Dear Members, East or West, Home is Best. I just returned from a week-long golfing escapade in Perth touring our Reciprocal Clubs with 3 other very agreeable and like-minded RSGC Members. Royal Fremantle, Royal Perth, Cottesloe, Mount Lawley, Joondalup and Lake Kerrinyup were on the target list. Alas, we missed out on Kerrinyup constrained by a packed schedule. Perhaps next time. For Members who have not exercised their privilege to access these mostly very Private Members Only Clubs, I recommend that you find the time to partake. All were within a half hour of downtown Perth and without exception, welcoming to RSGC members.
Other than Joondalup, all were small private clubs without the grandeur of extensive facilities, shiny new club houses or marble clad changing rooms embellished with toiletries from Bvgalri or Balmain. There is sometimes a perception that these embellishments are de rigueur if you wish to be considered a premium club. Strangely, none of these omissions detracted from the exclusive Members only club atmosphere that made one feel special and privileged to be there. They certainly did not detract from the enjoyment of our golf. Having said that, the modest level of facilities at some of the clubs extended to dormitory style stand in a line open shower. We chose not to indulge although I wonder why as we would have been willing to sacrifice that same personal space and modesty at a Japanese Onsen.
What was it that made these clubs exude exclusivity, making you feel special as a visitor or imagining in your mind’s eye how a member of one of these clubs would be so proud to belong. To a certain extent, it was to do with getting the basics just right. The staff knew the names of almost every Member that came through the door. Spotlessly clean facilities that whilst basic were meticulously maintained. Staff who seemed sincerely happy to be there. Members who interacted as if they were all part of the same cohort. But more than that, most were older clubs with an undeniable sense of heritage projected using carefully curated displays of their history through photos, trophies, old golf clubs, merit boards, gifts from visiting clubs; things which cannot be replicated by new pretenders in their shiny suits.
Strangely, The RSGC is already all that and much more. The heritage, the camaraderie amongst Members, staff familiar with us and us with them, the privilege of 300 acres smack in the middle of a busy metropolis, and truth be told, basics that need refining and polishing but overall, a club that works and we are proud to be part of. Can we improve? Certainly, and that’s what each President, Captain and Committee strives to do. Regardless, we also have to be careful not to compromise what we have in the name of pure efficiency and productivity. If the Club is run like a regulated financial institution or a for profit listed corporate then it will begin to feel like one. It’s a real fine balance.
When I retake stock of some our inefficiencies they appear on the other side of the coin as virtues. The clubs we visited had no staff to help us unload at bag drops, no caddies on standby, no bag storage or battery charging. No front counter, just the pro shop to administer all matters. No changing room attendants. No course marshals, no one at the halfway hut to remember and serve your F&B preferences. No security staff. Unmanned driving range. In Australia, that felt natural and we didn’t expect anything more. We were most happy and privileged to access these hallowed clubs, make do and soak in the atmosphere but we were in Rome and doing what the Romans do.
Day in day out, golfing at RSGC, I savour the wisdom of previous Presidents, Captains and Committees for running RSGC as a truly special Members Club keeping indulgences which whilst not truly necessary, cater to the wants and desires of our members even if they do not make us the most efficiently run organisation. I am so privileged to belong at RSGC and when I need reminding of how lucky we all are, I return to Rome to do what the Romans do. East or West, Home is best.
Raymond Yeoh
Captain
