A leafy green golf course set to stay in Aspendale after 12 months of strong membership growth

A BEACHSIDE golf club has bucked an industry trend and is on its way to turning a profit.

Rossdale Golf Club’s future is looking bright. L-R vice president Jason Clarke and general manager Andrew Noonan with junior players Toby Hynes and Jorja Azzopardi. Picture: Wayne Taylor

A BEACHSIDE golf club has bucked an industry trend and is on its way to turning a profit.

Rossdale Golf Club general manager Andrew Noonan has told Leader the “air of uncertainty” that surrounded the club 12 months ago no longer existed.

“Rossdale isn’t a golf club struggling anymore,” Mr Noonan said.

He said in the last year more than 80 members across various playing categories had joined the family-oriented club, which experienced a record month of membership and hospitality revenue in June.

A rethink of its junior program, by teaming up with local schools, has seen the club expand, from not being able to field a junior team at all to having youngsters win tournaments in their respective sections.

“I’m a St Bede’s boy from many years ago, so we got in touch with local schools from the area ... and put together a junior scholarship program where kids are now playing golf, getting lessons and hopefully going on to represent the club in pennant teams,” Mr Noonan said.

“We have more than 30 kids now involved at the golf club.”

General manager Andrew Noonan and vice president Jason Clarke with Rossdale’s junior players, Toby Hynes and Jorja Azzopardi, who recently won their respective divisions in Stuart Appleby regional comps. Picture: Wayne Taylor.

Club vice president Jason Clarke, the man behind driving membership growth, said it was no secret golf clubs had struggled as sports like cycling became more popular.

He said Rossdale’s downturn began from the 2011-12 playing season, with the course — which sits on a leafy, green pocket of Aspendale — last year eyed as the ideal site for a community and sporting hub.

But after changing gears, Mr Clarke said the club’s membership had grown by close to 10 per cent in the last playing season and its retention rate “this year has been extraordinary — probably the best we can find in our records”.

“We know there’s a long road ahead for us, but for the first time in a long time, there’s a confidence that the path isn’t too large and it’s possible,” Mr Noonan said.

“If the community gets on board and we continue to make good decisions and provide good services, we’ll be here for a very long time.”

Junior scholarship program details: 9580 1008.