Erinvale Country Estate Survey Feedback December 2015
An independent survey was conducted among homeowners and golf club members of Erinvale Country Estate in December 2015. The survey aimed to address the challenges the estate is facing, including an aging profile of residents and the need to attract new members. Research objectives focused on determining the needs of current residents and potential homebuyers, as well as improving marketing strategies and enhancing the estate's family-friendly appeal. Methodology involved online and paper questionnaires, with high response rates from both homeowner and non-resident golf club member groups.
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1 ERINVALE COUNTRY ESTATE Feedback on a survey done amongst Homeowners and Golf club members of Erinvale December 2015
Background In order to ensure the long term sustainability of the Estate, the Erinvale Golf Estate Advisory Board was mandated by the Golf Club and the Homeowners Association to formulate a vision and recommend a strategy for the Estate going forward. The estate is currently facing a few challenges , among others ... An aging profile of homeowners & golf club members; A sizeable proportion of homeowners are not golf club members, therefore not contributing directly to the maintenance and upkeep of the golf course. To determine the formulation of a vision as well as to provide input into a strategy for the Estate for the future, the Advisory Board decided to conduct an independent survey amongst homeowners (of whom many are also golf club members) as well as non-resident golf club members. 2
Research Objectives The overall objective of the research was to determine homeowners as well as golf club members needs in terms of Estate facilities. Through addressing the needs of current homeowners and golf club members the Estate will ensure that it also offers potential homeowners the facilities they are looking for when buying a property in a secure Estate such as Erinvale. In addition, the Advisory Board also seeks to gain a better understanding of the demographics of current homeowners and non-resident golf club members. Based on the survey s results, the Advisory Board will make recommendations regarding the following: How to market Erinvale to the general public which will assist in increasing the desirability of the Estate and therefore increase the value of properties; How to attract younger families to the Estate and how to make the Estate family- friendly, especially the Golf Club area; How to attract new golf club members, and How to best meet the needs of current Erinvale homeowners and golf club members. 3
Research Methodology and Target audiences An online study was conducted amongst Homeowners as well as non-resident Golf club members. Provision was however made for homeowners who preferred to complete a paper version of the questionnaire. Each target group received a customised questionnaire which consisted of a number of closed questions (i.e. questions where answers were pre-defined) as well as open-ended questions (i.e. questions where respondents could express and voice their opinions freely). Questionnaires were sent out on Monday 26 October 2015 by the Homeowners Association and Golf club respectively. Homeowners and Non-resident Golf club members had 3 weeks to respond and were reminded to do so twice during the course of the 3 weeks. 296 Homeowners (219 online & 77 paper-based) and 116 Non-resident Golf club members (all online) took part in the survey. This translates to a response rate of 72% amongst Homeowners and 58% amongst Non- resident Golf club members. 4
Notes on presentation of results Results are provided separately for Homeowners and Non-resident Golf club members; Results for each group are provided in Total as well as per age category. However, please note that the age categories for Non-resident Golf club members differ from the age categories for Homeowners because of small sample sizes. In cases where percentages do not add up to 100, it is because more than one answer was given. 5
Survey Feedback: Homeowner Survey Feedback: Homeowner - - Golfers Golfers 6
Sample overview HOMEOWNERS: GOLF CLUB MEMBERSHIP HOMEOWNERS: GOLF CLUB MEMBERSHIP 17% 23% 60% Active (playing) member of the golf club Social (non-playing) member of the golf club Not a member of the golf club Majority of homeowners are golf club members: 60% are active (playing) members with a further 23% who are social members. 7
Sample overview HOMEOWNERS: GOLF CLUB MEMBERSHIP per AGE CATEGORY HOMEOWNERS: GOLF CLUB MEMBERSHIP per AGE CATEGORY 70 70+ + yrs Total Total <50 yrs <50 yrs 51 to 60 yrs 51 to 60 yrs 61 to 70 yrs 61 to 70 yrs yrs % % % % % Active member of golf club 60 40 48 72 61 Social member of golf club 23 34 22 18 26 Not a member of the golf club 17 26 30 10 13 The incidence of being an active (playing) member of the golf club is significantly higher amongst homeowners older than 60 years, whereas the incidence of not being a member of the golf club is significantly higher amongst those younger than 60 years. 8
Sample overview HOMEOWNERS: INCIDENCE OF HAVING CHILDREN HOMEOWNERS: INCIDENCE OF HAVING CHILDREN 100% 2 12 22 80% 41 74 60% 83 72 61 40% 44 5 20% 21 17 16 15 15 0% Total <50 yrs 51 to 60 yrs 61 to 70 yrs 70+ yrs Do not have children Children are grown-up Still have children in home Although majority of homeowners have children, the biggest proportion overall indicated that their children are grown-up. There is however a direct relationship between age and children at home, i.e. the younger homeowners are, the more likely it is that they still have children at home. 9
Sample overview CHILDREN PER GROUP CHILDREN PER GROUP Base: Base: Children in home Total Total Number of children Number of children % Baby/Infant (<1 yr) 7 1 in 4 households = 4 Toddler (1-3 yr) 13 1 in 8 households = 8 Pre-school (4-5 yr) 5 1 in 3 households = 3 Junior primary (6-8 yr) 15 1 in 8 households and 2 in 1 household = 10 Senior primary (9-12 yr) 18 1 in 8 households and 2 in 2 households = 12 Teenagers (13-19 yr) 37 1 in 12 households, 2 in 8 households and 3 in 2 households = 34 Young adults (20+ yr) 35 1 in 12 households, 2 in 7 households and 3 in 2 households = 32 Due to the age profile of homeowners, children generally fall into the older age brackets, i.e. Teenagers or Young adults. 10
Playing golf at Playing golf at Erinvale Erinvale 11
Without doubt, the golf course (quality, beauty, condition, challenging) is a major positive about playing golf at Erinvale; the experience is further improved by the beautiful environment/views. The golf course: Top quality / 5 Star golf course / Prime course / Beautiful course / Championship course (51%) Course is in superb condition / Well maintained course / Immaculate condition (26%); Challenging course / Layout of course / Well designed course / Interesting (10%); Beautiful scenery / Awesome views / Fantastic setting / Incredible scenery (26%); Location on doorstep / Convenient / Just in front of home / Close proximity (11%); Friendly members / Company of people / Nice people (10%); Friendly, helpful and efficient staff (7%); Golf friends I have made / Good friends / Friendship of members (3%); Good facilities / Comfortable, excellent clubhouse (3%); Good social club / Happy parties, though responsible / Social life in/around clubhouse (3%); Good management / Well run (2%); What is the best/most enjoyable best/most enjoyable thing about playing golf at Erinvale? 12
Obtaining tee-times (especially during peak season) as well as the condition of some of the bunkers impact negatively on playing golf at Erinvale. Regular non-availability of tee-times, especially during peak season (15%); Tee-times issues in peak season / Difficulties in getting members T-times / Restricted available golf times during the summer / Lack of tee-off times during the prime season / In season almost impossible to get tee-times because of corporate days, tourists, etc. / Trying to arrange tee-times, although in fairness this had improved last year. The condition of some of the bunkers (8%); The course generally this year is the best we have seen it but the bunkers (very badly designed) still let the course down / The inconsistency of the bunkers. The sand in the bunkers is not consistent in type and even within a single bunker the depth of sand can vary between none and very deep. Why does it seem impossible to have a consistent depth of sand within a single bunker? Surely it is not too difficult, with the aid of a dip stick, to check after raking, that the sand is of an equal depth throughout the playing area of the bunker / Bunkers: very inconsistent condition and sand quality. And what is the worst/least enjoyable worst/least enjoyable thing about playing golf at Erinvale? 14
Other aspects that dampen Golf club members golf playing experience include the following: Sometimes the club is completely taken over by corporate golf days (6%); Corporate days further restrict access to the golf course / A perception that sometimes the club s priorities are not its members, e.g. corporate events in high season / Playing second fiddle to corporate days, particularly this year. The Club has lost it's " clubbiness" and become more of a cliquey commercial organisation / Too many corporate days / Sometimes the club is completely taken over by corporate golf days and then we as members almost become second class members. Even when we don't play golf we would like to use the clubhouse for breakfast, lunch or dinner, but then it appears over run by non-members who seem to have a different set of standards. Booking system (5%); Unable to obtain booking in season / Booking for members: terrible service 7 days in advance / Very difficult to book a 4-ball with visitors on a Saturday / Occasional hiccups with booking. The ducks / The Egyptian geese dirt on the greens / The ducks fouling the greens (5%); Slow players / People taking far too long to complete their round (4%); Too busy in summer / Very busy from November to February / Over crowding in summer (4%); And what is the worst/least enjoyable worst/least enjoyable thing about playing golf at Erinvale? 15
Other aspects that dampen Golf club members golf playing experience include the following ... cont... The weather (rain and windy days) (3%); Membership fees (3%); Bad food / Average food in the clubhouse (3%); There are too many workers disturbing your round of golf. The workers must be better educated. They stand around the green, laugh loud and talk whilst people are putting. They do not wait at the tee boxes when players just want to hit. They do not take care of the golfers when mowing the fairways. They approach 2 m to the players back when he is just going to play. They do not make the green free when players go for the pin. / Too many mowers/vehicles/workers on course greatly disturb play (2%); The clubhouse downstairs look old fashioned and dark. Not light and modern (nothing for young people). The furniture looks very dirty and used. The textile seats are very unhygienic. People are sitting with shorts and legs full of sun cream. All the cream and the sweat goes in the upholstery/ Bar decor downstairs / Clubhouse needs upgrading: looks very old downstairs (2%); Divots and pitch marks / Some members do not respect the course and do not take care of it whilst playing (2%); And what is the worst/least enjoyable worst/least enjoyable thing about playing golf at Erinvale? 16
Other aspects that dampen Golf club members golf playing experience include the following ... cont... The club at present is not run as efficiently as before in certain major areas which is causing a lot of unhappiness and negativity at the club / Poor management standards in the clubhouse (1%); Expensive if only playing for less than half of the year (1%); Being rushed in season, or any time for that matter (1%); Aspects mentioned by one member each are the following: The non-members get better tee-times than members; Some people's attitude to letting faster players through; The Ladies situation on Tuesdays is appalling. We have to get up in the early hours of the morning to get a tee-time and there are not enough tee-times in the busy season. It is ridiculous that Tuesday, which is Ladies Day the world over does not give priority to ladies; The inconsistency of the marshalling. On many occasions being pestered to play faster when it is not possible to do so - at other times being held up for ages with no marshal in sight; And what is the worst/least enjoyable worst/least enjoyable thing about playing golf at Erinvale? 17
Other aspects that dampen Golf club members golf playing experience include the following ... cont... The Clubhouse: there must be something fundamentally wrong that the facilities are not used more frequently and preference is given by members to rather visit privately run (!) restaurants and places, e.g. the Millhouse (almost always full), etc.; Having to pay subs annually due to the punitive surcharge on paying monthly and at the same time as the Home Owners Levy; Difficult to break in to being part of the Ladies Section; Cumbersome credit systems; Autocratic committee, disregard of members wishes and suggestions; A perception that sometimes the club priorities are not its members, e.g. corporate events in high season, major works (new paths, drainage) in high season...; A bit cliquey. Too many "clubs within a club ; It is an unwelcoming place for a novice golfer. The clubs within the club make it very difficult for low quality golfers like me to get on the course with any degree of ease; Stroking for women; And what is the worst/least enjoyable worst/least enjoyable thing about playing golf at Erinvale? 18
Other aspects that dampen Golf club members golf playing experience include the following ... cont... A very few trouble makers and wingers!; Some objectionable members who do not identify with the overall objectives of the club; Non-members not respecting the rules of the club, especially dress code; Day to day restaurant menu; Hard course compared to most; Inconsiderate golfers who do not rake bunkers especially the deep soft sand bunkers of Erinvale; Members' attitude towards supporting the club; Nothing for my kids to do - kids are persona non grata at the club; Sometimes waiting on the halfway-house; And what is the worst/least enjoyable worst/least enjoyable thing about playing golf at Erinvale? 19
Other aspects that dampen Golf club members golf playing experience include the following ... cont... The course setup (only since early this year); Non-golfers using and benefiting from the environment they live in without additionally contributing; Would prefer our own ProShop, not leased out (organisational structure we enjoyed when Johan Piek was with us); Why are there reservations for groups in high season. Why do they have more privileges than other members? If I pay the same than they do I should have the same rights they have. I am not a second class member. When I want play with my guest I can book 3 months in advance now which we do appreciate. What we do not understand is why we have to pay immediately and foreign players only have to give the credit card numbers. Why is it not enough for me to give the credit card number? You can always claim from me if something goes wrong. You know me; The showers in the men s locker rooms; Maybe more emphasis on allowing senior golfers a more user-friendly course (to enhance enjoyment with less emphasis on course rating ); And what is the worst/least enjoyable worst/least enjoyable thing about playing golf at Erinvale? 20
Other aspects that dampen Golf club members golf playing experience include the following ... cont... Poorly controlled time sheet: bookings are made on tentative basis and cancelled at the last minute; no penalty for no-shows; Spring pollen; Unfriendly workers; Not having the option of a caddy; The lack of Executive management and control of the Golf club; Compared to any other decent golf club, the facilities are not up to standard: if I were a visitor I would have expected a GPS on my cart, ice and water in cooler upon arrival, shoe cleaning facilities before/after a round. Cleaning of cubs during halfway offer to fill drinks etc. We get these as standard services at many other clubs we have played at. To call it a 5 star course can be said for the course, but certainly not for the clubhouse facilities or services. And what is the worst/least enjoyable worst/least enjoyable thing about playing golf at Erinvale? 21
Survey Feedback: Survey Feedback: Non Non- -resident golfers resident golfers 22
Sample overview NON NON- -RESIDENT GOLFERS: AGE RESIDENT GOLFERS: AGE 2% 10% 7% 6% 13% 11% 17% 13% 21% 31 to 45 66 to 70 46 to 50 71 to 75 51 to 55 76 to 80 56 to 60 Older than 80 61 to 65 40% of non-resident golfers are younger than 60 years with just over 20% who are older than 70 years. Compared to active resident golfers, non-resident golfers have a younger age profile. 23
Sample overview NON NON- -RESIDENT GOLFERS : LENGTH OF GOLF CLUB MEMBERSHIP RESIDENT GOLFERS : LENGTH OF GOLF CLUB MEMBERSHIP 8% 23% 28% 14% 27% Less than 2 years 11 to 15 years 2 to 5 years Longer than 15 years 6 to 10 years Close to two-thirds of non-resident golfers have been a member of the Erinvale Golf Club for more than 6 years (almost 40% are members for more than 10 years). 24
Sample overview NON NON- -RESIDENT GOLFERS: INCIDENCE OF HAVING CHILDREN RESIDENT GOLFERS: INCIDENCE OF HAVING CHILDREN 100% 5 24 80% 52 60% 80 59 40% 27 20% 21 17 15 0% Total <60 yrs* 60+ yrs* Do not have children Children are grown-up Still have children in home * Please note: It is not possible to analyse results according to the same age groups as homeowners because of a smaller sample size. Similar to homeowners, majority of non-resident golfers have children with the biggest proportion overall indicating that their children are grown-up. There is a direct relationship between age and children at home, i.e. those younger than 60 years are more likely to still have children at home compared to those older than 60 years. 25
Sample overview CHILDREN PER GROUP CHILDREN PER GROUP Base: Base: Children in home Total Total Number of children Number of children % Baby/Infant (<1 yr) 8 1 in 2 households = 2 Toddler (1-3 yr) 15 1 in 4 households = 4 Pre-school (4-5 yr) 15 1 in 4 households = 4 Junior primary (6-8 yr) 4 1 in 1 household = 1 Senior primary (9-12 yr) 27 1 in 6 households and 2 in 1 households = 8 Teenagers (13-19 yr) 46 1 in 9 households and 2 in 3 households = 15 Young adults (20+ yr) 27 1 in 6 households and 2 in 1 households = 8 Children of non-resident golfers are generally in senior primary, high school (teenagers) or out of school (young adults.) 26
Playing golf at Playing golf at Erinvale Erinvale 27
The course (quality, challenging, beauty) as well as its location close to where members live, are main reasons for becoming a member of the Erinvale Golf club. Course: Quality golf course / Championship course / Top quality (34%); Challenging course / Unique course / Lay-out of course (12%); Beautiful course / Beautiful environment (7%); Well maintained course (5%); Close to home / Stay close by (32%); Best golf club / Prestigious club (11%); Quality facilities / Quality clubhouse / Great practice facilities (7%); Resident at Erinvale (6%); Was a resident at the time of becoming a member (6%); Location (6%); What is the main main reason for becoming a member of Erinvale and not not any other Golf club? 28
Other considerations for becoming a member of Erinvale, include the following: Family & friends are also members (4%); Level of members / Like-minded members / Membership profile (4%); Fantastic ladies section / Many women / Needed to play with more women / Large ladies section for competitiveness and cosmopolitan mix (3%); Enjoy the ambiance / Vibe in clubhouse (3%); Security (3%); Social life / Club activities (3%); Friendly staff (2%); Situated near Cape Town (2%); Less wind than any of the clubs in the area (2%); Always have holidays in Somerset-West and then play golf (2%); A good place to take clients for a round of golf (2%); What is the main main reason for becoming a member of Erinvale and not not any other Golf club? 29
Reasons for joining, mentioned by one member each, are as follows: An all member s club where anyone could play any time of the week and all members were equal (everyone had full membership not lady membership/5 day membership vs. full membership); Quiet and peaceful; Erinvale is a beautiful estate; a lot of friends are living/staying there; Specific standards of service, entertainment/functions; Was involved with the golf course industry and company was also involved with the maintenance of the club at the time of joining; Was persuaded by John Grey, then President, that I could indeed afford to join Erinvale which clearly was superior to any of the other clubs considered; It would have been a members only course; They allowed son to play with me on Saturdays; Strand Golf Club at that time discouraged it, but apparently it changed. What is the main main reason for becoming a member of Erinvale and not not any other Golf club? 30
The main reason for becoming a member of Erinvale, i.e. the quality, challenging and well maintained golf course is also the most enjoyable aspect of playing golf at Erinvale. The beautiful scenery and environment further enhances members enjoyment. The golf course: Great, magnificent, quality and beautiful golf course (44%); Condition of the course / Excellently maintained course (26%); Challenging course / Layout of course (11%); Beautiful scenery/views / Fantastic setting (31%); Friendly, efficient and helpful staff (16%) Good facilities / Great clubhouse (10%); Friendly, welcoming and great members (9%); Members become friends / Friends playing with me / Being together with a lot of friends (7%); What is the best/most enjoyable best/most enjoyable thing about playing golf at Erinvale? 31
Other enjoyable aspects of playing golf at Erinvale include .... The friendly and relaxed atmosphere (3%); The convenient location close to home (3%); The complete picture / Quality of whole experience (3%); Quietness (2%); The weather (2%) Feeling of security (2%); Professional employees / Good quality service from staff (2%); Abundant bird life / Eagles (2%); Single mentions of the following aspects: Regular well organised competitions; Good practice area; The exclusiveness ; Part of golf players, not being singled out as a lady member; can play on Saturdays. What is the best/most enjoyable best/most enjoyable thing about playing golf at Erinvale? 32
Two aspects stand out as putting a damper on non-resident golfers golf playing experience: the condition of some of the bunkers as well as regular non-availability of tee-times. The condition of some of the bunkers (16%); Some bunkers are impossible to play out of, shallow sand in some bunkers / Sausage walled" bunkers / State of some bunkers - unplayable at times / Bunkers are terrible / Poor bunkers inconsistent. Poor bunkers, no sand in bowl but to sides. Both of the these relate to sub-soil, as I do not believe the story of the wind / Non-raked bunkers / The bunkers are one of the sore points in my opinion and very often too little sand is layered leaving a very clay surface with only a couple inches of sand on top. Specifically the 6th and 8th bunkers / The installation of the sausage bunkers by people who don t have any idea about what conforms and doesn't conform to standards has resulted in the members just having to be satisfied with unfair penalties during a round. Regular non-availability of tee-times, especially during summer/busy months (16%); To get a tee-time one has to get up at 6.30 one week ahead and sometimes no more tee-time available / Tee-time availability, priority of members seems to be lower than corporate and visitors / To get a tee-time in the high season is not easy / Fighting for tee-times / Difficulties to get a tee-time. Members pay regularly for the club and the course, but non-members, functions etc. have the better chance to get a tee-time / Unable to get tee times especially during summer.... present procedure of booking is totally unacceptable. And what is the worst/least enjoyable worst/least enjoyable thing about playing golf at Erinvale? 33
Other negative aspects of playing golf at Erinvale include the fact that the club is very busy during summer time and sometimes taken over by corporate golf days. Quality of food (7%); Quality of halfway meals / The quality of food served at the Halfway house is nowhere near that of the clubs which we would like to compare ourselves to... / The food. At halfway house its okay, but for dinner it lacks finesse. Perhaps I am too critical, but compared to other eateries around Somerset West it is not on par. The wine list should have a larger selection of wines / The catering standards fall constantly. Too busy, especially during summer months (6%); Getting a booking in season is sometimes a problem but we live with it as we are regulars / During summer it is difficult to find unplanned playing times. My opinion: a sound balance between numbers of members and non members + guests' " allocated playing times" has not been met. Perhaps this is simply financially driven. Sometimes the club is completely taken over by corporate golf days (6%); Too many corporate days with non-members / The fact that we are now not always able to play when we wish! Too many corporate days and from experience we know that they do not take care of the course as the members do. Besides, it is most unfair on the paying members who do not take part in competitions. At least the morning should be reserved for them / Trouble getting starting times when corporates and members groups have block bookings from week to week to the exclusion of other members who are paying the same subscriptions. Why do we have different rules for different members? / Not able to play, due to too many players and corporate days. And what is the worst/least enjoyable worst/least enjoyable thing about playing golf at Erinvale? 34
Other negative aspects of playing golf at Erinvale include.... Slow players / Pace or play (6%); The ducks / Egyptian geese (4%); Another problem is the geese and the ** on the course. You should clean the course daily in the morning with machines or get rid of a great number of geese. Please have a look at Arabella Golf Course and at Fancourt. Why do they have relatively clean courses?? Perhaps Erinvale can learn from them / The annoyance and mess caused by the Egyptian Geese / The Egyptian geese is still not under control. High membership fees / Costs (4%); Rude members (4%); No golf etiquette and no understanding of what a golf club, or golf, is all about. Slow service (4%); Slow service after the round, especially on the terrace. Staff needs to be faster and more attentive, particularly during the high season / Service in pro shop (not always!), service and food in restaurant (not always!). And what is the worst/least enjoyable worst/least enjoyable thing about playing golf at Erinvale? 35
More negatives of playing golf at Erinvale .... Winter months with water logged fairways (4%); The fact that despite the installation of upgraded drainage years ago, the clay-based fairways continue to provide a terrible experience for the locals in winter. If the course is not closed, invariably it results in a 5 and a half hour round due to carts on the paths only / The sub-soils on the course not properly engineered, hence very wet fairways in winter / Unluckily the course is mostly built on clay which means despite the big improvement in drainage over the years it still gets very wet in winter. Playing golf with a ride on cart and having to stay on the cart paths is a real "pain" and the worst way to play golf. I sometimes think we are too protective of the course....its for using and enjoying. Members complaining about everything / Unappreciative members / Members constantly complaining. They have a really beautiful golf course and a good clubhouse facility but still manage to whinge (3%); Need some younger members! Everyone seems old! / Membership is very old (3%); Halfway house / The worst sometimes is the halfway house which is not managed properly and waiting for your food / The halfway house does nothing in contributing towards a 5 star experience, both in size and proximity (3%); Booking system / The booking system for members: a member is at the end of the line; very humiliating, think Erinvale is the only club with a booking system where non members have priority over members!! How flattering (2%); And what is the worst/least enjoyable worst/least enjoyable thing about playing golf at Erinvale? 36
More negatives of playing golf at Erinvale .... cont... Obsession by the committee to play the course week in and week out as a US Open layout. There are so many options to play the course in more interesting and challenging ways than purely concentrate on distance. Please be more creative when setting up the course; Only 2 carts allowed per 4 ball. High cost; Some members think they are superior; Late prize-giving; The discipline re competitions: people who are allowed to play on a competition day but not in the competition? The recent lack of bird / chicks: not one baby & very few adult pheasant, guinea-fowl seen on course. Little kestrel lying dead with its stomach ripped out near dam on 9th / 1st. Please, please, seize with the cruel, cruel unnatural, method used with bringing in a hawk eagle to destroy chicks. Erinvale is not its natural environment; how cruel can we be! The reception; The showers in the men s locker rooms; And what is the worst/least enjoyable worst/least enjoyable thing about playing golf at Erinvale? 38
More negatives of playing golf at Erinvale .... cont... The total erosion, since I joined, of the very realistic financial concessions extended to overseas members. This causes me seriously to review, every year, whether I can really justify the great discrepancy between cost and benefit. So far, we have tended to conclude "one more year. Watching a club in decline. Watching omni present multiple green staff working at snails pace. Abysmal attention to detail in the course management e.g. playing on worn out tees because no one can be bothered to move the boxes, recent match against Steenberg necessitated an apology for the state of the holes, lack of gur areas where it is clear the ground condition calls for it, the state of the bunkers which are defended and excused when they are really indefensible. Pearl Valley closed their course for one week and completed the hollow timing of the entire course during that time. Compare the time taken to do the same at Erinvale. Worse of all is a widely held view that any constructive criticism is defended on a we know better basis. The sad fact is that I and others play at, and visit other courses in the Cape and see how they are in the main improving year by year. Does anyone running the club do the same? The suggestion in again defending the sand in the bunkers is affected by the wind (one of many excuses) needs to go to Milnerton, Clovelly or Pearl Valley to name a few. Finally, and you asked, I see little objectivity in the accounts. This club should be run for the benefit of members. I see no normal practice (on running a business) where various costs are debated, challenged and drilled down and the budget built from bottom up and the subs are produced as a result of the exercise. In the last 5 years the subs have risen by circa R1000 year on year. What a coincidence, looks rather top down to me. And what is the worst/least enjoyable worst/least enjoyable thing about playing golf at Erinvale? 39
More negatives of playing golf at Erinvale .... cont... The fact that we do not seem to cater very well for working people for the following reasons: 1) It is impossible to play 9 holes before work. During my first few years as a member this was possible. 2) Until very recently, the catering facilities / staff / prices were not such that I would want to bring, friends, colleagues, clients to the club. The new menu implemented recently is a major step forward however. Service also seems to have improved and hopefully the improvement will be sustained. 3) Whilst I am one of the younger male members of the club, and thus still hit the ball reasonably far albeit seldom straight, I very often get the feeling that the course is set up for the single figure golfer as opposed to the average golf member. Silly things like the fact that there is still no drop zone on the 14th should be addressed. 4) I believe we have not come up with innovative financial models to attract working people. Whilst I don't personally mind subsidizing other members (I don't play nearly as many rounds annually as retired members do), I do believe we could look at other membership models to incentivize new working members to join, based on a partial upfront green-fee system. We should also look at a potential 10 year debenture system for families. 5) I am always very thankful to committee members who gratuitously give of their time. Some of the capex on the course particularly relating to moving tees and paths is not however properly motivated to the general membership and sometimes creates the impression of being somewhat arbitrary. 6) Something should be done about shade and benches on some of the tees, is of concern to some of the older members. And what is the worst/least enjoyable worst/least enjoyable thing about playing golf at Erinvale? 40
Some more thoughts on additional facilities ... Create a proper bird watching facility at the dam left of the 17th hole. One of the main attractions on the course and can be utilized better. Create a big awareness of nature and a conservation initiative; I would highly recommend a pool and rest area I think due to the position which enjoys shelter from the wind this would be a fantastic addition and evolve the estate from a golf only club to a true country club such as those in the States and encourage members to utilize it outside of golf; Social events such as a movie evening or Jazz or pop classics evening. Two non-resident golfers made the following comments: The above is a very good idea to position Erinvale in a different league, as I believe the majority of your residence will be non-working or high end business men who do not need to travel at common business hours. If you have the area, consider other common facilities to accommodate younger high end professionals; Before consideration is given to the introduction of any of the above, we should first and foremost concentrate on RECTIFYING the wrongs of the past with regard to what Erinvale was always supposed to be - a GOLF ESTATE, with decisions made by people who understand GOLF. Small wonder that our course can never host another SA Open or World Cup, even if we wanted to... .look at the bunkers, a joke, I m sorry to say, and we as members had to pay for these bizarre sausage bunkers. Is there any other facility, not listed above, that you would make use of, should the estate offer it? 41
Conclusions & Recommendations Conclusions & Recommendations 42
Conclusions The research confirmed that the average Erinvale homeowner is relatively old : almost 70% are 60 years or older. Compared to homeowners, the average non-resident golf member is slightly younger; Most homeowners are golf club members with the biggest proportion who are active (playing) members; Most homeowners have been living on the estate for at least 10 years; approximately a third do not live on the estate permanently; Although most homeowners and non-resident golfers have children, children are mainly grown-up and do not stay with their parents anymore. 43
Conclusions cont... Security, the beautiful environment/views/scenery as well as the top quality, championship golf course were not only the reasons for buying a property in Erinvale, but are also the aspects that residents enjoy everyday about living on the estate. Although not a major issue, some residents complain about the noise from various sources, such as mowing machines, dogs and children. The quality, condition, beauty and challenge of the golf course are enjoyed a lot when playing golf; players experience is however hampered by the condition of some bunkers as well as the difficulty of getting tee-times. Golf club members also feel that there are too many corporate days, that the course is too busy during peak season (summer) and that the food offered is not up to standard. Compared to older homeowners and golf club members, younger homeowners and golf club members are more positive about the introduction of additional facilities to the estate. A hiking trail, gym and jogging trail receive the most support; interest in these is especially high amongst those younger than 60 years. 44
Recommendations The security it offers as well as the beautiful environment/views/scenery are key hooks that can be used to market Erinvale to the general public; From the research it was clear that younger homeowners and golf club members are more positive towards a range of proposed different facilities; the introduction of a few key facilities therefore would serve as a way to attract younger people to the estate. In this regard, it seems that the most widely accepted facilities to consider would be a hiking trail, gym and jogging trail. 45
