Multi-phase approach adopted for golf club recovery

A THREE-phase recovery plan has been initiated to save the beleaguered Bluff National Park Golf Club.

The plan was introduced by the club’s manager, Marcus Ingram and captain, Monay Pretorius, ward 66 councillor, Duncan Du Bois and non-members, Peter Worman and Gary Vahl following a strategy meeting on Wednesday, 27 August.

Du Bois believes the plan is necessary to ensure the long term sustainability of the green lung space, which the golf club occupies. The councillor wants to dispel doubts that a turn-around is possible. “As the club’s manager has stated, ‘the management team that put the club in this precarious financial situation has been given the boot.’ It is the task of the new management to rectify and restore the club’s finances,” said Du Bois.

Phase one of the strategy involves reducing expenses and improving cash flow. Small fundraising events and the fund set up by the ward councillor form the foundation of this. To date, the attempt to raise R400,000 through residents donating R400 each has raised R25,000 since it began nearly a month ago.

The second phase requires a diversification of the club’s activities. “The club can’t just cater to a small group of people. We need to offer more opportunities to the community,” said Ingram. Big ticket events are the first step towards this goal, with two musical festivals planned.

The first festival on Wednesday, 24 September will see Kurt Darren, Robbie Wessels, Die Campbells, Snotkop, Dewald Wasserfall, Pieter Smith and the Blarney Brothers take to the stage. The second in December will host Steve Hofmeyer.

The formation of a golfing estate is envisioned for phase three of the rescue strategy. A steering committee has been put in place to oversee this three-phase plan.

“The need to ensure the success of this strategy can’t be over-emphasised. To achieve that, the assistance of the Bluff community is required. We can’t afford to sit back and watch an area, which is like Central Park to New York, become derelict. It would be a legacy on which future generations would judge us very harshly,” said Du Bois.

Donations can be made in the club’s fund – Nedbank current account, account number 107 9066 233, branch code 130826. Donors should use their names as a reference.

Tickets for the September musical festival are on sale through Computicket at R175 for adults and R50 for children over 13. For information, call 074-830-5753.