R15,000 start to golf rescue plan
Money is being raised but Bluffites question the need.
WHILE there’s already been over R15,000 raised, there’s also concern over ward 66 councillor, Duncan Du Bois’ call for the community to donate money to assist the cash-strapped golf course.
Bluffites took to social media last week in response to the councillor’s request for a donation od R400 from willing residents to raise R400,000 to maintain the Bluff’s ‘green lung’. On Facebook numerous people questioned who would be responsible for managing the donated funds and what they would be getting in return for their donation as the golf course only caters to a small group of the community.
“While a positive response to the initiative is underway, rightly, concerns, are being raised as to the management of those funds,” said Du Bois.
“The way forward in this venture needs to be directed by two beacons – accountability and transparency. Although this has not been tabled as yet, it needs to be appreciated that a new dispensation is evolving as to how the golf course area is managed.
By accepting we are mutual stakeholders in the green lung valley, it must be acknowledged that a new stewardship is in the making. That stewardship requires an oversight role as a result of its investment. Therefore, it is necessary that a small steering group representative of the new stewards is assembled as soon as possible.
Such a step is critical in order to ensure that the funds accumulating are appropriately used; also to assure donors and prospective donors of R400 apiece that their contribution is secure and worthwhile.”
As of Monday, 18 August, R15,000 had been donated into the fund, according to club manager, Marcus Ingram. But the R400,000 the councillor hopes to raise is a mere drop in the ocean for the funds needed to resuscitate the club in this time-sensitive rescue operation, according to Ingram. Club members decided three months would be set from 1 July to turn around the financial crises or it will be shut down.
Club members are discussing other viable fundraising initiatives, which include a family fun day on Sunday, 24 August. The event starts at noon and is the first of many initiatives aimed at answering the call by the community to be more inclusive. There will be train rides and other entertainment for children, golf for the enthusiasts, a live band and lunch on sale. It starts at noon and entrance is free.
