Darren Chester and David Harrison were newly elected to the board at Corowa Golf Club’s AGM. There was no sugar-coating that the club is in trouble without serious direction.
Corowa Golf Club’s annual general meeting was dealt a harsh, but realistic message last week.
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Over the past 12 months, club patronage has been considerably down and without substantially increased patronage and/or amalgamation with another club, the writing is on the wall.
About 80 people attended last Wednesday’s AGM and heard President Debra Eason’s warning.
Ms Eason said for the club to remain solvent, more people needed to spend time in the club which also needed to look at any amalgamation possibility.
“We’ll be flat out being here in 12 months’ time unless we do something; we’re not going to sugarcoat it,” she said.
“Financial sustainability has again been challenging throughout 2025.
“We all continue to experience increases in the cost of living and CGC is no exception with all sectors of our business impacted.”
The finances
The president’s warning followed the financial reports for the 12 months to September 30, 2025, which revealed a net operating loss of $418,000 compared to $482,000 the previous year.
This was despite an increase in gross income of nine per cent and an increase in expenses of more than 7.5 per cent.
With costs factored in, the club showed a staggering $908,000 loss compared to $563,000 last year.
Revenue in 2024/25 was $4,688 million, up from $4,601 million the previous year with payroll amounting to $2.3 million.
“The board has mentioned on numerous occasions an interest in a partnering/amalgamation arrangement to support various aspects of our operations,” Ms Eason said.
Corowa Golf club president, Debra Eason addresses the AGM.
Already the club is paying off an interest-free loan of $300,000 from Club Corowa with $200,000 still owing.
“Club Corowa has been very generous in extending the payback arrangements,” general manager Kim Gregg said.
Ms Gregg said this year’s focus shifted from long-term strategic planning to survival and sustainability planning.
“Operating a diverse club with ageing infrastructure, combined with rising costs has continued to place significant pressure on the bottom line,” she said.
“As a result, the club has been required to make difficult but necessary decisions with further changes likely.”
Changes include closing the locker rooms and downstairs areas due to the deteriorating building conditions and concerns around staff, safety.
The club has been closing early on Tuesdays, its quietest trading day and priority has been delivering a high-quality 18-hole course and practice fairways, and improved productivity and efficiency.
Some good news
Ms Gregg pointed out that significant uplift in several key areas had provided confidence the club was offering what the town and wider region needed.
The gaming/sports bar area, and events, functions and entertainment have been a standout success with strong growth in the darts event, two music festivals and an increase in birthday and life celebrations.
Food offerings have been transformed and modern marketing has lifted community awareness along with green fee and car hire revenues which were supported by online booking systems.
Ageing gaming machines and behaviour issues in the gaming area have been deterring would-be users, including regular golf club members.
Gaming needs a lift
Newly elected board director David Harrison said $32 million in revenue was generated from gaming machines in the Corowa area last year.
“We want a greater share of that; our machines are old and outdated.”
Ms Gregg said the club had strengthened its relationship with Golf on the Murray (GOTM) clubs, secured joint hosting rights for the Mid-Amateur Championships next May, the Victorian Golf Course Superintendents Association Conference next August and planning for an even larger music festival.
After 23 years, the Marcus Fraser Ambrose Event which often attracted 400 entries over the two full days will be replaced with a Summer Ambrose Event with two full days of competition with musical entertainment.
It is also hoped that ultimately the club may have the opportunity to purchase the freehold land, an outcome Ms Gregg said would be a game-changer for long-term sustainability.
Changes at the helm
David Harrison and Darren Chester were elected as directors to the board and outstanding contributors over decades, Margaret Playford and Richard Sargood were made Life Members.
New general manager Ashley Boyd takes over from Kim Gregg on January 12.
Mr Boyd was warmly welcomed at the AGM and Ms Gregg was strongly applauded for her work over the past three years.
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