Rosetown Golf Club reports strong year, pays down debt

EAGLE STAFF

The Rosetown Golf Club had “a pretty successful year,” president Ryan Wickett said during the group’s annual general meeting on Nov. 20.

“It was the most successful year we had in the last five (years),” Wickett said later. The club experienced steady advancement and is in “a stable position financially,” he said.

A 50-50 draw the club had late in the season had a profit, and the club paid down long-term debt for course renovations and golf carts by about $67,000, Wickett said.

Receipts from greens fees rose by over $28,000, but earnings from memberships fell by over $14,000, the financial report showed. This was the first year in some time without a membership drive incentive, Wickett said, adding that bad weather at the start of the season and less play by seniors could have been other factors.

The club registered large increases in liquor and food receipts, at close to $43,000 and over $35,000 respectively. It had an operating profit of just over $9,000 after a loss of almost $27,000 in 2024.

It also received donations worth over $53,500, grants of over $27,500, and paid almost $16,500 for its sod replacement program, completed last year. It got Canada Jobs grants totalling about $25,000 to help cover wages for six employees, Wickett said.

Its Rainmaker irrigation system became “fully operational” during the year, and 50 dead trees were removed from the grounds last winter, he said. About 35 players took part in the junior program at the start of the season, and all three tournaments the club scheduled were “pretty well attended” and experienced good weather, he said.

A donation by the Stranraer Elks allowed the club to buy and install tarps to cover two greens, with two more to arrive next year. More fertilization, overseeding, irrigation repairs and disease control, along with efforts by the grounds crew, helped make the course “a true gem,” Wickett said.

He also expressed appreciation to clubhouse manager Ange Wingert, who, with her staff, “made for a welcoming clubhouse experience for the whole season,” as well as to board members for their help.

The financial report didn’t reflect the role of volunteers, Wickett noted.

“These small-town courses take a lot of help, and we’ve got a lot of people who do a lot of unsung things here, helping out,” he said, expressing appreciation to them plus the grounds crew and clubhouse staff “whose commitment has significantly elevated the quality of our facilities,” he said.

Members saw a survey of comparable fees from other courses before adopting a new fee schedule with increases of $101 for couples, $25 or $30 per year in some other categories, and a new membership rate for seniors.

They also returned Henry Pretorius, Jordie Johnston, Derek Cordes, Darren Shynkaruk and Blake Lefaivre to the board of directors, and added Colby Doetzel, Rio Mahon and Morgan Sparks.