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<\/p>\nPerched atop Perth\u2019s iconic Cottesloe Beach sits Sea View Golf Club. A true links, Sea View offers sweeping views across the azure blue waters of the Indian Ocean towards Rottnest.<\/p>\n
Despite commanding a prime location in one of Perth\u2019s most exclusive suburbs, Sea View Golf Club had seen a steady decline in membership numbers across recent years.<\/p>\n
Declining membership isn\u2019t an issue unique to Sea View, but the club was feeling the full impact of this negative trend.<\/p>\n
For new golfers, walking into a private golf club can be an intimidating and nerve-wracking experience. After all, golf is a sport with strong traditions and a quirky set of rules and etiquette.<\/p>\n
Getting new people through the doors can be one of the biggest challenges that a golf club faces.<\/p>\n
Sea View Head Professional, Tristan McCallum knew that the club needed to take action to help arrest the decline in membership numbers.<\/p>\n
Tristan recognised this issue and set about smashing down the barriers that turn prospective members away.<\/p>\n
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Sea View\u2019s first membership drive in 2018 offered women a 5-week beginner course for $99. On top of this, they also offered each participant in the course a free three-month trial membership.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis program proved to be an instant hit with 54 ladies signing up to the initial clinics and trial membership,\u201d Tristan said.<\/p>\n
This initiative proved popular as it helped to breakdown many barriers that had previously stopped these women from taking up golf membership.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe ladies enjoyed the group sessions because it allowed them to instantly connect with other like-minded golfers and reduced some of the fear of joining a golf club,\u201d Tristan noted.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere was no fear of judgement or embarrassment if someone accidentally had a windy or duffed a chip.\u201d<\/p>\n
From the original group of 54 ladies that participated in the 5-week clinics, 36 took up full membership at the end of their 3-month trial membership.<\/p>\n
Sea View have repeated the ladies\u2019 membership drive in 2019 which saw 52 women sign up for the clinics and trial membership.<\/p>\n
A few years ago, the club would struggle to get 10-12 women playing in their mid-week competitions. As a result of the membership drive the club now regularly sees in excess of 30 women teeing it up.<\/p>\n
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The ladies\u2019 membership drive was so successful that Sea View has just launched a similar initiative targeted at new male members.<\/p>\n
The new men\u2019s lesson and membership offer includes six individual lessons for the price of five and free membership from October until the end of December.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are currently sitting at 44 new male members having one on one lessons with Andrew and I and they all commence their free trial membership next week on the 1st<\/sup>.\u201d<\/p>\n Tristan\u2019s fellow PGA Pro, Andrew Marchbank is also kicking goals with his \u2018Time Poor Dads\u2019 initiative that encourages like-minded men to come together to enjoy a hit of golf in a relaxed setting.<\/p>\n Time Poor Dads offers on-course coaching, a chat, a few laughs and a beer in the clubhouse afterwards whilst Andrew conducts a short Q&A session.<\/p>\n Not content with the success that they have had so far, Sea View is hosting a WA Golf Foundation-funded Family Open Day this Sunday, September 29 from 1-5 pm.<\/p>\n Long drive competitions, chipping challenges, kids\u2019 activities and free golf lessons will be on offer across the day. The club will even be offering free memberships as prizes.<\/p>\n Designed to attract the entire family, Sea View\u2019s Family Open Day is just another way that the club is breaking down barriers and opening its doors to new members.<\/p>\n The success of Sea View\u2019s membership initiatives proves that if you\u2019re willing to break the mould, willing to think outside the box and willing to take a risk then there are serious benefits to be reaped.<\/p>\n By opening their doors and incentivising people to give their golf course a try, Sea View is now seeing a resurgence in membership numbers.<\/p>\n After all, it\u2019s hard to beat sitting in the clubhouse looking out across Sea View\u2019s rolling fairways to the blue waters of the Indian Ocean beyond.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"