Mayor Nic Carmody took the unusual step of authorising a short term loan of $40,000 to the Yass Golf Club as a matter of urgency between council meetings. He did however seek and receive the endorsement of all Yass Valley councillors prior to signing off on the deal.

The $40,000 will enable the Golf Club to keep trading until annual subscriptions are paid in August. Council papers state the offer of a loan would provide short term assistance to allow the Golf Club Board to develop a long term strategy for survival without the need to close their doors.

Mayor Carmody said the long term viability of the Golf Club was deemed a priority despite the fact most councillors agreed the distribution of such a loan lay outside council’s core business activities.

“We decided the Golf Club is something we would like to see open. There would be nothing worse than if the Yass Golf Club closed.

“It would be a huge loss for the town,” Mayor Carmody said.

The $40,000 loan was secured as a mortgage against the Golf Club land. The Board of the Golf Club expects to repay the loan by October 31, following the receipt of annual subscriptions in August.

President of the Golf Club Peter Doyle said while the club was suffering from an immediate cash flow problem, it is not in any danger of folding.

“The Golf Club is a magnificent facility worth at least $20 million and, apart from this loan, is virtually debt free. The future of the Club is quite sound. We have a temporary cash flow problem and we’ve overcome that with the help of council.”

Mr Doyle said the cash flow problem had been caused by a whole number of factors, including a change in economic conditions.

“The short term ambition of the present board is to provide Yass with a golf course.

“Over the last decade the expenses of the Golf Club have been met, to some extent, by people other than golfers but with the current economic conditions that is not happening.”

Mr Doyle said the Golf Club would have to look at reducing its expenses, building up patronage and encouraging some voluntary labour from members.

“The fellowship within the club is very sound and the goodwill is very high,” Mr Doyle said.

Board Member Ian Lumsden said the key to solving the cash flow problem was “finding better ways of doing things.”

The Board will be conducting a general house meeting of all members on July 28 to consider a recommendation that the Club board be authorised to investigate the possibilities of an amalgamation with Yass Soldier’s Club and the Yass Bowling Club.

The situation faced by the Golf Club is one shared by regional and rural clubs throughout Australia and Mr Lumsden believes an amalgamation presents the best hope of survival.

“We are holding a special meeting on July 28 to give the Board the power to negotiate with the other two clubs in town.

“We have been relying on poker machines for too long and we need to find some other way,” Mr Lumsden said.

Mr Doyle agreed that it would make economic sense for the clubs to join forces.

“There are enormous possibilities but it is a question of finance, co-operation and community involvement.”

General Manager of the Yass Soldier’s Club John Weir said no formal approach from the Yass Golf Club had been made at this stage.