By James Sutherland – CEO, Golf Australia
AUSTRALIAN golf clubs are entering one of the most important periods of change and opportunity the game has seen in decades.
Participation continues to grow, new formats and experiences are attracting more Australians into golf, and clubs are increasingly recognised not only as sporting venues, but as important community assets that support wellbeing, connection and local economies.
But with that opportunity comes increasing complexity.
Today’s golf clubs are managing rising community expectations, significant infrastructure and capital assets, volunteers and staff, compliance obligations, participation growth, inclusion initiatives and long-term sustainability challenges, all while continuing to deliver high-quality experiences for members and visitors.
That is why strong governance and capable club leadership have never been more important.
Over recent months, Golf Australia has been working with Golf Business Advisory Services (GBAS) to benchmark 600+ boards and analyse club governance challenges nationally.
L-R: Ron Stone, President Mandurah Country Club, Peter Margin, Chair of Golf Australia, Gary Colquhoun, PGA Professional Mandurah Country Club).
The soon to be released research highlights that while many clubs are performing strongly, governance capability is emerging as a critical factor in long-term sustainability and success.
Key challenges include ongoing uncertainty around the distinction between board and management roles, and a tendency in many clubs to remain focused on operational issues at the expense of strategic priorities.
The findings also reinforce the growing importance of board capability, succession planning and diversity, alongside the continued reliance on volunteers who remain central to the operation of clubs across Australian golf, particularly in regional communities.
These themes are reflected in the industry’s new national strategy, BIG SWINGS 2026–2030, which places a clear focus on ensuring clubs, courses and venues are growing in number, thriving, sustainable and inclusive, supported by modern governance that helps them adapt to changing golfer expectations and community needs.
We are already seeing the impact stronger governance can have.
Mandurah Country Club in Western Australia is a clear example of how modern governance can directly support performance, sustainability and long-term growth. Recognised by Golf Australia as the inaugural winner of the Most Outstanding Club, Facility or Place to Play (Metropolitan) award, Mandurah’s transformation has been underpinned by a deliberate shift to stronger governance, clearer strategic planning and long-term decision-making.
In just two years, the club transitioned from a traditional committee structure to a streamlined six-person board supported by specialist governance subcommittees. This created clearer accountability, faster decision-making and stronger strategic oversight.
That governance reform has delivered significant outcomes on and off the course. Membership has grown beyond 1,200 members, the highest in the club’s history, while the club has recorded an operating surplus exceeding $940,000 and achieved record participation levels.
Importantly, the stronger governance structure also enabled confidence in long-term investment decisions, including a clubhouse expansion and a fully funded $2 million irrigation upgrade designed to future-proof the facility and support continued growth.
What makes Mandurah’s story particularly compelling is that its success has not come from changing its culture or community focus, it has come from modernising how the club governs, plans and makes decisions.
The Mandurah Country Club, the inaugural winner of the Most Outstanding Club, Facility or Place to Play (Metropolitan) award.
Supporting more clubs to enhance governance is a major focus for Golf Australia.
Last year we partnered with the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) to launch the Golf Australia Club Governance Program – a practical, golf-specific governance education program to help build capability among club leadership teams.
The response was overwhelming training more than 775 leaders from over 360 clubs nationally, with volunteers making up two thirds of participants. More than half of participants have already reported changes to governance practices at their club as a direct result of the training.
Over the coming month, Golf Australia and AICD will release the next phase of the partnership, including expanded learning opportunities and additional governance pathways.
We encourage all current and aspiring club directors, General Managers, committee members, administrators and even club members interested in upskilling in golf leadership to register their interest in the next phase of the program.
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Article Link: https://www.insidegolf.com.au/news/golf-australia/why-your-club-is-only-as-strong-as-its-board-of-directors/