I heard recently that the place is now a public course.

I think thats disgraceful and feel sorry for members such as Mark who have paid their money in good faith.

Mark is there any (legal or other) comeback at all?

I mean what is your status now and do you have any rights at all? And I suppose this means no Clubhouse either.

This is such a shame but I suppose on the bright side for those of us who didnt commit we seemingly can just turn up and play one of the best tracks in the country

So now that its a "private members course with visitor access available 7 days a week subject to tee time availability", what benefit is there to being a member?

And with the 10-round passes, they seem to be encouraging regular play by non-members.

Mark, would you expect the course set-up to change given the prospect of increased green fee play? Would it be for the better or for worse?

How do they expect to sell more memberships now that the "exclusiveness" of the club has been taken away? Will the clubhouse ever get started?

Seems a shame that it is headed this way. I wonder what to golfing neighbors down the road think of it all.

Chris,

There is only the $250 bar levy for shareholders, and you better believe they are enforcing it! I still have $200 or so left on mine for this year.

The number of shares that have been 'allocated' - a term I use because there are quite a number of shares that have been given as contra or very heavily discounted - changes from moment to moment with each person that you speak too.

The last figure I heard was 384.  The $20,000 renounceable shares issued last year account for a little over a hundred of that total, so there has been around 40, maybe 50 shares sold in the three years I have been a member.

However, there are only about 250, I think, playing members or people leasing a share.

Shane,

That's an interesting question.

Since allowing a limited number of non-member access from November 2005, I think some of the more difficult pin positions have been used far less often, although that is only an anecdotal observation.

Depending on the increased numbers, I can see the maintainance suffering a bit - there are already far too many unfilled divot marks for my liking, and perhaps some of the back tees will be closed more often so they don't get too chopped up.

Maybe it will change for the better if they rip out a lot of the overplanting that has been done.

I would be interested to know if the directors honestly believe this will result in more sales.  They, in their foolishness, probably think it will enhance sales, although as it has been noted, there is absolutely no reason whatsoever to buy a $50,000 share.

If you wanted to buy a share,you would go online and get an ABN, then buy a one person corporate share for the Fingal, since, if that ever does get built, it will hardly be noticeably worse than Gunnamatta and may even be better,although I don't think that will be the case. Meanwhile, you get Gunnamatta accessf or $1100 a year. They are perhaps the only shares they may be able to sell.

I imagine National members, being the kind and decent souls that they are, will be praying that everything turns out all right.

And then telling themselves the Ocean course really isn't that bad after all.

Isnt the first nine at San Remo under way? What model of membership are they proposing over there?

Mark, are you saying that a "corporate" membership for Fingal is available and that for an extra $1100 you get full Gunnamatta rights? How much is that corporate deal?

In the mean time I reckon it stinks what has happened and the directors need to provide some sort of explanation to not only those who have stumped up the $50K but anybody else that is relying on their word to put money in.

Mark, the thing that annoys me about St Andrews Beach is the uncertainty that surrounds it. The lack of a clubhouse 2 years after the course opened, the lack of consistency in the membership offerings, the lack of certainty that the place will still be there in 10 years time. Its all a bit confusing to me.

I have been tempted to jump into the corporate shareholding (both on my own and with others) yet at the end of the day I just can't bring myself to get close to signing up when I could not be 100% positive that my investment would be secure.

It is a real shame because I really love the course and would be thrilled to play there on a semi-regular basis. I'm sure there are many others who feel the same way. What are they trying to achieve down there?

Mark,

I may well take advantage of the corporate offering at some stage, however at this time my money is staying in the pocket until things become a bit clearer.

What have the owners actually cummunicated to the members in relation to their new rights? What is the justification behind the changes and have they offered any other short term solutions to the issues raised?

How are the other members down there taking the news? I can't imagine there would be anyone down there who would be very happy with the significant dilution of the membership priviledges which were outlined in the original (and revised) prospectus?

BTW, does the name or word "Gunnamatta" have any translated meaning besides just the name given to the bay or region there?  

It's Aboriginal meaning is 'place of beach and sandhills'

Shane,

Do you mean you want confirmation of something you have heard, or you just have a general inquiry?

Shane,

I don't think it is closed.

A few grounds staff have issues regarding payment of wages, and manned the gates at the weekend in order to inform members of the situation.

Some chose to not play, others went up to the office to give management a serve.

Apparently they "just have to be patient."

The course is open this weekend,just not to the vermin general public - which is as it should be.

They must have pretty loose labor laws in Victoria.  In the states missing payrolls is frowned upon by the Department of Labor.  They would have pad locked the place by now.

Daryl,

Victorians are pussies (a general term of derision, today's football result notwithstanding)

Mark F,
I really feel for you, hope this all comes to a satisfactory conclusion and that this great course is not lost or downgraded.

So what is happening down there Mark?