DHGC BOARD MEETING NEWS BULLETIN
Edition: March 2026
From the Chairman
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HEADLINES
• Emergency lighting inspection completed and fire evacuation drill scheduled
• Bar price increase approved in response to ongoing cost pressures
• New financial forecasting process introduced to strengthen financial control
• Website update and membership induction improvements under review
• 18 new members joining for the new season as subscriptions begin arriving
• Competition participation under review to improve engagement
________________________________________
MAIN STORIES
1. Club Operations & Member Experience
The Captain, reported on a successful charity evening held on 28 February featuring the Jersey Boys. Discussion also took place regarding the club remaining open following visiting society events. It was noted that remaining open without confirmed demand can negatively impact staffing cost control.
Bar prices have been reviewed due to continued inflationary pressures and increases in minimum wage rates. Benchmarking against local clubs showed Druids Heath to be approximately 40p cheaper per pint on average. The Board approved a 10% bar price increase with immediate effect.
The General Manager reported that annual subscriptions were issued on 2 March and payments have begun to arrive, with approximately 50 members already setting up direct debits. Locker invoices were issued at the same time and around half have been paid.
________________________________________
2. Course & Facilities
Course measurement dates have been booked for July and will be communicated to members. This work is required to retain England Golf accreditation. Prior to the measurements, some course stones will be repositioned by the greenkeeping team.
________________________________________
3. Finance & Governance
The Treasurer introduced a new process to review the previous month’s financial results and produce a forecast for the following month ahead of each Board meeting. This approach aims to strengthen financial visibility and improve control over cash flow and revenue planning.
Cash reserves have declined due to recent investment projects and will continue to be managed carefully. A revenue forecast for March, prepared by the General Manager, was reviewed and demonstrated how event income can support revenue when member spending is lower.
Changes in financial regulations mean Golf Credit will no longer pay incentive interest to the club, reducing revenue by approximately £8k in February. Poor weather also continued to affect bar and catering revenue, although some equipment sales helped offset this.
A year-end VAT adjustment is expected due to the proportion of income derived from subscriptions, which may result in a £10k–£20k accounting loss after the calculation is applied.
The Board also discussed whether additional financial training could help broaden understanding of the club’s accounts and asked the Treasurer to review the current support arrangement.
________________________________________
4. Membership & Marketing
The Marketing, Communications and Membership report included discussion about updating the club website and further developing the new member induction process in collaboration with Ken Ford.
The General Manager reported that 18 new members have signed up to start the new season.
________________________________________
5. Health, Safety & Compliance
All emergency lighting was serviced in February, and the certification has been received.
A fire evacuation drill will be carried out during the month.
________________________________________
6. Decisions, Actions & Next Steps
• Fire evacuation drill to be conducted during the month
• Bar price increase of 10% to be implemented
• Course measurement scheduled for July to maintain England Golf accreditation
• Website update and membership induction programme development to continue
• Treasurer to review financial support and training arrangements
• Further review of competition formats to improve participation levels
________________________________________
CLOSING NOTE
Thank you to all members for your continued engagement and support as we prepare for the new season. The Board remains committed to open communication and will continue to keep members informed as developments progress.
Chairman, Druids Heath Golf Club
________________________________________
HEADLINES
• Emergency lighting inspection completed and fire evacuation drill scheduled
• Bar price increase approved in response to ongoing cost pressures
• New financial forecasting process introduced to strengthen financial control
• Website update and membership induction improvements under review
• 18 new members joining for the new season as subscriptions begin arriving
• Competition participation under review to improve engagement
________________________________________
MAIN STORIES
1. Club Operations & Member Experience
The Captain, reported on a successful charity evening held on 28 February featuring the Jersey Boys. Discussion also took place regarding the club remaining open following visiting society events. It was noted that remaining open without confirmed demand can negatively impact staffing cost control.
Bar prices have been reviewed due to continued inflationary pressures and increases in minimum wage rates. Benchmarking against local clubs showed Druids Heath to be approximately 40p cheaper per pint on average. The Board approved a 10% bar price increase with immediate effect.
The General Manager reported that annual subscriptions were issued on 2 March and payments have begun to arrive, with approximately 50 members already setting up direct debits. Locker invoices were issued at the same time and around half have been paid.
________________________________________
2. Course & Facilities
Course measurement dates have been booked for July and will be communicated to members. This work is required to retain England Golf accreditation. Prior to the measurements, some course stones will be repositioned by the greenkeeping team.
________________________________________
3. Finance & Governance
The Treasurer introduced a new process to review the previous month’s financial results and produce a forecast for the following month ahead of each Board meeting. This approach aims to strengthen financial visibility and improve control over cash flow and revenue planning.
Cash reserves have declined due to recent investment projects and will continue to be managed carefully. A revenue forecast for March, prepared by the General Manager, was reviewed and demonstrated how event income can support revenue when member spending is lower.
Changes in financial regulations mean Golf Credit will no longer pay incentive interest to the club, reducing revenue by approximately £8k in February. Poor weather also continued to affect bar and catering revenue, although some equipment sales helped offset this.
A year-end VAT adjustment is expected due to the proportion of income derived from subscriptions, which may result in a £10k–£20k accounting loss after the calculation is applied.
The Board also discussed whether additional financial training could help broaden understanding of the club’s accounts and asked the Treasurer to review the current support arrangement.
________________________________________
4. Membership & Marketing
The Marketing, Communications and Membership report included discussion about updating the club website and further developing the new member induction process in collaboration with Ken Ford.
The General Manager reported that 18 new members have signed up to start the new season.
________________________________________
5. Health, Safety & Compliance
All emergency lighting was serviced in February, and the certification has been received.
A fire evacuation drill will be carried out during the month.
________________________________________
6. Decisions, Actions & Next Steps
• Fire evacuation drill to be conducted during the month
• Bar price increase of 10% to be implemented
• Course measurement scheduled for July to maintain England Golf accreditation
• Website update and membership induction programme development to continue
• Treasurer to review financial support and training arrangements
• Further review of competition formats to improve participation levels
________________________________________
CLOSING NOTE
Thank you to all members for your continued engagement and support as we prepare for the new season. The Board remains committed to open communication and will continue to keep members informed as developments progress.
Chairman, Druids Heath Golf Club