PRESIDENTS REPORT                  2009.

The past year has again been a demanding year for the Club having endured significant challenges that have tested our resilience on a number of fronts, but prudent management of these issues has preserved the Clubs’ position which is a great improvement on the previous year despite the fact the reporting of a loss. This outcome was achieved with some difficulty and the Board will be taking further steps to ensure the Club trades well, provides a suitable venue and enjoyment for its Members.

The challenging environment is expected to continue over the next 12 months and the Board continues to advance additional initiatives to improve The Clubs’ balance sheet and cash flow position. 

These include:  

Continuing to pursue savings of wages without compromising the Clubs business activities

Execution of strategic review outcomes and recommendations once identified. 

Maintaining our market position and to strengthen the balance sheet and help minimize the impact of market forces. 

 The option of raising new equity if required, as part of a wider capital strategy.

Maintaining and improving our course is no easy task, particularly in view of our financial restraints. Nathan Ball, our Course Superintendent, and his staff have done a great job presenting our Course in a very acceptable state.   Many improvements have been made and are being noticed by Members alike.  They are continually called upon to operate in adverse conditions and their efforts cannot be faulted for which the Members are extremely grateful. 

During the previous year some of the older machinery was replaced and this has placed the Club in a better position with its finances due to better work practices and very little breakdowns meaning cost savings in repairs and maintenance on our plant.

The Clubhouse, although almost fifty years old, has been maintained in an presentable condition with several improvements being carried out which the Members would be aware of when utilising the premises. 

Again our sponsors have continued to support the Club and we thank them all for their support throughout the year especially for the annual Pro-Am which was again a very successful event in the Clubs calendar.  The success and achievements of the Springwood Country Club were only possible because of the generosity of the Club’s sponsors and the commitment of the staff, volunteers and contracted service providers and the Board. 

The net result for 2008/09 was a loss of $15,940, this compared to a loss of $60,990 in 2007/08.

There was an increase of 1% in total income, made up of increases in operation income (3%) and bar income (7%) partly offset by a decrease in gaming income (9%). Cost of sales increased by 7% leaving gross profit in line with last year. 

 Our four main sources of income showed differing results for the year :-

     Poker Machine Income        2007  $313,476

                                               2008  $327,236

                                               2009  $274,564

Despite being a disappointing result, the Board has undertaken steps to improve this area of our business and we look forward to improvements for the ensuing year.

     Bar Profit                           2007  $106,154

                                              2008    $84,470

                                              2009  $115,251

Bar Trading in particular showed better returns by implementing better practices and this has been encouraging.

     Subscriptions                     2007  $239,000

                                              2008  $272,000

                                              2009  $293,402

The result of Members subscriptions is very reassuring to the Board, knowing that members are very happy with the results being achieved, especially on the course.

     Green Fee Income             2007  $176,000

                                             2008  $172,228

                                             2009  $172,662

Visitor income has remained steady over the past few years and with the various course improvements over the past couple of years we are hopeful of maintaining or even increasing our market share. 

Total expenses for the year were down 3% on last year with substantial savings on employment (2%) and repairs and maintenance (21%) expenses. Unfortunately, there were big increases in non-discretionary charges including electricity (10%), water rates (60%), land rates (39%) and rubbish removal (53%). Depreciation and amortisation expense increased by $10,000 due to increases in capital expenditure.

Our cash position decreased by $29,200 over the previous year, mainly due to expenditure on capital equipment. Going forward it will be necessary to monitor this position and make sure that any future expenditure is in line with our trading surplus. 

The Club was again fortunate to have so many Members who unselfishly gave their time, energy and enthusiasm and their efforts and commitment are acknowledged.

There are some Members who are unaware of the contributions these generous people give to the Club and we would be poorer without their continuing support.

On behalf of all Club members we extend its thanks and appreciation to all of those people without whom the Club could not function. 

To those who have lost love ones and dear friends throughout the year, the  Club extends its sincere sympathies.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all Directors of the Board for their assistance and diligence during the year.

R.L. Blakemore

President

Captain’s Report 2008/2009

Another year at Springwood Country Club rolls by and it still continues to retain the title of the ‘First and Friendliest’ Club in the Mountains.  However, I am of the opinion that it can now add the title of being equal to the best Course in the Mountains as well.  As a result of the untiring efforts of our Greenkeeper Superintendent Nathan Ball, together with staff David, Tony and Scott and Gavin, who, with the untiring efforts of the new thinking Course Committee team, ably led by Mark Hogan, have performed wonders with the course and greens and surroundsl. Also, never forgetting our volunteers, who have again performed such special tasks in beautifying garden beds, erecting stone walls, weeding and many other tasks. Bearing in mind that the lateral thinking group of Board Members steered by an astute President, Bob Blakemore, have endorsed the expenditure of Members’ funds for these course improvements when needed, whilst keeping a close eye on the purse strings. All in all a great team effort all round.  Take a bow gentlemen you should be more than pleased with your untiring efforts.

I was very fortunate to have a Match Committee who displayed so much experience in its ranks and I am grateful for their support..  To my Vice Captain, Tony Busch, for his thoroughness in organising and help with major competitions including assisting the evergreen Dave Garland, who never ceases to amaze with his efficiency at the scoreboard etc.  Gordon Lynch for providing time sheets for various competitions.  Bruce Gibson for his expedient logging of score cards to Golf Link to ensure members are up to date with their current handicaps, Joe Moore, Phil French, Ted Hobson and last but not least our Lady Captain, Fran Blakemore.  I sincerely thank you all for your attendance at meetings and whenever required, as well as your sound advice and assistance.

Special thanks to Mal Geldard for his kind efforts looking after the Pennant sides with the BBQ when required, all players were most grateful.

The Championship results for 2008/2009 are as follows:

Club Champion                                                  Evan Brawn

Runner Up                                                         John Glasheen

‘B’ Grade Champion                                           Kelvin Thoms

‘C’ Grade Champion                                           Andrew Hunt

Junior Champion                                                James Edge

Veteran Champion                                             Gordon Lynch

Men’s Foursomes Champions                             Evan Brawn/Alex Edge

‘B Grade Men’s Foursomes                                Peter Tennant/Simon McDonald

Mixed Foursomes Champions                             Brett Jackson/Carol Jackson

‘A’ Grade Matchplay Champion                           James Edge

‘B’ Grade Matchplay Champion                           George McGovern

‘C’ Grade Matchplay Champion                           Stuart Gibson

Gold Medal                                                        Josh Devrell

Lawrie Graham Memorial Shield                          Tony Busch 

Our Pennant Teams once again performed quite well in the Blue Mountains District Association and the Sydney Masters Competition.  The Masters team going down to Wentworth Falls in a play off.  The Seniors, although decimated by the withdrawal of several key players, acquitted themselves admirably, as did the ‘A’ Reserve Team.  However, the two Kortum Shield teams from Springwood fought out the final at Springwood.  With the team led by Lyle Berry and comprising Cameron Blakemore, John Manning, Norm Martin, Ben Hurst, Tony Rock, Geoff McGovern, Darren Moalem, being victorious. 

The Super Seniors were defeated narrowly by Castle Hill by the narrowest of margins.  Thanks to Tony Busch, BMDGA/Super Senior Pennants organiser and Bob Blakemore, Sydney Masters Pennant division organiser.

Thank you to all the players in all teams and on behalf of the members, thanks for your time and effort.

One must not forget the many Sponsors, who support the Club throughout the year.  We are indebted and grateful to them, as it is through their generous backing that our Club continues to prosper successfully.

At the forefront, it is Charles Tarbey of Century 21 Real Estate, our Major Sponsor, we thank for his generous support, particularly our annual Pro Am year after year.  To our hole Sponsors and Nearest the Pins, your generosity is much appreciated by both the Club and members.

Thanks to Joe Moore and his staff who are always ready to assist the players and conducting the   popular School Holiday Clinics that many school children attend and enjoy.

To our diligent Secretary Manager, Gary Considine, Office Staff, Christine Curtis and Maureen Thompson, thank you for all your help and assistance during the year, to the Bar and house staff thank you for your efforts.

In conclusion, I would personally like to thank the Board Members, especially Bob Blakemore for his encouragement and support when I needed it.  Not forgetting the members of the Club who I always found to be friendly, tolerant and understanding.  I have found it to be a very interesting year with many situations arising that needed attention.  I hope I have been of assistance to the Club and the Members during the performance of my duties as Captain as I gave it the best of my limited experience and one can do no more than that.  Thank you all for the opportunity to carry out this role.

Alan Stanton

Club Captain

Squash Club Report 2009

It has been another successful year for the Squash Club. The in-house Tuesday night social comp is going from strength to strength, and the standard has never been better. Our financial contribution to the Country Club is ever-increasing, with membership fees, court hire and bar receipts totalling around $15,000 per annum! As well, the Squash Club paid for renovations to the courts: re-sanding the floors, re-painting the walls, re-marking the court lines, and installing new electrical circuitry and strip heaters for those colder winter nights. The enthusiasm of our members is fantastic, with more works planned for this year, and it makes the Club a great place to be.

On Monday afternoons, Greg Barton has been running a juniors program from 4 till 5.30pm. Thanks for helping to develop the game, Greg. Already two of those players are playing and subbing in the Tuesday Night comp, and their youth is forcing the older players to find new tricks to remain competitive. Club Champions for 2008 were: Matt White (A-grade), Tim Toohey (B-grade), Clive Swatton (C-grade) and Lindsay Ashby (D-grade). A place on the Honour Board is the distinction most keenly sought by members of the Club.

Our Friday night and Sunday night practice sessions are dragging players (and thus new members) from far afield. In other areas, thanks are due to Nick Bowman (Treasurer), Saskia Hayes (for publicising pennant results in The Gazette), Lindsay Ashby and Magda Cawthorne (Providores).

In the Spring 2008 Pennants, we had three teams, and in Autumn 2009 (just concluded), we had two teams representing the Club, with the Division 6 Team taking the title in a thrilling encounter at Northmead. Congratulations to the team of Barry Beauvais, Dean Richards, Terry McDonald, Clive Swatton and Rob Burke. Next comp we will be doing battle with three teams again. Our thanks to the Country Club for providing us with the courts and assisting by keeping the courts and change rooms clean. The other teams find that their trip to Springwood is more than compensated for by our hospitality and friendly social nature. A few times the visitors have brought their golf clubs and we've played a round of golf with them in the afternoon before dining at the Club and hitting the courts that night! We try to live up to the Country Club's motto 'First and Friendliest Club in the Mountains'.


Tim Toohey
Squash Club Captain