AS an elite amateur golfer in the 1990s, Fiza Errington dreamed of playing professionally.
But the emergence of a new generation of outstanding Korean golfers convinced her that her future in the game lay beyond competition.
“I played off scratch at the top amateur level, but when I saw all the superb Korean golfers I knew I wouldn’t be able to compete with them, so I decided to study golf and sports management,” she said.
It proved to be a defining decision.
Today, Errington is the general manager of Melville Glades Golf Club in Perth, bringing decades of club management experience to one of Western Australia’s leading private member clubs.
Golf has been part of her life since childhood, and her first job in the industry reflected the work ethic that would define her career.
She joined Burswood Park Golf Course as its first female range attendant.
“I was the first range girl hired to run the range cart picking up golf balls and it gave me an opportunity to demonstrate my work ethic and commitment,” she recalled. “That was my first foray into the golf working world.”
From those beginnings, Ms Errington built an impressive résumé spanning Australia and the Middle East.
Melville Glades Golf Club general manager Fiza Errington.
After senior management experience in Dubai and working in Golf WA as the Development Manager in junior golf and high performance, she moved into general manager roles in Victoria at Cardinia Beacon Hills Golf Links, Spring Valley Golf Club and the role of Operations Manager at Yarra Yarra Golf Club before moving back to Perth after the Covid borders were opened. She was then the general manager at Perth’s Gosnells Golf Club for three years.
Four months ago, she took the reins at Melville Glades after beating a strong field of local and international applicants.
Ms Errington also boasts an impressive list of qualifications including a Certificate IV and Diploma in Golf Management, a Bachelor of Business majoring in Sports Management and a postgraduate degree in Education.
And she was also the first woman in Australia to earn Certified Club Manager (CCM) accreditation through the Club Management Association of America.
In the club’s newsletter to staff and members, Melville Glades then-president Mark Bonser described Ms Errington as a hands-on leader committed to supporting staff and volunteers while maintaining strong governance, compliance and financial stewardship.
Since arriving at the club, Ms Errington’s immediate priority has been building the right team.
“We have to make sure we have the right people in the right role, which is crucial,” she said. “We’ve also made changes to our food and beverage offering to encourage members to support the club and enjoy a wider dining experience.”
She believes successful clubs are about much more than golf.
“We recently held a country and western night where everyone dressed in cowboy boots and hats. It’s something fun that brings members together and encourages camaraderie,” she said.
“We’re here for more than just golf. Social events should be part of the club experience because they’re how relationships are built. Sport is simply the platform that brings us together.”
Like many private clubs, Melville Glades is balancing tradition with the demands of a changing golf industry.
“The challenge is trying to marry what we know we need to do for the future of golf and the club with the expectations of our members and the needs of the business,” Ms Errington said.
“We’re about to embark on significant strategic discussions about the future of the club and I hope we can take our members with us on that journey.”
The Melville Glades Golf Club, a leading private member club in Perth.
Her vision is to position Melville Glades among Australia’s strongest member clubs while continuing to grow participation and strengthen the club’s culture.
“There is so much opportunity, and it’s exciting to think about what the future could look like here,” she said. “If we can keep our members happy while ensuring the business continues to grow, then we’ve done our job.”
Throughout her career, Ms Errington says her greatest strengths have been simple but enduring.
“What has served me well is my values, integrity and optimism … and we have to have kindness in what we do,” she said.
“There is power in kindness, and I hold strongly to that in how I deal with people. Kindness and empathy are essential when you’re in the people business.”
Away from the office, Ms Errington enjoys spending time with her two young children, aged eight and three, and playing the occasional round of golf.
“With two young children and my work, golf is not on my side,” she laughed. “I’m enjoying golf for what it is now. I’m no longer in the competitive space I once was. For me, golf is just a nice walk in the park.”
Her passion for the game, however, remains unchanged.
“I came into this industry because I wanted to do more for the game and help ensure the next generation of golfers enjoys what we have to offer.”
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