GCM

MARCH 2010

The
Business

VOLUME 6 • ISSUE 3
MAGAZINE
FOR THE GOLF INDUSTRY
GOLF CLUB MANAGEMENT Visit www.compleatgolfer.co.za for back issues of GCM

IMPENDING WATER
SHORTAGES
It is time for
golf clubs to act
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:
■ Algae and moss control
■ Trees for courses

■ Keys to successful retailing

■ Is the game too expensive?

BROUGHT TO YOU BY
GCM IS PRINTED ON
 EDITOR’S LETTER
CONTENTS
BIRDIES AND BOGEYS
Snippets of news from the last month 4
TURF MANAGEMENT
Algae and moss control 7
EQUIPMENT NEWS
11

FROM
Floats like a butterfly – mows like a Toro
TREES FOR COURSES
Where to find indigenous trees 12
ENVIRONMENT
16

THE EDITOR
Water: our most precious resource
HUMAN RESOURCES
Understanding the CCMA 19
MANAGER OF THE MONTH
Jerry Fraser of Parkview 20
PGA OF SA
Interview with Rolf Busch 25 AIMING FOR THE ‘GREEN’ STARS
The start of 2010 was for more encourag-
RETAIL
Golf retail 101 28 ing for some than others. The shocking
news was that Knysna Golf Club’s clubhouse
THE LAST WORD
Is the game of golf broken? 30 burned down. At the time of going to print, it
was assumed that the fire started not in the
COVER PICTURE kitchen, usually the danger area, but in the
The ‘new’ Houghton Golf Club showers, the result of a faulty paraffin water
(Image courtesy of Jamie Thom)
heater. Club captain John Edwards pointed
■ EDITORIAL
out that the good news was that nobody was
JOHN BOTHA hurt, and that the club had updated its insur-
E-mail: bogeyfree@mweb.co.za ance cover shortly before the clubhouse was
Cell: 082 498 7380 lost. But no amount of money can replace
■ PUBLISHER the trophies and other memorabilia that was
SIMON TURCK consumed by the fire. It was also encourag-
E-mail: simon@ramsaymedia.co.za ing to note that as soon as the news of this
Cell: 083 252 8387 devastating fire broke, the golfing community
■ ADVERTISING immediately banded together and, among
JAMES FERRANS (NATIONAL SALES MANAGER) others, Dale Hayes and Alastair Beaumont
E-mail: jamesf@ramsaymedia.co.za began formulating a plan for clubs to help
Cell: 084 252 6373 Knysna in its time need. This is the sort of
NICKY MEARS (ADVERTISING SALES EXECUTIVE) response that one might expect from people
E-mail: nickym@ramsaymedia.co.za in our industry, and one that should make us
Cell: 082 927 5408 proud to be part of the golfing family.
To request your copy of GCM, subscribe to But come fire or flood (and Knysna has
Compleat Golfer by calling 0860 100 205 had its share of floods as well), the mem-
(indicating that you would like to be placed on the bers of Knysna Golf Club have continued to
GCM mailing list) or go to www.compleatgolfer.co.za
support their club, and management was
to download your free copy.
quick to set up a temporary facility and the
A monthly business-to-business magazine
brought to you by show goes on – well done!
Regular readers of GCM will know that
we are committed to improving golf’s image
when it comes to environmental matters, and
our latest project involves rewarding clubs
that are not only environmentally conscious,
but that are making a real effort to green up
their act. A panel of experts from various
fields will be putting together a blueprint of
environmental best practice, and in next
month’s issue will be introducing the panel,
and we will explain how clubs can register for
inclusion in this programme. Deserving clubs
will then be awarded ‘Green Star’ status.
Again it has been encouraging how these
experts have gladly volunteered to give of
their time and expertise to make a meaning-
ful contribution to the game. Less encour-
aging has been the response of managers
and committees of golf clubs to our appeal
to begin our tree register, so I will again ask
clubs to supply us with details of tree-
planting programmes that are either planned
or currently being undertaken. Our resident
tree expert Val Thomas is only too happy to
assist clubs seeking guidance on how and
where to plant indigenous trees, and no
matter where your club might be located in
South Africa, Val will have the answers.
In this month’s issue we have pleasure
of introducing a new contributor to GCM,
Megan Taylor of Rand Water. Megan is an
environmentalist who holds a BSc degree,
and she will be writing a regular feature on
water issues pertaining to golf courses and
will also be member of our Green Star panel.
Finally, the opening of the new Houghton
course has certainly been worth waiting
for. The property development may have
gone awry, but Johannesburg has a new,
truly world-class facility, and competition for
rounds and membership has just become
more intense in the Johannesburg area –
not a bad thing. If this means clubs having
to further streamline their operations and
having to offer better value to their mem-
bers and guests, so be it. Most
importantly, if a new course
means more golfers being
attracted to the game,
we all benefit.

Golf Club Management March 2010 3

BIRDIES AND BOGEYS
DAVE KIRKBY TO PART
COMPANY WITH TOPTURF
For more than three decades Dave
Kirkby’s name has been synonymous
with TopTurf, but at the end of July, Dave
will be leaving the company.
“Since some major management
changes were made in the company,
LLOYD MOVES
TO FANCOURT
Lloyd Martindale has
left his beloved George
Golf Club to join
Fancourt as golf man-
ager. Lloyd (left) has a
wealth of experience
in club management,
ESHOWE REVAMP
NEARS COMPLETION
Work on Eshowe Hills Eco Estate’s
golf course is nearing completion,
and we are told that Jeff Hawkes,
who upgraded the front last year,
will complete his work on the back
by April this year. All services are
installed, roads on this estate have
been completed, and Eshowe looks to
be a strong contender for our award
for the ‘Most Improved’ course in
KZN. The developers have also made
a concerted effort to eradicate alien
species of trees from the course and
its surrounds. All the common ground,
the golf course and the tennis and
squash courts have been transferred
to the homeowner’s association.
4 March 2010 Golf Club Management
I have been unable to establish a
productive working relationship with the
exco or the board,” he says.
GCM
GOLF CLUB MANAGEMENT
Dave has told GCM that he will
be happy to sit on our panel that will PREFERRED
S U P
evaluate golf courses for our Green Star P L I E R
awards, and we are fortunate in having
someone of his calibre on board.
GCM PREFERRED
SUPPLIER LIST
having spent time at GCM is making the process of choosing a
Goldfields West and reputable supplier easy through an instant
Maccauvlei before referral system – the GCM Preferred
being appointed as Supplier list, which is available to all key
George GC’s manager decision makers in the industry. Below are
in 2005. Sandra the first of our Preferred Suppliers.
Lennox (right), for- For more information or to find out wheth-
merly Lloyd’s assistant, has taken over er you qualify as a GCM preferred supplier,
as manager of George Golf Club. contact: Simon Turck on 082 252 8387
or simon@ramsaymedia.co.za or Natalie
Shekleton on 011 301 4448 or
natalies@ramsaymedia.co.za
COMMENTATORS
WALK THE TALK
The golf commentary team for the
co-sanctioned events on the Sun-
shine Tour recently visited Zwartkop SMITH TURF EQUIPMENT
and were joined by a group of mem- Started in 1991, Smith Turf is the
bers for a social golf day. Special sole distributor in Southern Africa
guest Simon Hobday, who com- for Toro equipment.
plained bitterly about swinging the 011 284 2000
club poorly, shot 66, and host Dale www.smithturf.co.za
Hayes, who did not score as well on
the day, was nonetheless encouraged
by the fact that he can still out-drive
‘Hutchie’ – but only just.
LEFT TO RIGHT: Dougie Donnelly, Julian
Tutt, Simon Hobday, Denis Hutchinson and
Dale Hayes.
GOLFTIMESA
GolfTimeSA delivers online tee-time
reservations and golf club IT.
012 665 2299
www.golftimesa.co.za
ON COURSE GOLFING
SOLUTIONS
Suppliers of GPS
Management Systems.
082 901 6184
andrew@oncoursegps.co.za

The ‘new’
HougHTon
opened
Houghton Golf Club again takes its place among South
Africa’s premier golfing facilities, and the new course and
clubhouse is very different from what it was, the general
consensus is that the ‘new’ Houghton is a big improvement.
The planned property develop-
ment (which included 280 upmarket
apartments and a 180-room hotel)
at Houghton may have turned into a
debacle, but despite the grandiose plan
being put on hold, the club is again open
for business, complete with a new-look
Jack Nicklaus-designed course and a
modern, functional clubhouse.
Richard Kaplan, director of golf at
Houghton, told GCM that while a ‘quiet’
opening was held early in January, another
grand opening is planned once every detail
has been taken care of and the operation
is fully operational. All the signs would
suggest that the new facility is likely to
attract many of the original members that
joined other clubs when Houghton closed,
as well as new members. “We now have
more than 500 members… and count-
ing,” said Kaplan, who is determined that
his club will soon be an obvious choice for
a 5-Star Golf Experience Award.
Available space prevented designer
Birdies and Bogeys
SHARING
YOUR
VISION
Contractors in golf course
design, construction,
renovation and
maintenance.
Nicklaus from creating an ultra-long
layout, but what the new layout lacks
in length it certainly makes up for by The affordable option!
testing strategy and shot-making. “Short
does not mean easy,” says Kaplan, who Contact: Robbie Richardson
enjoyed a successful professional career
after an amateur career that included +27 82 468 4772
international honours and victory in the
Brabazon Trophy.
The new entrance and clubhouse is
cts.co.za
roje
very much 21st century, and it would be
np
ree
hard for the first-time visitor to appreci-
ate that this club has a long and illustri-
tog
tee
ous history, which includes hosting eight
.
ww
SA Open Championships. However, the
new design featuring the mature trees,
although very different to the original w
course constructed in 1926, has re-
v
tained its classic parkland feel. It is clear
that the construction of the new course,
done by Golf Data, was to the highest
standards, and it will not be surprising to
see this facility again become one of the
most popular in Johannesburg.

ALGAE AND MOSS
CONTROL IN TURF
Malcolm Bromley, chairman of the Golf Course Managers and Greenkeepers
Association offers advice on the identification and treatment of algae and moss.
Infestations of algae and moss in the turf are
associated with unfavourable conditions for
growing healthy, dense turf.
Algae are unicellular or multi-cellular
threadlike green plants that form a thin,
dense, green scum over the soil surface. This
scum forms a tough black crust when dry
which acts as a barrier impeding the entrance
of water and nutrients into the soil. Algae are
competitive in compacted, waterlogged soils
and during warm, sunny, humid conditions.
Mosses are green plants with leaves arising
from all sides of a central axis. Mosses may
grow erect or prostrate. They typically form a
thick green mat at the soil surface. Conditions
favouring the growth of mosses include low
fertility, poorly drained soils, high soil acidity,
excessively wet soils, soil compaction, exces-
sive thatch or a combination of these factors
that add up to thin or weak turf. Mosses are
very competitive in cool, moist, shaded loca-
tions, such as the south side of greens and
wooded areas.
Physical or chemical removal of these
pests will only be temporary unless growing
conditions are improved. In some areas you
may choose to use a mulch cover (pine straw,
bark, etc) or plant a shade-tolerant ground
cover instead of turfgrass. The following prac-
tices can help you prevent or control algae
and moss.
CULTURAL
■ Plant shade-tolerant grasses. Ask your seed
supplier for good varieties.
■ Conduct a soil test to determine proper lime
and fertilizer needs. Lime is necessary to
reduce soil acidity. Proper fertilization will
aid in preventing weed encroachment.
■ Avoid excessive watering and improve
irrigation scheduling if necessary.
TURF MANAGEMENT
ABOVE: Physical and chemical removal of moss
and algae will only be temporary unless growing
conditions are improved.
RIGHT: Besides being unsightly, this pest adversely
affects the roll of the ball.
■ Aerify (core) compacted soils. moss is damp offers another means of con-
■ Increase air movement and light penetra- trol. Ferrous ammonium sulphate should
tion in shaded areas by removing unneces- not be watered in. An application of 240
sary undergrowth and pruning tree limbs. to 500kg of ground limestone per hectare
■ Improve drainage. prior to reseeding will help to inactivate the
copper sulphate that may be toxic to grass
CHEMICAL seedlings. Physical removal of the moss by
■ Algae may be controlled with copper raking may be needed to allow for recovery
sulphate at the rate of six to nine kilograms in these areas. Prepare a new seedbed and
per hectare or one teaspoon in 30 litres replant if large bare areas exist. ■
of water. An application of 240 to 500kg
of ground limestone per hecatre prior to
reseeding will help to inactivate the cop-
per sulphate that may be toxic to grass
seedlings. Punch holes in the algae crust or
remove the crust entirely to allow turf recov-
ery in these areas. Prepare a new seedbed
and replant if large bare areas exist.
■ Moss may be controlled with copper or fer-
rous sulphate sprayed at 15 kilograms per
hectare in 1 600 litres of water.
Applying concentrated amounts (30
kilograms per hectare) of ferrous ammo-
nium sulphate to the moss spots when the
Golf Club Management March 2010 7
John Deere Promotion

Jackal creek goes

green
The recently opened Jackal Creek Golf Estate
has received rave reviews for its design and
conditioning, and when it came to choos-
ing a brand of turf-maintenance equipment,
John Deere was awarded the contract.
The marketing blurb for Jackal Creek Golf
Estate proclaims that this unique devel-
opment is for the “young and upwards
mobile” – apartment-style living in rather
special surroundings. With one, two and
three-bedroom apartments built in ‘clus-
ters’ around the course, there are presently
1 200 apartments that have been com-
pleted, out of a planned 2 500, which will
be situated in nine separate ‘villages’.
Located in the Honeydew area close
to Randburg, Jackal Creek Estate covers
a large area – some 160 hectares, and
certainly offers the feel of country living
close to the major centres, complete with
magnificent views of the Magaliesberg. The
course was designed by the DDV Design
Group, and the layout, unlike many estate
courses, offers a sense of space and is
perfectly routed.
The decision to go with John Deere
equipment was one that was obviously not
taken lightly, but after the developers took
a careful look at the proposals presented
by the major players in the industry, it
was decided to ‘go green’. Evergreen
Turf, responsible for the growing-in of the
course and the on-going maintenance, was
a major influence in the decision, and Ev-
ergreen’s Hantie Cloete, the man in charge
of the turf giant’s operations, is confident
that the decision was the right one. “This
was purely a business decision,” he says.
“We looked at the sizes and capabilities
of the various machines, and all things
considered, we decided on the John
Deere fleet.”
In the fiercely competitive field of turf ment, and Houghton committed to a fleet Afgri’s David Kelder, the supplier of
maintenance equipment, it is interesting of Jacobsen machines. “The fact is there is John Deere equipment, explains that a
to note that there has been a fair spread of very little to choose between the brands – lot of effort has gone into improving the
devotees of the different brands in Gauteng and service is an important factor; but even brand’s image, and he is now confident
– the recently unveiled Jack Nicklaus- in this department the difference is probably that service and spares availability is as
designed Serengeti uses only Toro equip- no more than five percent,” says Cloete. good as it gets. “Our team is well-drilled

8 march 2010 Golf Club Management

 JOHN DEERE PROMOTION

in the core values of the brand – integrity,

quality, commitment and innovation,” he
says. “The inroads that we have made into
the golf market during recent years prove
that course superintendents appreciate
that we supply a product that compares
favourably with any other on the market in
every respect. I am confident that as far as
comparing ‘spec for spec’, John Deere golf
and turf equipment will offer a consider-
able saving when purchasing new equip-
ment – as many of our satisfied customers
have discovered. We appreciate that many
clubs are very loyal to certain equipment
suppliers, but I would urge them to give us
the opportunity of quoting when they are
next considering replacing a machine or
fleet, and I have no doubt that they will be
impressed with our pricing and the result-
ing saving. I would also remind everyone in
the market that we are not simply selling a
more affordable product, but what is con-
sidered to be premium turf equipment.”
Evergreen’s chief course superintendent
Charl Potgieter needs no convincing that
the John Deere equipment at Jackal Creek
will do the job, and he is a self-confessed
fan of the brand. “I first worked with John
Deere equipment at Royal Durban. Later,
during the time I spent at Southbroom,
we converted our whole fleet to the brand TOP: Charl Potgieter will be responsible for the maintenance of Jackal Creek’s course, and is a
self-confessed fan of John Deere equipment.
over a period of time. I must say that we ABOVE LEFT: The designers of Jackal Creek Dino de Abreu (left) and Douw van der Merwe. Both the design
never experienced any problems, and we of the course and the surrounding landscaping has been highly acclaimed.
ABOVE RIGHT: Hantie Cloete of Evergreen (left) with Afgri’s David Kelder.
were well looked after by the agents. With
some exceptions – like a particularly good
machine that the various brands may have, For more information contact: Tel: 082 783 5432
there is very little to choose between the ■ AFGRI GOLF Region: KwaZulu-Natal
machines’ performance – it has a lot to David Kelder ■ ANDRAG AGRICO
do with the people that you deal with, and Tel: 071 689 9663 Stephen Osborn
John Deere has proved to have a reliable Regions: Gauteng, Limpopo Province, Tel: 083 444 9636
back-up service,” he says. Charl is also in Free State, Mpumalanga, North West Region: Cape Town
charge of Evergreen’s golf course mainte- Province, Northern Cape and export or
nance at Parys Golf Estate and Banken- countries, including Nigeria. Travis Rochat
veld, the new estate course in Witbank. ■ ■ MASCOR Tel: 084 516 3444
Doug Lyall Region: George

DAVID KELDER
Tel: +27 012 252 7665
Fax: +27 86 635 5018
Mobile: +27 71 689 9663
E-mail: david.kelder@afgri.co.za
Website: www.afgri.co.za

Golf Club Management March 2010 9

mayford promotion

proven and tested

cool-season grass varieties
as used at serengeti golf and Wildlife estate
MayFord provides proven and tested cool-season grass varieties, so it’s no
wonder the decision makers at Serengeti Golf and Wildlife Estate decided on
MayFord varieties when they constructed their golf course.

Perennial rye, Kentucky bluegrass, fine ■ Makes viable gains against poa annua
fescues, Tall fescues and creeping bent each year
grass were supplied for the fairways, rough, ■ Rich green colour
tees and native areas.
fine fescue
perennial rye ■ Tolerates high stress
■ Good playability ■ Low water usage
■ Dark green colour ■ Less fertilizer
■ Rapid germination ■ Reduced mowing
■ Fewer disease
KentucKy blue
■ Self-repairing Why establish fairWays pictured above: Rough mixture
■ High recuperative ability and rough With different
■ Dense stand species? ■ Potential cost saving
■ Use mixtures for genetic diversity
creeping bent grass t-1 ■ Resistance to disease and stress Important to remember: It is not about using
■ Tolerates low cut ■ Colour contrast alternative turfgrass species – it is about
■ Can be used on greens, tees and fairways ■ Improved transition using alternative turfgrass species correctly. ■

Sakata Seed Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd

Reg. No. 1950/039800/07

Tel: +27 11 548 2800 • Fax: +27 11 548 2820

E-mail: mayford@sakata-eu.com • Website: www.sakata.co.za
Postal address: PO Box 160, Lanseria, 1748

10 march 2010 Golf Club Management


Floats like a butterfly
mows like
a toro
Toro recently launched the new
Toro Groundsman 4300-D
rotary mower and it is already
being classed as the middle-
weight champion with its lightweight
footprint and the one-two combo of superior
hill-climbing plus extraordinary after-cut
appearance.
The Toro GM4300-D was developed to
address changing golf and maintenance
trends. These trends include the reduc-
tion in maintained rough acreage to lower
operational costs as well as the enlargement
of fairways to increase the speed of play.
Added to which mowers are expected to be
lighter so as to minimise the turf compaction
and to improve the ability to mow on soft or
wet ground. Capital budgets have also been
revised to suit the current economic climate
as well as ever-increasing pressure to meet
environmental impact standards.
Large-scale rotary mowers aren’t usually
known for ultra-precise cutting, but there is
an exception to the rule – the new Grounds-
master 4300-D. With a generous cutting
width of 2.3m (90”), this mower can cut
roughs in a record time. The cutting height
range varies from 19 to 102mm. Each of
its five Contour™ Plus cutting units closely
follow contours for an even cut on undu-
lating terrain. The Contour Plus™ rotary
free-floating cutting units are patented and
prevent almost all scalping. Air inlet pockets
keep grass standing tall for a clean cut on
every blade.
To finish the look the full-length heavy-duty
rear rollers provide a beautiful striping pattern
for spectacular results, even in the rough.
Steep slopes, terrain changes or even
long, wet grass will not slow this mower
down thanks to fancy footwork from the
CrossTrax™ four-wheel drive (all-wheel
drive) system and a powerful Kubota
four-cylinder 32.8kW (44HP) liquid-cooled
turbo-diesel engine. The front-drive wheels
of the Groundsmaster 4300-D are powered
by a hydrostatic pump with individual wheel
motors. All-wheel drive with the CrossTrax™
“... wet grass will not slow this mower
down thanks to Fancy Footwork From
the crosstrax™ Four-wheel drive... ”
All-Wheel Drive system, which transfers
power from the front wheels to the opposite
rear wheels via independent rear wheel mo-
tors, is standard. Together with the Contour
Plus™ engineering inside the decks, the
new GM4300-D achieves a quality of cut
typically reserved for smaller trim mowers.
This Toro rough-mower can mow up to
2.6 hectares per hour at 11.3km/h with no
overlaps or stops.
equipment news
Other outstanding characteristics include
easy access to routine service points and a
comfortable operator station. The mainte-
nance of the GM4300-D is made simpler
due to the fact that the traction unit is the
same as the Toro RM5610. This ensures
that the range of parts and maintenance
requirement are being narrowed down as
both these models use the same parts.
The operator is in command and well-
positioned on the seat that will give him a
full view of the surroundings. That includes
an adjustable seat (Air Ride Suspension is
optional) and integrated ControlHub™ with
fingertip electronic controls, making the
Groundsmaster 4300-D pound-for-pound
the finest rough-mower around. ■
The new Toro Groundsmaster 4300-D
is now available in South Africa from
Smith Turf Equipment. Visit
www.smithturf.co.za or contact them
on 011 284 2000.
Golf Club Management march 2010 11
TREES FOR COURSES
Where to find
INDIGENOUS TREES
Val Thomas explores the possibilities and problems golf
courses may encounter when buying trees.
In many of my articles over the past few
months we have talked about planting
indigenous trees on your golf course. My
emphasis is to plant the right trees in the
right places, and I have encouraged you to
plan for trees that grow naturally in similar
habitats in the wild near you. This month
we are going to explore the possibilities and
problems you could encounter when you
set out to buy the specific specimens you
have identified to put into your carefully
prepared holes.
As a first step many of you will contact
the plant nursery where you have the
soundest relationship and can expect the
best prices and service. Some of these
nurseries will do their best to research avail-
ability and make a real effort to source the
plants you require. This will often depend
on the depth and length of your previous
history as a customer. Perhaps if you offer
the carrot that you have a long-term, larger
tree-planting plan in mind that is based on
indigenous trees, they may try harder to find
Pterocarpus
angolensis
12 March 2010 Golf Club Management
your specific requirements. However, in my
experience, storekeepers of any kind prefer
to sell what is on their shelves and they are
most likely to make suggestions of alterna-
tive trees that they believe are ‘just as good’
as those that you chose initially.
In fact, if you have done your homework
carefully and taken into account all the
factors of future size, shape and speed of
growth, evergreen or deciduous leaves,
as well as your own particular soil type,
rockiness, water availability, summer or
winter rainfall, heat and cold, slope, and
wind factors too, then there will only be a
handful of candidate trees that suite you. In
very few places in South Africa (other than
near the forests of the eastern and southern
coasts and in some parts of the bushveld
and Lowveld) will you have a wide range
of indigenous trees that are ideal for your
needs. If you are offered an alternative, do
check with your original sources that the
suggested woody species will serve you as
well as your original choice.
Albizia
adianthifolia
Often, after your initial enquiry, you will
receive the answer that the plant you are
searching for is not available. Most nurseries
follow the golden rule of retail and put their
precious investment of stock into those lines
that (at that time) move fastest in their area.
And indigenous is a relatively new, albeit
fast-growing, passion. At that point it could
be easiest for you to give up, and resort to the
well-known exotic plants, which you know
and trust, and that you can pop in place
on your course next week! But if you are
prepared to make a few calls you will often be
able to track down your intended trees.
As in many other sales-orientated busi-
nesses, plant nurseries have two tiers for
selling products. Retail outlets provide a
service direct to the public often dealing in
single plants to purchasers. Wholesalers,
on the other hand, tend to be the growers,
and sell their product in larger quantities to
the retail nurseries. Some wholesalers will
deal with golf courses direct, as long as the
order is relatively substantial; others will be
 TREES FOR COURSES

helpful, but advise you to contact a specific KWAZULU-NATAL

retailer who will then place the order for ■ Gwahumbe Nursery, Illovo,
your requirements. 031 781 1919 or 082 678 1329
A few wholesalers grow trees for the whole ■ Isingisi, Greytown, 082 921 2134
country, but these will often follow the same ■ Sebenza Wholesale Farm, Margate,
principles as retailers and concentrate on 031 312 0378
the faster-moving lines. It is often a good
plan to ferret out a local grower that may be TREES WORTH FINDING
smaller, but is a specialist for your area. As FOR GOLF COURSES
my article is always driven by the Sappi Tree ■ FLAT-CROWN ALBIZIA
Spotting series, I have given you a map of Albizia adianthifolia
the coverage of each of these books. The Grow remarkably fast if watered when
nursery list below is not meant to be compre- young; moderately frost tolerant;
hensive, and the headings follow the same KwaZulu-Natal and northern bushveld
divisions as the Sappi series. Any nursery ■ KIAAT BLOODWOOD
that has been left off this list and would like 084 782 2240 or 011 705 2703 Pterocarpus angolensis
to be included in future articles can e-mail Fast-growing if watered; drought
val@highbranching.co.za. The trees I have BUSHVELD tolerant; bushveld
included this month are all specialists in one ■ Ilnika Wholesale Nursery, Naboomspruit, ■ SILVER-TREE
of these specific areas. 014 743 3867 Leucadendron argenteum
Fast-growing; drought- and wind-tolerant;
HIGHVELD CAPE short-lived, so use as a wind-break and
■ Bristle cone, Pretoria, 012 207 9904 ■ Karoo Desert National Botanical Gardens, grow other trees behind them; South-
■ Coprosma, Tarlton, 082 880 5019 Worcester, 023 3470785 Western Cape
■ Grow Wild Indigenous Nursery, Joburg, ■ New Plant Nursery, George, ■ HOOK-THORN ACACIA
011 465 8857 043 889 0055 Acacia caffra
■ Instant Trees, Joburg, 011 862 2101 ■ Just Trees, Paarl, 021 871 1595 Reasonably fast-growing if watered when
■ Malanseuns, Pretoria, 012 549 2128 young; frost- and drought-tolerant; High-
■ Random Harvest Nursery, Muldersdrift, LOWVELD veld, KwaZulu-Natal; bushveld; North-
082 553 0598 ■ Fishwicks Nursery, Nelspruit, Eastern Cape ■

■ Rosendal, Pretoria, 012 253 0442 0443 889 4312

■ Sun Gardens, Krugersdorp, ■ Skukuza Nusery, Skukuza,
082 554 2485 013 735 4312
■ Tip Top Nursery, Pretoria, ■ Treemart, Hazyview,
012 542 2103 082 323 7415
■ Witkoppen Wildflower Nursery, Fourways, Leucadendron
argenteum

Acacia caffra

Golf Club Management March 2010 13

 Your Golf Course.
Our Passion.

Arabella Golf Course

Steenberg Golf Course Hermanus Golf Course

King David Golf Course Mossel Bay Golf Club

Currently contracted at the above featured golf courses

Specialised golf course construction and maintenance
Cost effective outsourcing of golf course maintenance
Trained management and attention to detail
Personal involvement from the Directors
To enquire about the benefits of outsourcing please
contact us at stm@southernturf.co.za or on
082 412 3110 / 082 379 8959
The environmenT
WaTer: our most
preCious resourCe
Environmentalist Megan Taylor of Rand Water warns that golf courses should be
well aware of impending water shortages, and every club should be making an effort
to measure and reduce their consumption of this precious resource.
WhaT is rand WaTer?
Rand Water supplies bulk potable water
to local municipalities, mines and indus-
tries in Gauteng and parts of surrounding
provinces. A network of 3 056km of large
pipes feed 58 reservoirs with 3 653 million
litres of water daily. Rand Water is an organ
of state, reporting to the Department of
Water Affairs. Raw water, taken from the
Vaal River, is purchased from Water Affairs,
abstracted, purified, pumped to reservoirs,
and then sold on to municipalities.
WaTer Wise and
The Green indusTry
It is part of Rand Water’s mandate to educate
consumers regarding the need to use water
wisely, and this is done under the banner of
its Water Wise brand. Given that water use
in landscapes accounts for an estimated 31
to 50 percent of water supplied for domestic
or urban use, and that applying Water Wise
principles can save 10 to 32 percent of water
used, Rand Water’s Water Wise team has
worked alongside the Green Industry for many
years. Activities include, among others: arti-
cles in gardening, landscaping and environ-
mental magazines, TV and radio interviews,
sponsoring Water Wise trophies for show
gardens, exhibitions, and supplying Water
Wise educational material to garden centres,
projects such as a Water Wise food gardening
programme for schools, lectures and hosting
the Rand Water Horticultural Forum.
WaTer Wise Guide
To Golf Courses
Golf courses are seen as part of the Green
Industry, and as large consumers of water, it
16 march 2010 Golf Club Management
is vital that the golf industry is also on board ■ The Department of Water Affairs warned
with the country’s efforts to conserve water. in December 2008 that Gauteng could
Excellent work is being done at some golf face water shortages as soon as 2013 if
courses, and these industry leaders are pro- we continued with ‘business as usual’.
filed in Rand Water’s new publication due ■ While the next phase of the Lesotho
to be launched in March 2010: Water Wise Highlands Water Transfer Scheme has
Guide for Golf Courses. This 48-page bro- been approved, this would come on line
chure is packed with ideas, examples and by 2019 at the earliest. This means that
resources on how to save water on a golf Gauteng needs to weather the period
course. A well-thought-out water conserva- between 2013 and 2019 when demand
tion programme is holistic in approach, for water is likely to exceed supply.
and this booklet covers a wide range of ■ South Africa has run out of surplus water,
topics: wildlife, landscape plants, turf types, with 98 percent already allocated to users
storm-water harvesting and effluent re-use,
to name a few. Rather than going into
highly technical detail, the booklet spends
two or three pages on each topic, telling
the story behind the idea, and illustrating
it with examples of golf courses that have
implemented that idea. This brochure will
be available for download after the launch
in March. Details will follow.
The WaTer siTuaTion
in GauTenG
Why is it important for the sustainability
of golf courses that water conservation
becomes an item on every club manager
and greenkeeper’s agenda? To start, let us
consider the water situation in Gauteng.
■ The Vaal River system supplies 60 pecent
of the economy and 45 percent of the
population with water.
■ Of SA’s estimated 49.32 million people.
21.4 percent live in Gauteng (10.53
million people). Due to population growth
and with more people moving to the cities,
Gauteng’s demand for water is projected to
rise by 30 percent over the next 20 years.

at a high assurance of supply. On top
of this, the Water Resources of South
Africa 2005 study shows that SA has four
percent less water than estimated in the
1995 study. There is no more extra water
to play with, and demand is going to
continue growing with the population. The
only route open to us now is to find ways
to reduce, re-use and recycle. Many golf
courses are already using treated effluent
or captured storm water, which reduces
the demand on the potable water supplies.
WaTer use by golf courses
A golf course can use between 1.2 and
3 million litres of water per day, depending
obviously on season, the size of the golf
course, geographical area, and so on. There
are almost 500 golf courses in SA. If all
those golf courses use just 1.2 million litres
per day that is the equivalent of 3.04 million
households getting their 6 000 litres of free
basic water a month. At a rate of 2 million
litres per day, these golf courses equate to
5.07 million households. At 3 million litres
per day, that is the equivalent of 7.6 million
households’ worth of free basic water. Put
yourself in the shoes of a politician or local
counsellor, who has communities and resi-
dents clamouring on their doorstep because
they don’t have enough water. Where would
you look to find water? Golf courses could
be a target, given all the negative press they
have received about their high water use.
Water is a vital input into golf courses,
so for the sustainability of the business, the
“ every WaTer user needs To reduce
Their WaTer use...”
golf courses need to find ways to 1) reduce
their water use, and 2) be able to justify
their water use against competing de-
mands. This can be done, and all of the golf
courses featured in the Water Wise Guide
for Golf Courses are already doing this
to some extent. There is always room for
improvement, so water conservation needs
to be an ongoing programme. It also has
positive spin-offs in terms of cost savings
and a better image for the golf course.
iT all comes doWn To The
raW WaTer in rivers
Most of Gauteng’s rivers are in a sad state,
polluted and eroded. Golf courses can assist
by ensuring their waste water and runoff is
The environmenT
not polluted with excess fertilizers and pes-
ticides. Those close to streams or rivers can
help by slowing storm water runoff into these
watercourses so it does not erode banks and
wash away plants and river fauna.
Even though most golf courses do not
use municipal water, they still need to
reduce water use. At first, one would think
that by using alternative water sources such
as ground water, grey water from a hous-
ing development or captured storm water,
that a golf course is not contributing to the
impending water shortage. However, there
will not be enough potable water if there
is not enough raw water in the rivers. Grey
water from a housing development would
normally go to a municipal treatment works
and thereafter be released back into a river.
Storm water would either recharge ground
water or return to a river. What about
ground water? Ground water supplies are
not infinite, and if abstraction is greater than
the rate of recharge, these supplies can fail.
Golf courses can assist by creating opportu-
nities for water to infiltrate the ground and
recharge ground water.
The point is that there is not going to be
enough raw water to meet the demand for
potable water, and golf courses are intercept-
ing and using large quantities of water, which
means that less water returns to the rivers
or ground water. Every water user needs to
reduce their water use and look into re-use
and recycling options so that there will be
enough for everyone. Golf courses can make
a significant difference because they have
the ability to save large quantities of water.
measure and moniTor
Golf courses need to keep records of their
water use, as nothing can be managed if it
can’t be measured. Once records are avail-
able, the impact of different water-saving
measures can be determined. ■
Golf Club Management march 2010 17
 2009 champions

U R STRO
TE

KE
A
SA AM

PLAY
·
· C

SA INTER H

IP
PROVINCIAL AM H
PIONS

Ryan Dreyer Kwazulu-Natal JG Claassen

2010 Premier Events:

9-12 February South African Stroke Play Championship Pearl Valley Golf Estates, Paarl
28 Feb-5 March Glacier SA Amateur Championship East London Golf Club
20-24 September SA Inter-Provincial Tournament Pretoria Country Club

www.saga.co.za
PROUD SUPPORTERS OF SAGA’S PREMIER EVENTS:

UNDERSTANDING
the process of the CCMA
As an increasing number of labour disputes are taken to the CCMA every year, what does
your business need to know about the processes of the CCMA? We spoke to labour relations
consultant Bernard Reisner of Cape Labour to get a better understanding of the CCMA.
What is the CCMA?
The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation
and Arbitration (CCMA) is a dispute resolu-
tion body established in terms of the Labour
Relations Act, 66 of 1995 (LRA). It is an
independent statutory body, does not belong
to and is not controlled by any
political party, trade union or business.
In what instances could a golf estate be
taken to the CCMA?
An employee can take a golf estate to the
CCMA in respect to an alleged unfair dismiss-
al on the grounds of misconduct, incapacity,
operational requirements or for a constructive
dismissal. Furthermore, an employee can
allege an unfair labour practice and can refer
a labour dispute to the CCMA regarding unfair
conduct relating to a promotion, a demo-
tion, reduction in salary, unfair suspension
or a failure to reinstate or re-employ a former
employee in terms of an agreement.
Another reason an employee can take
a golf estate to the CCMA would be on the
grounds of alleged unfair discrimination relat-
ing to race, colour, sex, marital status, family
responsibilities, pregnancy, age or religion.
What are the processes at the CCMA?
When a dispute is referred to the CCMA, the
parties are required to go through the proc-
HOSPITALITY & LEISURE INDUSTRY
ess of conciliation before the matter can be
referred to arbitration, where a commissioner
facilitates possible settlement discussions
between the parties. The commissioner does
not have any powers to make decisions, but
may merely make recommendations regard-
ing a settlement. The CCMA does not grant
postponements of conciliation proceedings.
If an employee fails to attend a conciliation
process the dispute can still be referred by the
employee to the next stage, be it arbitration or
Labour Court.
A certificate of outcome will be issued
certifying that the dispute remains unresolved.
If the matter is settled, the commissioner will
draft a settlement agreement recording the
terms of the settlement. Hereafter, the
commissioner will explain the terms of the
settlement to both parties and obtain both
parties’ signature. A copy of the settlement
agreement will be issued to the parties and a
certificate of outcome will be issued certifying
that the dispute is resolved.
The second process is arbitration. An
arbitration hearing is more formal than
conciliation. The commissioner will record the
proceedings and make a formal decision in
terms of handing down an arbitration award.
The award is legally binding on both parties,
although the parties can apply to the Labour
Court for a review if they are dissatisfied.
www.hospitalityjobsafrica.co.za
ONLINE RECRUITMENT
FOR THE
HUMAN RESOURCES
Do all employer/employee labour disputes
have to be referred to the CCMA or are there
other dispute resolution forums?
Generally labour disputes are referred to the
CCMA. However, labour disputes can also
be referred to bargaining councils which are
voluntarily bodies comprising registered trade
unions and employer associations and are
registered by the Department of Labour in
respect to particular sectors and areas.
Labour disputes can also be referred to pri-
vate arbitration in terms of the Arbitration Act.
What is the burden of proof?
During a disciplinary hearing, for instance,
there are several factors that an employer
needs to prove. It is necessary for the
employer to show proof, on a balance of prob-
ability, that the employee committed the act
of misconduct, for which he or she has been
charged. This is essential prior to finding the
employee guilty and deciding on a suitable
punishment. The employer also needs to
prove that the desired punishment is justified.
The punishment must fit the crime.
■
For further information on any labour-related
matters contact Bernard Reisner:
Tel: 021 423 3959
E-mail: bernard@capelabour.co.za
Website: www.capelabour.co.za
Golf Club Management March 2010 19
 EXTRA SPECIAL MAnAgER of ThE MonTh

PARkvIEw’S
JERRy fRASER
fIngER on ThE PuLSE
Parkview has been one of Johannesburg’s golfing institutions The economic downturn has not managed
since 1916 and, despite its new look, remains a traditional to dent this operation, and rounds continue
to flow. “Perhaps surprisingly we are just
club with a healthy membership. GCM spoke to the man who marginally below budget – and our number
keeps this operation running like a well-oiled machine. of rounds is just short of 45 000 for the past
year,” says Jerry, who was born not far from
Jerry Fraser’s official title at Parkview is Johannesburg’s more fashionable areas is Parkview, but was brought up and schooled
‘club director’ – but for all intents and everything a classic parkland course should in Scotland. Indeed, Jerry makes no claim to
purposes he is the manager who makes be. Throw in the members – an enthusiastic being anything other than an average golfer,
this popular club tick. As a suburban golf lot without a hint of snobbishness – and you but was introduced to the game at one of
course it doesn’t come much better – this have a recipe for a healthy, friendly club the world’s great championship layouts –
beautiful, well-maintained layout in one of that is on a many golfers’ list of favourites. none other than Carnoustie. “I had an uncle

Extra SpEcial tiMES, Extra SpEcial ScOtcH

Not for sale to persons under the age of 18

20 March 2010 Golf Club Management


who was a fanatical golfer and was the club
captain of the Caledonian Golfing Society
who introduced me to the game when I was
about 11 years old,” he says. “Learning to
play the game at Carnoustie probably has a
lot to do with me loving a course like Hume-
wood – another of my favourites is Ebotse,”
he admits.
Jerry attended college and studied hotel
management in Scotland, and after return-
ing to South Africa he managed the Ranch
Hotel in what is today Polokwane. “This was
ABOVE: Jerry Fraser (club director), Robert Nengome (catering manager), Masentle Maboe (office manager),
Tracey Delport (bookings), Dolly Richards (reception) and Anne-Marie Davey (accountant).
back in 1972, when the Pietersburg course
was only recently introduced to grass
greens – they were the sand variety before,”
he says. “We had great fun at this club,
where the regular boere versus the English-
men’ tournament was fiercely contested.”
Before taking over the reins at Parkview
14 years ago, Jerry’s experience included
owning restaurants and coffee shops, and he
was also involved with the launch of the now
famous Rovos Rail. He spent three years
with his friend Rowan Vos setting up and
launching what would become the world’s
most luxurious railway, which has now been
in operation for more than 20 years.
Jerry has managed Parkview for some
14 years, during which time the course has
been vastly improved, and the clubhouse
revamped. But Fraser is quick to point out
that it is the membership of the club that
gives it its special character. “We have a to-
tal of 1 500 members – a fair cross-section
of people that are known for being down to
earth,” he says.
The club has had some famous members
over the years, not least of all Bobby Locke,
who joined the club in 1936 after he won
both the SA Amateur and the Open Cham-
pionship here in 1935. Another is one of
our best-known amateurs, Dave Symons, a
Not for sale to persons under the age of 18
national amateur champion who represented
South Africa no less than 15 times and was
Parkview’s club champion 16 times. Tennis
legend Eric Sturgess also played his golf
here, and it is said that the multiple Wimble-
don champion considered Parkview to be his
‘home from home’.
Perhaps one of the secrets of this club’s
success has been its policy of maintaining
realistic prices, and the weekday ‘early-
morning special’ offers a round of golf for
R150, and the regular Wednesday Open
competition can be entered for R150 plus
a competition fee of R50. This represents
excellent value for a course of this quality.
Jerry’s vast experience in the catering and
hospitality industry has resulted in this club
being known for its excellent cuisine, and it
is a popular venue for private functions.
“The team at Parkview is what is key to
the club’s success,” says Jerry. The manage-
ment and staff at this club are renowned
for being friendly and helpful and in every
department a highly professional attitude
prevails. Head professional Ashley Roestoff,
a former successful tour pro, has developed
an excellent reputation as a coach, and
when seen as a complete package, it is
easy to see why Parkview Golf Club is one of
Gauteng’s finest. ■
Golf Club Management March 2010 21
ON COURSE GOLFING SOLUTIONS PROMOTION
Choosing
THE BEST
Serengeti, the upmarket estate that boasts
27 Jack Nicklaus-designed holes, is one
of more than 30 premier golf courses that
are clients of On Course Golfing Solutions.
“There is a good reason for this,” says Ser-
engeti’s CEO Bernard Mostert. “Dealing with
this company is an absolute pleasure – in
fact, in terms of the company’s commitment
to supplying great service, I would rate it as
the best in the industry.”
Director of golf at Serengeti, Ryan Reid,
is just as enthusiastic regarding his experi-
ence of dealing with the company that
supplied his fleet of golf carts with the
cutting-edge GPS systems. “There is no
question that On Course Golfing Solutions’
systems make my job easier, and the
service supplied by the company is truly
excellent,” he says. “I first dealt with the
company when it supplied its GPS systems
to Leopard Creek, and nothing was ever
too much trouble; the systems work well
22 March 2010 Golf Club Management
The latest generation of GPS
golf course management
systems has become a ne-
cessity rather than a luxury
add-on, both for the golfer
and course manager.
and are extremely accurate.”
Common sense suggests that at peak
times, being able to speed up play means
increased rounds and therefore increased
revenue. “There is no question that besides
enhancing the golfing experience by
supplying accurate distances to the flag,
this system does cut times of rounds, and
the ability to track every cart in real time,
knowing exactly where it is and knowing
which are behind and could be holding up
play, is an invaluable tool,” says Reid.
“We now have more than 1 000 screens
in operation throughout the country,”
says Andrew Nelson of On Course Golfing
Solutions. “Our national footprint covers
Gauteng, Western Cape, Southern Cape,
KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State, and
we also supply and service courses in
Mauritius. We have five dedicated service ABOVE: Being able to track each cart in real time,
technicians that are on call 24/7, and we with those that are behind time being highlighted,
is one of the multiple functions of the system.
are very proud of our record – on the rare
 ON COURSE GOLFING SOLUTIONS PROMOTION

ABOVE AND RIGHT: Serengeti’s Ryan Reid points out

the many features of his GPS system, and because
of the reliable performance of On Course Solutions,
he says that he could confidently recommend the
services of the company to any club.

food and beverage usage, pace of play rela-

occasion when a client has experienced a
problem, we have rectified this within 24,
or at the most, 48 hours.”
It is proven that these systems represent
the third-biggest revenue generator on a
course after greenfees and cart-rental in-
come. The time taken for a round has been
shown to be reduced by up to 30 minutes,
the need for marshalling is also reduced,
and advertising and hole sponsorships can
make a substantial contribution to a club’s
revenue stream.
The system can generate a vast array of
management reports – pace of play infor-
mation by cart or by hole can be
calculated, cart usage, round summary,
tive to pin positions, as well as custom-
created reports, and the ability to print
reports direct from the management com-
puter results in more efficient management
of the course. A comprehensive tournament
package is also available, which offers real-
time leaderboards, customised formats and
hole-by-hole results.
There is no doubt that GPS systems
have won over golfers, who effectively have
a professional caddie on hand, with the
added advantage of having photo-quality
graphics of each hole showing sand, water,
bunkers, trees and areas of rough, and
also see where they are in relation to the
cart in front of them. Golfers can also
communicate with the pro shop for emer-
gency assistance or to simply report a lost
club. This two-way communication can be
utilised by the club to promote upcoming
events or to issue storm warnings.
“The viability of our systems
is unquestioned,” says Andrew Nelson.
“We find that the average client increases
their cart rentals by R40, which covers
the cost of the lease, and there has been
no resistance to the increase of R20 per
player, or a little more than R1 per hole. It
has been gratifying to see that a large per-
centage of clubs that have been awarded
Compleat Golfer’s 5-Star Golf Experience
Award use our systems – which speaks
volumes.”
“We can certainly recommend these
systems to everybody,” says Serengeti’s
Ryan Reid. “It does what is required
and more.” ■

For enquires contact:

Gauteng: andrew@oncoursegps.co.za or call 082 901 6184.
Cape/other regions: craig@oncoursegps.co.za or call 083 229 5820

Golf Club Management March 2010 23


Interview with
Rolf BuSch
The PGA’s education and training manager Andrew Gunn speaks to
Rolf Busch, apprentice professional at Bethlehem Golf Club.
Rolf, at 43 you are older than most
apprentices. How did you come to decide
on this profession at this late stage?
I actually came to golf from a tennis back-
ground. I played professional tennis and ran
and coached at an indoor/outdoor tennis
complex in Germany for 13 years. The
interest in tennis in Germany began to fade
and I got involved in bringing tours to South
Africa and there was an emphasis on golf.
Then I came back to South Africa and
Bethlehem (where I was born) in 1999 and
started concentrating on my golf – at that
stage I was an eight handicap. I recognised
that there was a huge demand for profes-
sional golf coaching specifically with junior
golfers in Bethlehem. Juniors are the founda-
tion of a clubs existence because they are
the future golfers. I started a golf academy
parallel to my tennis academy and now I
have 210 juniors in the academy of which
about 70 percent are golfers.
The oldest pupils are 18, but the majority
are between six and nine years old which
means there is a healthy future for golf in
Bethlehem. At the moment we have six
golfers who represent Free State and the
Northern Cape.
We are very fortunate that Bethlehem Golf
Club encourages junior golf and offers a very
affordable starter junior package. When they
have learned the basics, rules and etiquette
(after two to three years) they are encour-
aged to join the club as affiliated members.
What is a typical day in the life of Rolf Busch
My day begins at 07h00 when I fit in three
or four private lessons. Then I coach at Tru-
ida Kestell Primary School in the morning.
After lunch I have groups of juniors for both
tennis and golf until 18h00 and then I have
individual lessons until it gets dark. So it’s
pretty much a 12-hour day.
Talk us through the Frontier Inn and Ca-
sino Apprentice Pro-Am that took place at
Bethlehem Golf Club in November.
Well, each apprentice has to run a pro-am
in their second year as part of their course.
Normally this is done in a group, but since
I am the only one in Bethlehem I decided
to go for it. One of the criteria is to source a
sponsor so I approached Frontier Inn and
Casino, which is involved with the golf club,
and they generously sponsored the prize-
money for the professionals. Then I sold 25
fourballs (each with a PGA apprentice pro).
I particularly remember those Wagyu beef
sosaties on the 7th tee...
Yes, it is the most awesome beef thanks to
Brian and Maria Angus – they are the only
breeders in South Africa. Then I had to
run the day itself – set up the course, local
rules, information sheets, source prizes –
BEloW: Rolf Busch (left), congratulates Titch
Musemburi at a pro-am hosted at his club.
PGA of SA
thanks to Mizuno and Cutter & Buck – do
the scoring and the prizegiving. And it
turned out to be in the middle of that cold
spell – it was the coldest Friday in Novem-
ber in 20 years! I would like to thank all
the PGA guys who travelled from afar and
all the Bethlehem Golf Club members who
played despite the weather.
What would you say was the most important
thing you learned from running the pro-am?
I have run many tournaments previously,
but I was struck by the professionalism
required when representing the PGA brand.
I heard a rumour you are having a
laaitie soon?
Yes, in March.
Excited?
Absolutely! It’s the first one!
Congratulations! But as the education man-
ager I have to express my concern about the
exams which just happen to be in March.
It’s not ideal as sleep will be in short supply
and there is lots of studying to do.
What are your plans for the future?
To expand the academy, not only in Bethle-
hem, but in the eastern Free State, and tak-
ing on another PGA coach to help with the
workload. To assist the golf club in creating
more golfing members and golf rounds.
I know that qualifying as a PGA member
makes you recognised worldwide, but I
have travelled the world and can’t see
myself wanting to leave Bethlehem. I am
settled with my family, enjoy my work
and the lifestyle is ideal for myself and
my family. ■
Golf Club Management March 2010 25
CMASA proMotion

Club MAnAgeMent
Self-ASSeSSMent guide
CMASA has once more undertaken the Manager of the Year selection process. Over
the years CMASA has developed a criteria that is used to evaluate the candidates.
This process is always fantastic for a manager to use as a self-assessment tool.
Tabled below is the first in a series of as ‘good’, ‘average’ or ‘poor’. This tool, when successful club. (Look out for the next issue
guides for management to use. For ease of utilised with management’s own KPAs is a of GCM for the next in the series of guides
self-assessment, each task can be graded good indicator of the skills needed to run a for management self-assessment.)

CoMpetenCy AreA tASkS

Assumes responsibility and
accountability for the
financial affairs of the club
Legislative and regulatory
framework
Strategic planning
Organisational effectiveness
■ Ensures accurate controls and reporting of financial information in line with generally accepted
accounting practices and statutory requirements.
■ Develops, manages and approves the club’s annual expense and capital budgets for submission to the
committee/board for final approval.
■ Monitors and reports on financial and budgetary status and directs the taking of action as appropriate.
■ Manages the required actions to reduce operating expenditure to the lowest effective level, through
continuous improvement initiatives.
■ Manages all necessary controls for purchases, cash handling, payments and departmental expenses.
■ Assumes responsibility for assets of the Club and ensures optimum asset utilisation, making provision for
depreciation and replacement as required
■ Manages and oversees business and software systems in use and ensures these meet all functional
requirements for operational efficiency.
■ Ensures current knowledge of corporate governance legislation and compliance with statutory requirements.
■ Conducts the affairs of the club and ensures accurate control and reporting within the framework of the law.
■ Develops, maintains and ensures compliance with business systems, policies and procedures.
■ Ensures current knowledge of existing external legislation that may have an effect on the operations of the club.
■ In conjunction with the committee/board, identifies and develops strategic plans for business development.
■ Attends all meetings in this regard.
■ Where not 100-percent sure how to respond to a particular issue raised in a meeting, undertakes to revert
with an answer within a specified time-frame.
■ Proposes and seeks agreement for the implementation of both short- and long-term strategic plans
through time-based goals and work plans.
■ Regularly monitors and reviews progress of work plans against agreed strategic goals and takes
appropriate actions to ensure achievements as per agreed standards and timetables.
■ Has an understanding of Basic Conditions of Employment Act.
■ Actively participates in the meetings of the health and safety committee.

Postal address: Suite 374 Private bag X09 Weltevredenpark 1715

26 March 2010 Golf Club Management

 CMASA proMotion

CoMpetenCY AreA tASkS (continued

■ Recruits, trains and develops immediate subordinates/staff and provides leadership and guidance to
functional department heads.
■ Facilitates interpersonal and inter-departmental communication via the management structure and
ensures that all employees are familiar with the club’s vision, mission and goals, and that work plans are
aligned with these goals.
■ Develops and manages an employee salary/wage and benefit plan which is market-related and motivates
employees towards personal satisfaction and optimum contribution.
■ Approves department/sectional plans, budgets, staffing and general operating procedures for the facility
and ensures that the management of staff, controls and reporting is within legal labour law parameters.
■ Communicates and negotiates with labour unions where necessary, including annual wage negotiations,
conditions of employment, disputes and disciplinary enquiries; oversees all aspects of IR.
■ Develops and manages a performance-based assessment process for staff, ensuring regular and objective
feedback on performance against agreed goals and work plans.
■ Always meets deadlines for completion and submission, as far as under own control.
■ Develops a culture of performance excellence and continuous improvement.
■ Trains and develops self and employees, with career development and advancement plans for senior staff.
To be continued next month...

CMASA Club MAnAger of The outstanding abilities and knowledge
the YeAr: DAnie Appel displayed by all seven nominees was testa-
On 18 February ment to the individuals nominated. These
2010, CMASA abilities and knowledge augur well for the
announced the future of club management in South Africa.
winner of the Unfortunately, not everyone can win and
CMASA Manager to those who participated in the process,
of the Year. CMASA would like to congratulate them and
An inde- thank them for being part of the process.
pendent panel, This year the honour goes to Danie Appel,
comprising: Paul general manager of Kelvin Grove Club in Cape
Leishman, chair- Town. CMASA congratulations Danie on this
man of CMASA; outstanding achievement and wish him well in
Ian Leach, ex his future years at Kelvin Grove Club.
CMASA com- Kelvin Grove Club, one of the largest
mittee member; membership clubs in the country, has a
Doug Bain, CEO large food and beverage operation, croquet,
of Randpark fitness centre, cricket, rugby, squash,
Club, and previ- tennis, bowls and bridge. Under Danie’s
ous winner; Tony Beart, ex Country Club management, the club has maintained its
Johannesburg general manager and ACOSA history, heritage, tradition and excellence,
chairman, Peter Anthony, club manage- as well as managing to embrace the excite-
ment lecturer and psychologist, interviewed ment, variety, energy and action required by
seven nominees based on a set of club a new generation.
management competencies developed over Over the last eight years the club’s mem-
a period of time by CMASA. bership profile has changed dramatically
from fewer than three percent of club mem-
bers being under the age of 30 to the current
percentage of 15 percent. This change has
proved to be greatly beneficial to the ongoing
wellbeing of the club.
In nominating Danie for the award,
Kelvin’s chairman Paul Kramer had this to
say about Danie’s management style: “The
single biggest ingredient for success has
been Mr Appel’s management style – both
of his team as well as of the board of Kelvin.
His style is inclusive and collaborative and
he does not shy away from taking tough
decisions that any leader has to take from
time to time. He recognises and acknowl-
edges the contributions of others and, in so
doing, raises the energy levels of all as well
as focusing his team on delivering the key
important services…”
Danie has been general manager of
Kelvin Grove Club for the past nine years.
He holds a B.Comm degree and MBA from
Stellenbosch University. Danie is a keen
sportsman, having completed two Com-
rades and five Two Oceans Marathons. He
enjoys golf, tennis and cricket. ■

Tel: +27 (0)11 482 7542 Fax: 088 (0)11 482 7542 Cell: 082 457 8235 E-mail: gm@clubmanagement.co.za

Golf Club Management March 2010 27

retail
Golf retail
101
Kymi Bodenberger, in the first
article of a 12-month series,
shows how you can make the
most of your pro shop.
So you decided to become a golf profes-
sional! You love the game, you play it well,
what could be a better career choice? And
then one day you were given a golf shop
and told to make a success out of it. But
did anyone ever tell you exactly how to
make a success out of it?
Over the next 12 issues of GCM, I plan
to assist you with that. I’ve been working
in the golf retail industry for over 10 years
and began this career path by oversee-
ing the golf shops at Blackwolf Run and
Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin, USA.
During my five years there, my shops were
selected as Top 100 Golf Shops three times
and, in 2005, I was chosen by GolfWeek
magazine (USA) as one of the Top 25 Golf
Retail Merchandisers out of 16 000 courses
country-wide. In May 2005, I was employed
by Global Golf in South Africa and I relo-
cated with the exciting challenge of building
the retail sales of over 100 accounts around
the country. I continue to work for Global
Golf part-time, following the start of my own
consulting company, Retail Savvy.
My time in retail and merchandising has
clearly shown that every shop is different.
The layout, the fixturing, the product selec-
tion, the location, the customer profile and
so on and so forth. It is therefore important
to understand the concepts and logic
28 March 2010 Golf Club Management
behind merchandising and apply it sensibly
to your specific circumstances.
There are certain basic elements in retail
that have proven to be sales-enhancing. The
first step is having the correct shop layout.
According to the book Principles of Retailing
(2003), studies have consistently shown that
up to two-thirds of purchase decisions are
taken within the retail outlet. What does this
mean for you? If two-thirds of the purchases
made in a shop are impulsive buys that were
not pre-planned, your goal as a shop man-
ager is to expose your customers to as much
product as you can! Therefore, step number
one is to have your golf desk as far away from
your entrance as possible. This allows you to
expose your customers to more products as
they walk the length of the store through all
your selections, creating a greater potential
for impulse purchases.
Now that we have the golf desk and the
door at an acceptable distance, I often find
that the floor fixtures will be pushed off to the
sides in order to create a open walkway for
the customers. This leads us to step number
two: we don’t want nice, open walkways.
Please note, I’m not directing shops to clutter
the entire path or create a maze, but we
need to expose our customers to potential
impulse buys. In retail lingo, we actually
refer to creating a ‘speed bump’ in a shop
Killarney Golf Club
entrance. A well-placed nesting table or floor
display will cause customers to slow down
and look at the products before proceeding
to the counter. I personally prefer nesting
tables because they allow you to create an
eye-catching display that advertises the
variety of products you offer throughout your
store. For example: men’s golf shirts with
coordinating sweaters or jackets, pants and
shorts, a pair of golf shoes on display, match-
ing caps and accessories, and a few putters
leaning against the table. Ideally you want an
easy walk between the entrance and desk,
but with a little meandering as your product
catches the customer’s attention.
Step three is categorisation. Think of your
shop as a miniature department store. This
will help both your customers in searching
for a particular item and you in selling that
item. Take shoes for example. If I’m looking
to purchase a pair of golf shoes, I don’t want
to walk all around your store to try to search
for your various shoe styles. If you have all of
your shoes in one location, the customer feels
they have a wide variety of options to choose
from, which supports their decision to buy
because they can narrow down the selection
to the style that suits them best.
Think about it: if you go out to purchase
sunglasses, you don’t stop at the store
display that offers you three or four options,

Pearl Valley nesting table
you go to a shop where you can select from
a wide range to find the pair that suits you
best. This is part of the psychology behind
sales. As consumers, we want to feel that
we have made the best purchase choice for
ourselves. We do this by eliminating the op-
tions that are less appropriate for our needs,
resulting in satisfaction in our final choice.
The fourth and final step for this article
deals with having the correct items in the
correct locations in the store. Have you
noticed that any time you shop at one of the
better-known grocery chain-stores, at the end
you must walk through the displays of choco-
lates, candies and magazines in order to get
to the cashiers? This shows the importance
of the impulse-buy concept. If these items
were in one of the grocery isles, you might
have enough self-control to skip that isle. But
now as you’re queuing for a cashier you flip
through a magazine or start drooling over
ACUSHNET SOUTH AFRICA (PTY) LTD
Serengeti shop layout
those chocolate raisins and shortly thereafter
they’ve been added to your cart.
In your golf shop, the area between your
entrance and your golf desk is referred to
as ‘primary space’ as this is the part of the
shop in which every entering customer will
pass through. It is crucial that this area is
used for impulse-type products so that you
can trigger more of those two-thirds un-
planned purchase decisions. Your ‘second-
ary space’ is everywhere else in the store.
In secondary locations, you want products
that will pull the customer who may already
have an interest in that product over to the
desired section.
Items such as hard goods, shoes,
outerwear, rain gear, sunglasses, belts and
socks are all ‘pull’ type items that need to
be clearly displayed, but not necessarily in
your primary space allocation. I generally
place men’s clothing, caps and impulsive
TEL: 011 462 9165
RETAIL
accessories in the primary space. Women’s
clothing is usually in secondary space loca-
tions because women are more likely to look
for their clothing sections than men are. Of
course, the golf desk will have a number of
impulse items, but for the primary space
we’re referring to larger items beyond
pencils, gloves and sleeves of balls.
So, a successfully designed golf shop
will have the golf desk as far as logically
possible from the entrance, a nesting table
in front advertising your range of wares,
impulse items staggered within the primary
allocated space and pull items (also re-
ferred to as non-impulsive) arranged in the
secondary allocated space of your shop, all
while displaying clearly defined categories
of goods. And those, my dear friends and
colleagues, are the first important steps in
creating a store that will maximise
your returns. ■
Golf Club Management March 2010 29
the last word
Is the
gaMe of golf
broken?
Wayne Krambeck believes that in order to grow the
game of golf, clubs and estates must reduce costs by
cutting out some of those little ‘extras’.
South Africa is home to an unbelievable
collection of golf courses, comparable to the
best in the world, yet sadly the number of
golfers is not growing at the same rate that
courses in our country are being constructed.
Historically the game in South Africa was en-
joyed by a large portion of the ‘working’ class;
it was an affordable luxury. However, statistics
show a very low growth in the number of
registered golfers. A salary of R20 000 per
month is unlikely to get you a membership
at a club or even enable you to play golf as a
result of high fees. The luxury is now beyond
the grasp of the average person.
As a member of the PGA of SA for more
than 19 years, I’ve been fortunate enough
to have worked with some of the finest golf
developments, both in SA and abroad, so
it pains me to see the lack of growth in the
game, which begs the question, “Why has
the game stagnated in the past few decades
compared to golf course construction?”
It was this analysis that prompted me to
consider how I could give something back
to the game. There is clearly a connection
between the lack of new golfers and the
cost of playing the game.
Universal Golf Management Service is a
consultancy company I started. One of our
main facilities is to offer assistance to devel-
opers from the initial conceptual design of
the project through to the first round of golf
and thereafter ensure it is managed in ac-
cordance with the business plan. Generally
the cost of golf operations is substantially
30 March 2010 Golf Club Management
more than anticipated due to a lack of
knowledge. The result, prices are inflated
and promises are not always met. With the
correct planning from the outset and advice
on how to achieve the best results in the
operations, the course will be able to “wash
its own face” much quicker.
Golf courses are no longer just created
and built, they are ‘designed’. Great courses
will attract golfers from far and wide, so
using professional designers with a good
reputation is vital. Golf estate developments
generate fierce competition as each one
attempts to include something different or
special to entice the investor (bigger and
better clubhouses including gymnasiums,
spa, restaurant facilities, cigar bars, indoor
heated pools, etc). All these ‘extras’ come at
a price and as such hefty membership and
greenfees to cover these ‘extras’. Courses
are now focused on being highly rated, both
locally and internationally, which in turn will
impact on the cost of a round of golf. There
is tremendous pressure on the mainte-
nance of golf courses to ensure a pristine
course through the rough. Even the rough is
expected to be maintained at a certain level
that will ensure you can play your shots with
ease as opposed to being punished for a
poor shot. What does the golfer really want?
What is actually important to the golfer?
The answer is quite simple: level and well
covered tee-boxes, well-maintained bunkers
and covered fairways, greens that are true
and run at a decent speed of around nine
on the stimp meter, a decent halfway house,
good bar facilities at affordable prices,
respectable shower facilities and a comfort-
able pro shop. The 5-Star awards that are
bestowed on these great courses add value
and enable the course to position itself
above its competitors, but at the same time
the awards add tremendous expense to the
club as it strives to improve on its already
great service by including such luxuries as
club-cleaning and car-wash services, iced
towels, complimentary drinks on carts, etc.
These are not charitable extras so the golfer
ends up paying more. In my opinion, our
focus needs to be on what is important to
the golfer. Don’t get me wrong, it is still vital
for developers to offer other lifestyle facili-
ties on golf estates, however, from a cost
perspective these must run separately and
be self-funding. At the end of the day golf is
a numbers game: the more golfers you have
going though the course the more finan-
cially viable it will be. It’s that simple.
Universal Golf Management Services can
offer developers invaluable experience and
insight into planning their development
correctly from the outset and assist in literally
saving developers millions of rand through
correct planning and ongoing management
of the operations. So let’s attempt to reverse
the current trend, let’s increase the number
of golfers to the game by keeping focus on
what is really important to the golfer! ■
E-mail Wayne Krambeck wayne@ugms.
co.za for further information.