Positive future for Queens Park golf

One of the last bastions of golf’s past has been replaced by a new focus on the future at Queens Park. 

The 104-year-old golf club, situated in the stately surrounds of Invercargill’s prized central park, has been run as two clubs throughout its history - one for the men and another for the ladies. 

The men’s club has effectively been charged with running the men’s game and the maintenance of the club and course, while the women were trusted to run their own game. 

For a long time, that was how golf happened across New Zealand, and across the world. 

Times have changed, but they hadn’t necessarily changed at Queens Park, a strong presence in Southland golf. 

Changing times, however, has been the catalyst for an amalgamation between the men’s and ladies clubs, which is now complete. 

You might think this just about golf catching up with itself, or merely rectifying an anachronistic aspect of a code which holds on hard to its traditions, but it’s more than that. 

What’s really happening here is Queens Park looking to address two of the most significant issues touching most sport today – the twin struggles to attract and retain enough volunteers and players. 

“(Amalgamation) has been considered before, but it hasn’t gone anywhere,” Queens Park ladies president Jo Raines said. 

“Times have changed and there’s not the volunteers out there that there used to be, with the commitment to do anything on a permanent basis. We’ve had duplication with two secretaries, two treasurers and everything else. I can see things running smoothly in the future – what other sport has men and women doing their thing separately?” 

Queens Park will have a committee which oversees the combined club, with small sub-committees fulfilling clearly defined roles. 

Gender balance has been a focus during the establishment of the new governance structure, but Raines can see a future where a balance happens naturally. 

“This will let women have a bit more input in how things are run in the wider club, but we don’t see anything changing for the ordinary golfer.” 

Raines was appreciative of the support provided by Sport Southland community sport manager Steve Gear, who was able to provide independent guidance during the amalgamation process. 

Mens’ president Darryl McGregor said amalgamation had been discussed on and off for the 18 years he had been a member of the club. 

“What drove it to action was a need for the men’s club to restructure its management structure brought on by an increasing number of members not being able to commit to positions on committee under the old structure - too few doing too much. 

“So when looking at a new structure it became obvious that the ladies club needed to be involved in the process as a major part of the restructure will involve growing and developing the club to insure it’s still here in another 100 years.” 

McGregor said the changes should retain the best aspects of the club and take a proactive approach to the future. 

“The major challenge in this process has been to allay fears of our members that what is good about the club won't be lost in the amalgamation process. 

“Benefits from the proposed restructure and amalgamation are quite simple; the survival and growth of the club will be more likely achieved. My vision for the club is that it embraces the many challenges sporting clubs face and has the structures in place to achieve this and hopefully grow at the same time.” 

Golf Southland president Phil McDonald believes the governance change will give Queens Park the opportunity to look ahead positively. 

“It’s probably a long time coming, but it’s getting harder to get volunteers and hopefully this will make it easier. It takes a bit of pressure off the committees and the board can just worry about governance matters and stay away from the operational stuff,” he said. 

“It’s all about growing the game now. One of the committees will be all about funding and playing numbers so we can concentrate on growing membership. It’s time to change the face of golf for those people who don’t have four hours to cruise around a golf course.”