Port Victoria Golf Club

08/07/2025

03/06/2025

OH THOSE WERE THE DAYS

Strong golf clubs are built on great administration and leadership.

With weak golf clubs and poor administration you see the early signs of decay.

With our club we have seen that decay from what was once a thriving Par 3 competition on Wednesday and Friday nights to it being totally abandoned.

On the few occasions I have come up in the last few months, no one has turned up for the Friday comp, so I've played a lone round.

There is no use pumping up your tyres claiming new members and a thriving club when in practice it is actually not the case.

It takes continual dedication and commitment to turn up on Wednesdays and Fridays to run the Par 3 competition.

So after just 12 months there apparently is no one willing to run the Par 3 which carries with it the Jackpot Hole-in-one and an annual award for the highest points scored over the year.

Just a couple of weeks ago the Saturday competition was abandoned because no one showed up and this was followed by only 7 players turning up for the first club championship qualifying round.

Here's a question about leadership and a strong club...Why have 4 qualifying rounds when you don't actually need to qualify for the club championships?

The club's program says Club championship entry is by being a financial member and having played 3 rounds of golf either on a Wednesday or Saturday throughout the season.

Now it's just a matter of time.

Remember strong golf clubs are built on strong administration not self interest.

11/05/2025

GOLF CLUBS VERSUS DEVELOPERS

Many golf courses, if not already locked in by residential housing, are seeing new developments on their boundaries as developers seek to benefit from the ever decreasing supply of land that has some extra features (e.g. pre existing golf views).

The already foreseeable problem is that golfers have been hitting balls in unintended directions since the game was first invented.

The increasing addition of residential housing on course borders has therefore heightened firstly the nuisance factor and then more recently the legal interaction between the two.

Clubs have contended, that given the golf course was there before any development, it should be land buyer/developer beware.

But court decisions show its the club's responsibility.

A decision handed down by Justice Morris of the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) has put clubs on notice as to the legal responsibilities they have should developments occur on their boundaries to prevent balls from causing risk to residents.

In a New South Wales Court of Appeal case where a developer sought directions to stop golf balls causing a risk to new residential housing the judge commented:

“...What was required was that the golf course should so adjust its activities as not to interfere unreasonably with the peaceable enjoyment by residents of their land.

That means it had to re-design the hole that could expect golf balls to enter the residential subdivision and that the developer should pay for the hole re-alignment but if other holes had to be moved because of the re-alignment then the club would have to pay for that work.

The second point is that the court has stated that the nuisance caused by golf balls going over fences is a club’s responsibility.

The judge concluded that “the proximity of the golf course to residential lots means that the Club will need to review the risks associated with its activities and take measures it deems appropriate to minimise risk and liability.”

Clearly, the “we were here first” stance will not wash and it is not land buyer/developer beware.

The legal view now being taken is that the onus lies with clubs to remedy any safety issues being caused.

So once again we ask what is our club doing to protect itself from litigation and also our players from being sued for damage caused by errant balls entering adjacent properties?

The penalties for damage caused are significant.

With the move towards establishing a community club at the golf course the question remains - Who would then be financially liable for the damage caused by golfers?

14/04/2025

IS NETTING REQUIRED TO STOP OUR CLUB BEING LITIGATED?

Golf Australia has sent out a stern warning to all golf clubs across Australia about their insurance cover to protect themselves from property damage claims.

It has sent notifications to all clubs alerting them to major changes to its insurance policies which came into effect on March 1st.

Golf Australia says its writing to inform clubs of important changes to the Player’s Personal Liability Insurance Policy offered by Golf Australia, which is a key benefit of affiliation membership for all club members.

Golf Australia says the financial management of a club is arguably the most important area in the running of a club.

"No matter the size of the club, it is vital that all the club’s finances are managed in a responsible way and that includes having all the necessary insurances in place."

With the development of a new subdivision on the club's boundary has our committee sought legal advice on its liability should errant balls cause damage to new houses and cars?

If so what is the result of that legal advice?

Those holes in question are No 14, No 16, No 17, and No 18.

Golf Australia in its advice to clubs said as far as the claims process is concerned before the excess is payable on all property damage claims, the insurer will conduct a thorough investigation to determine if the individual member is likely to incur any legal liability through negligence.

It said the policy was established to provide legal protection for affiliated members, not to provide cover for any golfing incidence regardless of the cause, and in some instances, the cause of the incident may be found to be another party (ie. Club with a known boundary issue).

Does our committee regard that we have a boundary issue?

Golf Australia says in these instances, the insurer will indemnify the member as is the intent of the policy and if the insurer determines that that member was not negligent in their actions and therefore not liable, then the insurer may choose to defend the claim rather than settle the claim.

"With this increased focus of investigation during the claims process, Clubs that are involved in a high level of property damage claims must ensure they have adequate risk management practices in place to reduce the likelihood of recurring incidents occurring."

Does this mean that netting (artistic impression) should be installed along our boundaries as part of that risk management?

23/02/2025

DID THE COUP WORK FOR THE BENEFIT OF OUR CLUB?

With the AGM coming up we think it is vitally important for members to assess this past year and remember how the coup committee were put there.

They worked under cloak and dagger for nine months prior to the March AGM in 2024 to usurp the duly elected committee.

Deals were made under the table, promises accepted with a wink and a nod and a new committee organised in the shadows to take the reins.

They were made with members of the bowls club to take up seats on the new committee, but did they have the best interests of the golf club and its members at their hearts?

The answer is quite simple when you look at how they have supported the golf club during the past season.

Of a total of 44 competitive golf link recorded rounds at the club during the year the following was recorded as true.

Let's start at the top with President Paul Schulz leaving on an extended holiday shortly after the start of the season and only playing 14 recorded games at the club.

The Vice President who is a member of the bowls club, Vere Groombridge played only one competitive golf link round during the season.

Club Secretary Paul Chessman played only 3 competitive golf link rounds in the year whilst committee member Greg Schulz played just 5 golf link rounds.

The Captain John Thiele who is also a member of the bowls club, played just 6 competitive golf link rounds but hadn't played a competitive round at the club for the previous 7 years.

Another member of the bowls club and Vice Captain Ben Groombridge played only 10 competitive rounds at the club from a possible 44 games.

Another committee member Matthew Wohling played just 2 competitive golf link rounds at the club.

Paul Buck who resigned as the new Bar Manager just 48 hours after getting the gig became a member of the social committee and failed to play 1 competitive golf link round at the club.

Then there was the ongoing season embarrassment..........

Our Captain failed to lead the club at the Anzac Day shield between PV, Maitland and Ardrossan.
The club failed to have anyone at the YP Open.
The club failed to send a team to the YP Foursomes at Wallaroo.
The club failed to send a team to the Banks and Wilson at Warooka.
And the club failed to send our club champions to the YP Champion of Champions and Promnitz shield at Maitland.

So you may ask why did they accept the job on the executive committee and then not support the club by playing in its events.

Did that wink and a nod mean something else that most members are not privy to just yet?

Will they front up again for the positions - with what intention in mind?

It will all work itself out and be revealed within the next 12 months as the President continues to push for his community club.

01/01/2025

GOLF RIDES A WAVE OF GROWTH WHILST WE'RE LEFT STRANDED IN THE WADING POOL

Golf in Australia is riding a wave of unprecedented growth, celebrating its fifth consecutive year of Club Membership growth and a record amount of people playing golf with 3.8 million adult Australians playing golf in 2023-24.

However at Port Victoria we missed the wave as we didn't sign up one new member with a Port Victoria Golf Link number this year.

In fact we've lost members this year, probably the only club in Australia that just couldn't catch that wave.

It takes initiative and drive to increase membership as hundreds of clubs across the country know.

In the recent annual participation report released by Golf Australia, across the range of golf participation there was a 9% year-on-year rise, solidifying golf’s place as one of the nation’s most loved and accessible sports, with a remarkable 19 percent of adult Australians hitting a golf ball in 2023-24.

Golf club membership has also soared, growing by 5.6% to reach 459,143 members in 2023-24 — an impressive 19% growth over the past five years.

Junior participation has been a standout success, with junior membership skyrocketing by 33.4%, driven by a 37.3% increase among boys and a 13.8% increase among girls, reflecting the sport’s growing appeal to younger generations.

Women’s and girls’ participation continues its steady climb, with a 3.2% rise in membership, supported by initiatives like the R&A Women in Golf Charter and the Australian Golf Foundation’s Junior Girls Scholarship program, the latter seeing a 22.7% growth.

Golf Australia’s Chief Executive Officer, James Sutherland, highlighted the changing nature of the sport and the enormous rise in popularity over recent years.

“Golf is one of Australia’s biggest participation sports,” said Sutherland.

“With unprecedented participation growth over the last five years, our sport continues to evolve with new formats and entertainment options that provide new opportunities to welcome people to the game.

"Golf has never been more fun and accessible, and truly is a sport for all."

23/12/2024

SEASONS GREETINGS TO OUR LARGE READERSHIP

We'd like to wish all of our readers and followers a delightful Xmas and New Year and hope you and your families spend the time relaxing.

Thankyou for your support during the year and have a good one.

02/12/2024

WE FORCED THEM TO UPKEEP THE PAR 3

They were embarrassed and ashamed they let the Par 3 course deteriorate to the extent that it did.

So since season's end they have done some work on it but basically kept everything the former President designed and incorporated into the competition.

Except the Jackpot. They've now watered it down so that it is available on all holes and at a far reduced rate.

When the Par 3 was launched in November 2022 it had a Jackpot of $300 donated by a few sponsors. But it grew month in and month out because of the high numbers of players that flocked to play the competition.

Ah those were the heady days and under this regime probably won't be reached again.

At the start of March this year the Jackpot stood at just on $1,000

Here's a post that was made on this site back on October 12th 2023.
.....................THE JACKPOT KEEPS CLIMBING..................

The jackpot for a Hole In One on the Port Victoria Golf Club 9 holes Par 3 course keeps climbing.

It now stands at $745 and is available to be won every Friday night during a competitive round teeing off at 4pm.

The Hole In One is the No 5 hole a distance of 117 metres but normally into a prevailing sou-wester.

So club selection is all important. How much extra club do you need for the strength of the wind. Ah decisions, decisions.

If you're feeling lucky why not come and join us. It's only $2 a round match fee and an extra $2 if you want to take part in the Hole In One challenge.

08/11/2024

LOOKING BACK ON THE YEAR THAT WASN'T?

Our club failed to sign up a new member with a Port Victoria Golf Link number during the year.

We might need to put in a membership drive for next year.

The big question is were we ably led ?

Well our Captain did Fail to lead the club at the Anzac Day shield between PV, Maitland and Ardrossan.

The club Failed to have anyone at the YP Open.

The club Failed to send a team to the YP Foursomes at Wallaroo.

The club Failed to send a team to the Banks and Wilson at Warooka.

And the club Failed to send our club champions to the YP Champion of Champions and Promnitz shield at Maitland.

As well, are our books looking to make a loss this year??

Well there's the off season to prepare for a better year in 2025.

Lets hope.

08/10/2024

THE PAR 3'S NEGLECT A DISGRACE FOR OUR CLUB

The Par 3 course at Port Victoria has been neglected and left without maintenance during this year by the new committee.

The former President who has not had anything to do with the club or this page since March must wonder what his former Captain thinks of this mess.

Both members were responsible for the concept, obtaining grant funding, sourcing of materials, work and implementation of the Par 3 course which was designed to have a facility that the public and visitors could use during the summer season when the club was normally closed.

Over the first 2 years and after the official opening by the YPC Mayor the Par 3 course brought in thousands of dollars in extra revenue for the club with competitions being played on Wednesdays and Fridays each week.

Unfortunately since March there's been a massive fall off in players with the last to play the course back in May.

There's been no competitions, no advertising and no marketing.

It's an absolute disgrace that such a facility should be let go in this way despite all the hoo ha coming from one of its main detractors on the new committee.

One member has raised the question that there may be a conflict as most of the senior executive are also office holders at the local Bowls club which has its season in summer.

Anyway it is deplorable to see the course in such a state and the big losers are those visitors who flocked to the course during 2022 and 2023.

29/08/2024

GOING FOR THE DRIVER DOWN 18.......GOOD LUCK