Bridport Golf Club cannot remain viable without reducing costs as secretary made redundant and professional's contract terminated

That’s what members have been told – but directors have moved to reassure members and the community that despite ‘ongoing economic pressures’ its future is ‘pretty positive’.

The belt-tightening involves cutting administrative costs by making the secretary redundant and terminating the club professional’s contract.

Letters to members from directors said: “Due to on-going economic pressures, the club has realised that it has to reduce its costs significantly in order to remain a viable operation.

“As you can imagine, there will be a number of difficult decisions to be taken.”

The letters speaks of ‘streamlining’ the administration due to a ‘large deficit”.

The streamlining has involved making the position of club secretary redundant, with Roy Wilson leaving the club after nine years.

Directors told members: “Roy Wilson has served diligently and loyally over the nine years he has been with us. The Board of Directors want to thank Roy on your behalf for his efforts over this time. We are sure you will understand Roy´s personal disappointment over the redundancy of his position.”

The club’s professional, David Parsons, will also be leaving the club.

The secretary’s duties are now being covered by the directors while a planned longer term administration structure is put in place.

It is intended to create a streamlined, lower cost structure that will provide savings and is intended to put the club on a far firmer business footing.

Director of golf, Ken Stead, and director of hospitality, Chris Wren, told the News: “If you look at golf in general, there’s a declining membership and there’s lots of reasons for that.

REASSURING MEMBERS: Ken Stead and Chris Wren

“It’s not cheap to play at a lot of golf clubs, some people like to go and play at other golf courses.

“We need to change our situation to go forward.”

Mr Wren added: “It’s about aligning our resources in the right ways and getting the right structure in place.

“We’ve been here for 125 years and we’re planning for the next 125 years. The future for the club is really pretty positive.”

The letters state that the only option was to examine administrative costs with the secretary and the retention of a professional at the club accounting for more than £75,000 a year.

The club has proposed to combine the secretary’s office and pro-shop in to one reception area where all aspects of the club will be co-ordinated, under the management of a golf reception manager.

The club believes this proposal will deliver the necessary savings in the coming years.

Members made it clear maintenance of the course was their paramount concern and many expressed an unwillingness to pay an increased subscription until the possibilities of cost savings had been thoroughly investigated.

The professional works with the club on a self-employed rolling contract involving a retainer and the club has activated a three month notice of cancellation clause.

Director Andy Dennis has accepted the role of golf reception manager on a one-year contract.

In a statement the board of directors said: “The Bridport and West Dorset Golf Club, currently celebrating their 125th anniversary, has recognised a dramatic reduction in income over several years, in line with the national trend, but costs have, inevitably continued to rise.

“The board of directors have taken steps to ensure the club remains viable and thrives in the future by restructuring the administration of the club.”