o find out for myself I made a visit to one of my local clubs, Shifnal in Shropshire, to meet up with Ian Fitzpatrick, their current Greens Chairman. Ian has a twenty-year association with the club and, in that time, has served on several committees as well as being Club Captain. Ian began our
T
conversation by talking about the challenges most golf clubs were facing and the need for them to evolve and embrace new opportunities. Retaining a full playing
membership is getting more and more difficult for many clubs. With over 2,500 courses in the UK and an increasing number of pay and play facilities there is fierce competition for the player’s pound. Even long established courses face constant pressure to provide top quality playing surfaces at bargain prices. Gone are the days of 2- 3 year waiting lists when membership numbers were always full with fees
paid up front. In recent years there has been a decline in membership, with some clubs not even having a full compliment of members, which in turn can have a knock on effect for their finances. At the moment Shifnal
are maintaining their membership levels, with over 400 full fee paying members and a further 300 Ladies, juniors and life members. However, Ian
emphasised that they cannot afford to sit in the comfort zone, they need to constantly monitor their performance and meet their members’ expectations. Principally, the aim is to provide members with a challenging golfing experience at a well- managed facility that caters for their requirements both on and off the course.
It is crucial that the club is well run on all fronts. However, Ian accepts that it is the quality and performance of the golf course itself that dictates the success and reputation of the
club. This was the opportune time to ask him about his role and his relationship with his Head Greenkeeper and staff
IAN is well aware that the relationship between him and his greenkeeping staff is vital for the success of the club. He considers himself lucky that he and his Head Greenkeeper, Peter Leith, have known each other for well over twenty years and, more importantly, have a mutual respect and understanding of one another’s roles and aspirations for the club. Ian has been Greens Chairman for two and half years and is now serving his last term in office. He would like to be remembered for initiating some
management decisions that have improved the efficiency and finances of the club.
One of his first changes
resulted in the club saving over £20k per year. The course used to have 6 full time greenstaff plus seasonal workers
“... the aim is to provide members with a challenging golfing
experience” IAN FITZPATRICK
22
www.pitchcare.com/re
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