Give people a reason to help Bluff golf course
We have all heard the stories and seen the smoke, so I guess there must be fire. If the BCFC can confirm that bunch is out, they may get more donors making a deposit.
EDITOR – This is in response to the appeal for donations to save the Bluff National Park Golf Course, as printed in last week’s edition of the Sun.
The article states that the BCF committee was formed to tackle the financial crisis, but it did not state that the management team that put the club in this precarious situation has been given the boot.
We have all heard the stories and seen the smoke, so I guess there must be fire. If the BCFC can confirm that bunch is out, they may get more donors making a deposit. Secondly, we all know that people love to get something for their money so let’s use our imagination and offer something in exchange for their hard earned R400. How about a one-year ‘Save the BNPGC’ membership which will entitle the donor to four rounds of golf at a discounted price, or four free buckets of balls at the driving range, or free access for a year to the practise facilities, or four buy 1 get 1 free (BOGOF) vouchers for drinks at the pub, or a 40% discount on venue hire – or all or a combination of the above? My cheque for R400 is in the post. However if there is a positive response to my suggestion, I will cancel the cheque immediately and do an EFT.
Dear Paul,
In response to your letter “Give people a reason to help Bluff golf course”
The Bluff Combined Facility Committee (BCFC) was indeed formed to help tackle the financial crises at the Bluff National Park Golf Club. However, the brain child of the concept, Mr. Clint Landsberg obviously envisaged the BCFC assisting the entire Bluff regions’ clubs on a financial basis. It is just that the most pressing need currently is the golf club.
With respect sir, and in your own words,”the management team that put the club in this precarious situation has been given the boot.” I think this statement needs to be qualified; the current management structure of the club is new, from the club captain in January 2013 to the club manager in July 2014. The clubs financial woes did not arrive overnight, as late as 2009/2010 financial year the club was in the red and this stemmed from a variety of reasons which I will name but a few:
1. Diminished number of rounds per month, economic downturn, golf perceived as a luxury
2. Diminished number of member base, PlayMore Golf began in2007
3. Mismanagement of Bluff clubs funds
The “bunch” that you are referring to is definitely out. The monies paid into the fund are strictly managed; systems have been put in place for the management of the money whereby three different signatories must sign off any transactions.
Finally, what people get in exchange for their donation is the survival of this green lung. I do not mean to sound flippant but this is the stark reality. Every cent donated will be a step to saving this green lung, remembering of course that this green lung extends from Fynnlands / Bluff Bowling Club right through the valley to Bluff Nature Reserve. In saying this though, I do agree that people like to get something in exchange for their outlay donation. To this end, if a donation is made on our Fundraiser Sunday 24 August or possible future events, the donator will be entitled to a free round of golf. They will be given a voucher by the office redeemable at the pro shop
Kind regards,
Marcus Ingram
Club Manager
https://www.citizen.co.za/southlands-sun/29107/sports-bodies-unite-behind-cash-strapped-golf-course/
With regards to the initial article relating the Bluff National Golf Course and the Bluff Combined Facility Committee (BCFC), I would like to expand on this with the following:
– BCFC was formed by the existing committee members of the various Bluff Sporting Disciplines on the 14th July 2014
– BCFC was formed due to the situation of the Bluff National Golf Course and realising that in fact ALL our Bluff facilities face very similar challenges
– We believe that this formation is long overdue and with modern practices, our facilities no longer sit in their own corner creating a web of clicky ageing members with no succession plans
BCFC is still in the infancy stage and with all of us having full time careers, we are making the best time possible to commit and dedicate ourselves to assist in the growth and sustainability of all our Bluff Community Facilities. Some may donate R1000 towards a cause; the volunteers behind the scenes donate a million rands worth of their time
We welcome you into our facilities at any given time, not just on a social level but to take a trip behind the scenes of what is involved in keeping our children off the streets and on sports fields. The time that takes each coach per week away from their own family to fulfil not only a passion but a reason for given back to your community, your child, your nephew, your niece, your brother, your sister, your grandchild or your family friend…
Below is what we envisage BCFC to be
Our MISSION is to create a transfer of assistance between the various Bluff disciplines and its facilities for the community
Our VISION is to ensure safe and sustainable facilities for the Bluff Community and to share the Power of Sport thru Community participation
Our Values are to preserve and improve the Bluff Community Facilities by creating a platform of awareness, education, transparency & integrity between our Facilities, our Community, our Children & our Sponsors
Proposed Benefits
• Centralised administration, outsourcing the Financial management of each facility to ensure transparency to both the Community and members (Committee then focuses only on community & member satisfaction)
• Coordinate functions
• Speak with one voice to Partners (Tourism, MEC’s, EThekwini, Councillors, Sponsors, Sport Development depts., Media etc)
• Ensure Marketing & Social media presence
• Transfer of assistance (Cross boundary facility usage for fundraising, reward systems for existing members)
• Incorporate succession plans (Create awareness & educate the community, schools, churches on diminishing sports such as bowls, tennis, pigeon racing etc)
• Identify facilities of concern early & incorporate a successful strategy plan
• Address facility staff concerns
For any queries or assistance please feel free to contact me. My details are on my profile
Yours in Sport
Clint
Vice-Chairman Fynnland Combined Sports Club & Football Coach
BCFC Member