DRUIDS HEATH GOLF CLUB – BOARD MEETING NEWS BULLET
Edition: April 2026
From the Chairman
HEADLINES
• Year-end profit delivered despite March loss and one-off costs
• Cash reserves exceed £600k following subscription intake
• Reconciliation issue under investigation to identify root cause
• Strong membership retention with 44 new members recruited
• Apprenticeship programme approved for course development
• Club accredited as an official England Golf Junior Hub
MAIN STORIES
1. Club Operations & Member Experience
Bar closing times were raised following instances where members did not leave at the agreed time. The club has addressed this directly with those involved.
A new sound system has been installed, improving the quality of announcements and events within the clubhouse.
The General Manager reported strong engagement with club facilities, including full utilisation of lockers, all of which have been rented for the new season, generating over £8k in additional revenue. A waiting list is now in place.
The new buggy fleet has arrived and is now in operation.
2. Course & Facilities
The course is reported to be in excellent condition at the start of the new season, with standards meeting expectations.
An apprenticeship position has been approved, combining on-the-job training with a structured three-year education programme. Recruitment will proceed in coordination with the General Manager.
A meeting is scheduled regarding the bore hole project, with financial details to be shared with the Treasurer.
Work continues on course definition following stump grinding, with further guidance to be confirmed with England Golf.
The motion system upgrade for the entrance gates has been approved and will now be implemented.
3. Finance & Governance
The Treasurer presented the year-end accounts, confirming a March loss driven by one-off costs, VAT adjustments and depreciation. Despite this, the club delivered an overall annual profit of approximately £13k.
Cash reserves have increased to over £600k following subscription income, providing a strong financial position at the start of the new season.
A reconciliation issue has been identified. Giving a negative cash discrepancy of £12k over the year. A full evaluation is underway to determine root cause and ensure our control systems prevent recurrence.
Bar gross margin has improved from 46% to 50%, and kitchen gross margin has increased to 58%. However, labour costs have risen significantly, with minimum wage increases accounting for a large proportion of cost growth. The Board acknowledged the ongoing challenge of achieving profitability in food and beverage operations under current conditions.
Discussion took place regarding the allocation of social membership income within financial reporting. A further meeting will be arranged to determine the appropriate approach.
The Glenn Williams tribunal case is scheduled for hearing, with the remaining claim relating to worker rights. The club considers that its obligations have been met.
The professional retainer is under review, with a proposal to be developed following further discussion.
4. Membership & Marketing
Membership renewal levels are strong, with 39 cancellations recorded, the lowest figure in recent history. A total of 44 new members have joined, reflecting continued demand and a strong market position.
There are currently 25 outstanding renewals under review. Additionally, 28 memberships have been frozen, with 11 reactivated, resulting in a net reduction of 17, with expectations that many will return during the season.
The next New Member Golf Day is scheduled for 17 May.
The club has been accredited as an official England Golf Junior Hub. This is a significant achievement, and the diligence and commitment of Steve Hughes and his team to achieve this accreditation represents another step forward for Druids Heath.
5. Health, Safety & Compliance
PAT testing was completed on 25 March, with certification received and minor issues addressed.
Staff fire training and a full fire evacuation drill were completed on 1 April.
The annual Citation audit is scheduled for 2 June.
Two near-miss incidents were reported on the 8th tee, the first of this nature since April 2025. The situation will be reviewed to reassess risk and liability.
6. Decisions, Actions & Next Steps
• Investigation into reconciliation issue to determine root cause and strengthen controls
• Apprenticeship recruitment to proceed with supporting education programme
• Bore hole project financial review to be completed
• Entrance gate motion system upgrade to be implemented
• Meeting to be arranged regarding allocation of social membership income
• Professional retainer proposal to be developed
• Competition formats to be reviewed to improve participation
• Citation audit to take place on 2 June
• New Member Golf Day scheduled for 17 May
CLOSING NOTE
The Board thanks all members for their continued support and engagement. The club enters the new season in a strong position, and further updates will be provided as key initiatives progress.
Chairman, Druids Heath Golf Club
HEADLINES
• Year-end profit delivered despite March loss and one-off costs
• Cash reserves exceed £600k following subscription intake
• Reconciliation issue under investigation to identify root cause
• Strong membership retention with 44 new members recruited
• Apprenticeship programme approved for course development
• Club accredited as an official England Golf Junior Hub
MAIN STORIES
1. Club Operations & Member Experience
Bar closing times were raised following instances where members did not leave at the agreed time. The club has addressed this directly with those involved.
A new sound system has been installed, improving the quality of announcements and events within the clubhouse.
The General Manager reported strong engagement with club facilities, including full utilisation of lockers, all of which have been rented for the new season, generating over £8k in additional revenue. A waiting list is now in place.
The new buggy fleet has arrived and is now in operation.
2. Course & Facilities
The course is reported to be in excellent condition at the start of the new season, with standards meeting expectations.
An apprenticeship position has been approved, combining on-the-job training with a structured three-year education programme. Recruitment will proceed in coordination with the General Manager.
A meeting is scheduled regarding the bore hole project, with financial details to be shared with the Treasurer.
Work continues on course definition following stump grinding, with further guidance to be confirmed with England Golf.
The motion system upgrade for the entrance gates has been approved and will now be implemented.
3. Finance & Governance
The Treasurer presented the year-end accounts, confirming a March loss driven by one-off costs, VAT adjustments and depreciation. Despite this, the club delivered an overall annual profit of approximately £13k.
Cash reserves have increased to over £600k following subscription income, providing a strong financial position at the start of the new season.
A reconciliation issue has been identified. Giving a negative cash discrepancy of £12k over the year. A full evaluation is underway to determine root cause and ensure our control systems prevent recurrence.
Bar gross margin has improved from 46% to 50%, and kitchen gross margin has increased to 58%. However, labour costs have risen significantly, with minimum wage increases accounting for a large proportion of cost growth. The Board acknowledged the ongoing challenge of achieving profitability in food and beverage operations under current conditions.
Discussion took place regarding the allocation of social membership income within financial reporting. A further meeting will be arranged to determine the appropriate approach.
The Glenn Williams tribunal case is scheduled for hearing, with the remaining claim relating to worker rights. The club considers that its obligations have been met.
The professional retainer is under review, with a proposal to be developed following further discussion.
4. Membership & Marketing
Membership renewal levels are strong, with 39 cancellations recorded, the lowest figure in recent history. A total of 44 new members have joined, reflecting continued demand and a strong market position.
There are currently 25 outstanding renewals under review. Additionally, 28 memberships have been frozen, with 11 reactivated, resulting in a net reduction of 17, with expectations that many will return during the season.
The next New Member Golf Day is scheduled for 17 May.
The club has been accredited as an official England Golf Junior Hub. This is a significant achievement, and the diligence and commitment of Steve Hughes and his team to achieve this accreditation represents another step forward for Druids Heath.
5. Health, Safety & Compliance
PAT testing was completed on 25 March, with certification received and minor issues addressed.
Staff fire training and a full fire evacuation drill were completed on 1 April.
The annual Citation audit is scheduled for 2 June.
Two near-miss incidents were reported on the 8th tee, the first of this nature since April 2025. The situation will be reviewed to reassess risk and liability.
6. Decisions, Actions & Next Steps
• Investigation into reconciliation issue to determine root cause and strengthen controls
• Apprenticeship recruitment to proceed with supporting education programme
• Bore hole project financial review to be completed
• Entrance gate motion system upgrade to be implemented
• Meeting to be arranged regarding allocation of social membership income
• Professional retainer proposal to be developed
• Competition formats to be reviewed to improve participation
• Citation audit to take place on 2 June
• New Member Golf Day scheduled for 17 May
CLOSING NOTE
The Board thanks all members for their continued support and engagement. The club enters the new season in a strong position, and further updates will be provided as key initiatives progress.
Chairman, Druids Heath Golf Club