Introducing "Lifestyle" Membership Category

INTRODUCING "LIFESTYLE" MEMBERSHIP CATEGORY

Background

Last year the committee took a significant review of membership categories. The aim has been to simplify membership categories, whilst providing attractive membership options. There was support for the introduction of a “lifestyle” category of membership. 

This category is designed to accommodate golfers who are not able to play as frequently as others for various reasons. A points based system is used where a set number of points allocated with subscriptions are used whenever playing. This form of membership has been adopted in a number of clubs.

Lifestyle membership allows play in social and competition golf both 9 and 18 hole formats.

Included below are some details of the proposed Lifestyle membership. The introduction of Lifestyle membership will see 9 hole membership permanently closed to new members. Existing 9 hole members can remain in that category for at least the next 12 months but our hope is that the Lifestyle category will offer incentives and opportunities for more flexible play and that most 9 hole members would wish to move to the Lifestyle membership category.

We believe that Lifestyle membership will provide 

1. An entry point for new members without having to commit to full membership
2. A category for members who are restricted by time, financial or health constraints to maintain full membership
3. Gap filling in the booking sheets by opening to a wider audience
4. A means to replace other categories of casual membership e.g summer membership

How will Lifestyle work?

In summary, Lifestyle membership will be a "Restricted" category of membership (as is 9 Hole), and requires only changes to by-laws to be instituted. All details will be published in the club by-laws.

Pricing will be the same as 9 hole category which is currently nomination $1750 and annual subscription $1944. Fees for the next year have not yet been set.

Members will have access to 9 and 18 hole golf both social and competition. They will be able to participate in and win regular and mixed competitions. For honour board events participation will be at the discretion of the match committee.

Initially we propose allocation 120 points and point usage will be as follows:

This allows around 60*9 hole games a year, or 30*18 hole rounds, with more points used in busy periods. Remember this Category is intended to be for those that are expecting to play less golf. If you want to play more golf, you should join one of the Full Member Categories.  

Points will be deducted automatically at the time of booking, and any remaining points at year end will be forfeited. Any members found on the course without a booking will risk censure or have their membership revoked. 

For those that are on the cusp between lifestyle and a full membership, you will be able to purchase top up points to allow you to play a bit more often than the 120-point balance allows. We expect top up points to be in the region of $400/20 points. If you need more than one top up package a year, it will be cheaper to consider one of the full member options. Top up points will have an expiry of 4 months from purchase and can be carried into the new financial year if that expiry is after the 30th September.  

With respect to booking rights, we believe full members should have priority on the booking sheets and only where there are gaps in the field should there be availability to other categories. Accordingly booking rights will be 4 days prior. 

Overall, Category booking rights will be 

• 9 days prior = Full, 6-day, Life & Vets (also 33yr & older Young Adult) 
• 8 days prior = Midweek, Intermediate, Young adult 
• 4 days prior = Juniors, Lifestyle and 9 Hole

 Other conditions for Lifestyle will be the same as other “restricted” categories, namely 

1. Ineligible to Vote 
2. Ineligible to hold Board Positions 
3. Eligible to sit on club sub-committees 
4. Gender neutral 

We will be introducing this Category for the new Membership year beginning 1 October 2025 and will publish a full Category description over the next few weeks. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Ben, our General Manager. 

Tony Morgan 

Vice President