a maximum life of approximately 20 years from now.
A decision is to be made nearer the time as to their future.
Resource Consent – Extraction of Water
The subject of the supply of water is becoming a sensitive issue in the greater Canterbury region let alone the global warming scenario.
The Club has approval to take and use groundwater from its two bores – the Resource Consent expires on 31 August 2035.
It is becoming popular to create storage ponds to hold water and if this is the way of the future it may be an option when the pine trees behind the 7th green are removed, that a water storage pond be sited in this area – food for thought.
Security Fencing
Unauthorised persons gaining access to the course “after hours” continues to be a problem and is proving costly to the Club with damage to the course and the loss of pins and tee markers.
Eventually and where practicable, live hedges will border the course adjoining the public roads and while they will look appropriate, it may not solve the trespass issue.
To erect security fences along all the roadsides, it is estimated to cost $150,000.
Re-sowing of fairways
Thatch build up in the fairways is a major problem which is to be addressed. Without action, the quality of the grass will continue to decline and this will impact on course presentation.
It is proposed that in the Spring of 2007, a small area of an existing fairway be cultivated and re-sown in a new grass type as a trial to establish its suitability.
Leading on from there, the Board and the Course Superintendent are to decide on the timeframe for the re-sowing of the fairways – what year, how many fairways at one time. We could do all the course at the one time, nine holes or perhaps four holes per year.
We need to think about the logistics of the exercise, the availability of the necessary machinery, course access, members playing rights and budgeting for the cost.
Additional Machinery
The following is the proposed replacement schedule for course machinery:
2008 Spray Unit $65,000
2009 Small Out Front Mower $20,000
2010 Renovation Machine $50,000
2011 Tractor $50,000
2012 Bunker Machine $20,000
2013 Tees & Surrounds Mower $40,000
2014 Utility Vehicles $10,000
2015 Rough Mower $50,000
2016 Utility vehicles $10,000
The Club also owns one fairway mower and it is proposed that it be sold and replaced with a new machine under the current machine lease agreement with John Deere.
Upgrade of Irrigation System
The irrigation mains system has been identified as nearing its life span and is to be replaced.
It would logical for this being done in conjunction with the re-sowing of the fairways, but with the work required to replace the mains and reposition the sprinkler heads, this would close the holes for an additional time.
It is proposed that the irrigation system be replaced over a five year period following the completion of the sowing of the fairways. The cost for this is in the vicinity of one million dollars.
Underpass on Lake Terrace Road
A comment that is often expressed is the danger of traffic to players crossing Lake Terrace Road.
A simple but costly solution would be to construct an underpass under Lake Terrace Road with the southern entrance being between the 4th green and the tee block on No.12 and exiting to the outside paddock adjacent to the ninth tee block.
3. FACILITIES
Permanent Practice Facilities
Permanent practice facilities including a building are to be built along the southern boundary of the Practice Fairway in November 2007.
The building will incorporate covered practice facilities, a room for the Club Professional/Junior members and a storage area for golf clubs.
It is intended that on the majority of days – persons wishing to practice would use the all weather facility – and only at certain times would the grass surface be available.
Such a policy will greatly assist the maintenance and recovery of the grassed area.
Distance markers will be positioned – measured from the all weather pad to the target greens.
The Shirley Boys’ High School has previously donated $24,000 to the Club for the construction of the facility.
The total cost is expected to be in the vicinity of $110,000.
Machinery Sheds
The existing sheds are in need of an upgrade to garage all the course vehicles and machinery and comply with health and safety and the storage of dangerous goods.
The Board is to give this matter careful consideration as to what is the best long term option for the storage of equipment etc.
Options are:
Upgrade the existing site with the addition of a building extension, wash down area and chemical storage room. Given the close proximity of private residences to the site – approvals may be difficult.
The alternative is to start afresh and build a purpose built facility on the land between Holes 12 & 13 that fronts onto Lake Terrace Road. The type of building required comes in a kitset form and the cost may not be as prohibitive as first thought.
The proposal would be for all vehicles and equipment to be housed in a secure lock up building with storage bays outside for sand, shingle, shell etc. and surrounded by a security fence.
Other site options on the course will also be investigated.
Future of Club Flat
The Club Flat is occupied by one of the Greenkeepers who is responsible for Clubhouse and Course security and this arrangement is to be retained.
If the Machinery Sheds were relocated, the current Golf Links Road site could be used for residential purposes with the land subdivided and sold or retained and rental income obtained from apartments owned by the Club.
The Course Superintendents house could either be retained and rented, sold or demolished to make way for apartment units.
The existing flat would then become the residence for the Course Superintendent if it was considered necessary that he lives on the course.
4. GENERAL
Membership Subscription rate
As a members’ Club our subscription rate is the highest in the Canterbury region and annual increases need to be maintained to give us the opportunity to fund the necessary enhancements to the course and associated facilities.
We enjoy a strong interest in membership but the Board should be continually aware of the subscription rates when compared with other Clubs in Christchurch. It is important that our Full Playing Men numbers remain at the optimum level of 400.
Interclub Teams
While we were once a strong force in Interclub competitions, this is no longer the case.
This position can be attributed to the scale of our membership fees, the fact that the majority of our members are in the 40 to 70 year age bracket and do not wish to represent the Club. Some other Clubs are aggressive in attracting top young players.
This scenario applies equally to Men’s and Women’s Teams.
If we wish to be a force in Interclub competitions, consideration needs to be given to financial incentives for promising players to join the Club and with particular reference to the Women, developing an association with a secondary school and implementing a golfing programme for young women.
Road Frontages
The Shirley Golf Course is now very much part of the City and the adjoining roads; Horseshoe Lake Road and Lake Terrace Road are popular thoroughfares.
A portion of Horseshoe Lake Road is earmarked for an upgrade in association with the redevelopment of Horseshoe Lake and environs.
It would greatly enhance our boundaries and provide greater traffic safety if the roadsides were clearly defined with curb and channel and the Council should be encouraged to provide for this.
Feature Annual Tournament
The men’s feature annual tournament is proposed to become a Pro-Am event in 2008 and the future of the Women’s major tournament – the Canterbury Provincial Championship is to be reviewed after the 2007 centennial fixture in September.
The opportunity exists for the Club to perhaps host one major Club tournament each year for the best golfers in the country – both men and women. To avoid inconveniencing members and clashes with national tournaments, Labour Weekend is suggested as a suitable timeframe for such an event.
A combined tournament may well be the catalyst for the amalgamation of the two Committees!
National Events
The Board must consider members interests when consideration is given to hosting feature national tournaments at Shirley.
In the next few years and among other things, there is the work required on the fairways. Accordingly, an application for a national event would not be able to be considered until 2010.
5. SUMMARY
The following is a possible timeline for significant Club projects up to and including the year 2020:
2007 No.2 Drain enhancement
Permanent Practice Facilities
2008 Upgrade Machinery Sheds
New Bunker Sand
2009 Re-sow Fairways (Stage I)
2010 Re-sow Fairways (Stage II)
2011 Consolidation Year
2012 Clubhouse – Roof Maintenance
2013 Upgrade Irrigation System (Stage I)
2014 Upgrade Irrigation System (Stage II)
2015 Upgrade Irrigation System (Stage III)
2016 Consolidation Year
2017 Upgrade Irrigation System (Stage IV)
2018 Upgrade Irrigation System (Stage V)
2019 Upgrade Irrigation System (Stage VI)
2020 Lake Terrace Road underpass