It’s been a challenging couple of months for Golf Australia. It started with the resignation of chief executive officer Stephen Pitt in February, who after 11 years at the helm decided it was time to move on after what he admitted was a poor run of financial results under his watch.
Pitt joined Golf Australia in 2008 and oversaw a period of change and expansion, including the growth and consolidation of the Australian Opens, the introduction of the MyGolf junior golfers program, which has 28,000 members, the National Vision 2025 strategy and most recently the new governance structure.
While they have yet to formally appoint Pitt’s successor – a process delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic – Golf Australia chairman Andrew Newbold has stepped up to the plate. But it’s been anything but a smooth interim period for the former Hawthorn Football Club President. A lawyer by profession, Newbold is regarded as one of the most progressive sports administrators in Australia. A keen golfer and entrepreneur, he is also a board member and chairman of several other companies, a commissioner with the Australian Football League and  a Hawthorn life member.
This week has been perhaps one of his toughest. After releasing Golf Australia’s mission statement on Covid-19 yesterday, advising all Australian golf clubs to close while the country attempts to contain the spread of the virus, the governing body was subjected to barrage of criticism on social media – at times vitriolic – from golfers.
To help the call for calm, Newbold agreed to sit down with Australian Golf Digest editor Brad Clifton and answer some of the questions thrown at us. Here’s how it unfolded:
AGD: Andrew, thanks for your time. It’s been an interesting few weeks with regards to government regulations directly impacting golf-club operations around the country. People are understandably on edge. What have you made of the conflicting advice and, secondly, where does Golf Australia stand with its latest advice?
AN: The mixed messaging from the Federal Government and different state and territory governments has been regrettable and very problematic for a national body trying to send a consistent message to its stakeholders. However, having said that, GA has taken a precautionary approach and has been at pains to adopt a socially responsible position whilst acknowledging the importance of the game of golf to so many in our community. We are also acutely aware of the effect of closing golf facilities around the country on the financial health of our clubs and all the staff that work in those clubs. None of this is easy, but golf is a game and not life or death.
What’s your message to those who may not fully understand the federated structure of golf in this country and where the balance of power actually sits with regards to each state’s decision?
Well … five states and territories are under the One Golf umbrella and NSW and WA sit outside that structure at the moment. The golf bodies have generally been aligned on our response to the Covid-19 crisis, but the difficulty for golf and its member courses has been the difference in various state government restrictions around stay-at-home measures and what exactly is expected from individuals as part of those measures.
Does the Covid-19 situation further highlight the need for one unified body to rule the game in the country?
No, I think there are other more compelling reasons for a unified body to administer golf in this country. Actually, the different state bodies have been generally well aligned in our response to Covid-19.
Like other national sporting bodies, should Golf Australia wield the power to open and shut golf courses?
Not necessarily, no. Each club is its own small business and we are really just a service provider to those businesses. In the current situation, our role has been to take all soundings from governments around the country and make recommendations to the industry having weighed up all relevant factors. It is then for clubs to make their own decisions based on their individual circumstances and taking account of all risks, insurances, etc, etc.
Will we ever see a National Cabinet-like set-up where Golf Australia and the state bodies come together to communicate one, unified message in crises like this?
I am reasonably comfortable that the state bodies have communicated a unified message. Before sending out any recommendations to clubs, each state body has been consulted.
Is there a fear that many of Australia’s courses, particularly smaller ones, will disappear as a result of this pandemic?
Like all small businesses around the country, many clubs will suffer great financial hardship as a result of this pandemic. As I said earlier, our clubs are no different to all Australian small businesses. Hopefully, we can assist clubs to survive through this crisis and, as with many things, that will be reliant on the support of GA, governments, local councils and, of course, their members and other stakeholders.
Are you currently formulating a plan to support affected clubs, financially and/or more?
Yes, absolutely. This is a critical part of our role as the governing body. We are currently undertaking a process to contact – alongside Golf NSW and Golf WA – every club and facility in the country to understand how they have been impacted and begin to implement short-term and medium-term support measures. Very shortly, we will be communicating to clubs how we will be able to assist them in securing funding through available government grants, for example.
It was interesting to see other sports, like the NRL, immediately appeal for government handouts to help their sport survive this crisis. Is golf currently in discussions with government for support of any kind?
Yes. Again, it is an important part of our role as the governing body for us to work with governments for the benefit of our sport. We are undertaking a detailed piece of work around what funding is available to our clubs and our sport more generally and we will work collaboratively with governments (Federal, state and local) to achieve the best outcome we can for golf.
Membership fees will inevitably come up if clubs are forced to close for an extended period of time. What’s Golf Australia’s advice to clubs and members regarding this?
This is a personal opinion and not necessarily the view of GA, but I think members generally will be keen to support their club. Often a golf club is a very important part of the member’s life. It is their place of exercise and social interaction and for many it is very very critical to their wellbeing, both physical and mental. The key issue will be the member’s ability to financially support that club in the circumstances that flow from this Covid-19 crisis. I’m sure all clubs will be sensitive to all members’ personal circumstances coming out the other end of the pandemic.
It’s not a great time for anyone right now. How has this crisis affected Golf Australia directly?
Of course. GA has not been immune from the effects of this crisis. All our staff have done a wonderful job in difficult circumstances. Again, we are no different to any other Australian business and we have taken – and must continue to take – difficult decisions to get through this, just like all other organisations dealing with it.
