The Prince Rupert Golf Course enjoyed a much more profitable year in 2014 compared to last year, said its executive members at its annual general meeting (AGM) on Dec. 7.
“[We] ended 2014 a little over $30,000 in the black,” said Prince Rupert Golf Club president Fred Hainstock.
“Obviously we had to use 2014 revenue to pay off the [$25,000] 2013 losses.”
A second straight summer of gorgeous weather graced the links and helped with revenue, although a drop in numbers in both local and out-of-town players was evident in some tournaments during the season.
“The club ended 2013 in a less than stellar financial position and going into the season as the sole operator of the course and pro shop, faced several challenges,” wrote Hainstock in a summary of the AGM.
Hainstock added those challenges included re-negotiating the club’s contract with the city, negotiating the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) contract with course workers, taking over the Pro Shop and bar operations, negotiating a kitchen operators contract, replacing the clubhouse roof, entering into a new lease for rental carts, renovating the pro shop and securing a loan to clear up the club’s “aged payables” from the previous year.
“No small task list for a volunteer board.” Hainstock wrote.
The new executive committee includes Hainstock as president, John Georgescu as vice-president, Richard Adams as treasurer, Patrizia Stevens as secretary, and Susan Mackenzie, Ian Robinson, Helder Marques, Andrew Schaeffer, George Negru and Layne Young as directors. Dorothy Wharton is ladies’ club captain and Al Green is mens’ club captain.
The club received help through “hard work and dedication by a small group of volunteers, a dedicated club manager, a food and beverage committee, the grounds crew and a break from Mother Nature”, wrote Hainstock.
As well, fundraising efforts by Scott Farwell and the Prince Rupert Regional Community Foundation helped put the club into a better financial position. New initiatives included a junior golf program, spearheaded by Ian Robinson, Byron Gordon and Pacific NorthWest LNG, a ladies’ Introduction to Golf program and Thursday night drop-in golf.
“We were fortunate to have North Coast Log Sort donate a new ball dispenser, 150 dozen range balls and some new mats for the driving range,” explained Hainstock.
“We will be holding volunteer work parties through the winter to help clear the brush on the driving range as well as the salmonberry bushes around the perimeter of the golf course and would appreciate as many members as possible coming out to help. Dates and times will be posted on our Facebook page at Prince Rupert Golf Club.”