It is business as usual at Benoni Country Club
Despite the dark, looming cloud of the proposed development or sale of the land at Benoni Country Club (BCC), business continues as usual.
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The club held their annual general meeting on Thursday, July 28, which afforded the opportunity to showcase the growth that BCC has had in the last year.
READ: Development threatens Benoni Country Club’s existence
The BCC executive committee was applauded by members for the vast amount of work done in bringing the facility to the community of Benoni.
At the meeting a new motto/slogan for the club was proposed and unanimously voted in.
Going forward with the aggressive marketing plan on membership, BCC will use their new motto: “Home to Benoni’s community”.
BCC’s transformation and development strategy is already paying dividends.
Patrick Gumunyu, who was elected onto the executive committee last year and who is still the current holder of this portfolio, has already brought about success stories.
A number of local underprivileged children were given membership of the club and are being tutored by Loyiso Barnes.
These development players are already staking a claim in the sport of golf, with Senzo Funeka, Bandile Mokoena and Siyabonga Magubane all winning their divisions at the recent Ekurhuleni Golf Union (EGU) tournaments.
The club is also in the final stages of negotiating a reciprocity agreement with the members of Daveyton Golf Club, to play and enjoy the facilities at BCC.
It was also revealed, at the AGM, that BCC’s bowls section raised over R150 000 for Muriel Brand School for children with disabilities and other special education needs, as well as many other initiatives for charities.
Complementary to its existing sporting facilities, the club has invested in new family-driven attractions, such as a craft bar, mountain bike (MTB) track, children’s play area and pizzeria, to cater for the increased activity.
The club has also hosted many community-driven projects, including the Peacock Night Runs, craft markets and cycle races.
BCC recorded over 8 000 rides over the MTB track in the past year.
“The MTB track is the only safe community-owned track in Benoni and many families are seen enjoying the wildlife and riding through the forests over the weekends,” said Darren Millington, CEO of BCC.
“All this has had a massive impact on the increased membership of the club.
“Golf rounds number over 41 500 for the past year, which makes BCC one the busiest courses in the area.
“It is no wonder that the club continues to soar up the course rankings in the country.
“It has risen from position 89th to 81st in the best courses in South Africa rankings.
“The executive committee, having restored the club to a much healthier financial position, has pledged to continue to invest into continuous upgrades and improvements to the facilities, as it is ‘Home to Benoni’s community’.”
With regard to the ongoing threat of development or sale of the land by the Ekurhuleni Metro and the public participation process meeting to be held at BCC on Wednesday, August 17, at 7pm, the club is calling for the full support of the community at this meeting.
In the meantime, an online petition against the proposed development or sale of the property to developers has been created.
Members of the public who are against the development or sale can sign the virtual petition on the link www.ipetitions.com/petition/save-bcc.
“Public participation is the only way in which we can save our 110 year old club,” added the CEO.
Also read:
Council approves report for Benoni Country Club public participation process
History of Benoni Country Club
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