President Deb Eason and General Manager Kim Gregg on the golf course more, hopefully!
“Corowa Golf Club’s history, members, staff and local community - as well as maximising every possibility for the club moving forward - will be front of mind in every decision myself, the management team and board make.”
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That’s the view of the club’s new General Manager, Kim Gregg, who commenced duty on March 20 and is feeling “both excited and incredibly optimistic about this golf club’s future”.
“In my role at Golf Australia (over 10 years ago) speaking to many clubs Australia-wide with various offerings, I formed the opinion that the traditional golf course component of a golf club is one significant piece of a larger puzzle (offering),” she told The Free Press.
“Other attractions provide a means to create and enhance member value, attract non rusted on golfers and effectively get people through the doors to enjoy the whole club in their runners, on their bikes, in their akubras or suits, or out of their kayak or speed boats – a community hub of sorts.”
Kim said ideas being discussed internally now and in coming months will be based on robust research, collaboration, discussion and planning. “Many will come to fruition. There will be plenty of exciting things unfolding throughout 2023/2024,” she said.
With hundreds of people enjoying Corowa Golf Club on a regular basis, there's a genuine feeling of excitement.
The General Manager is not one to live in the past but The Free Press probed and ascertained Kim was an Australian schoolgirl champion around 1986, Royal Hobart; Australian Foursomes champion 1989, WA; Big Ten Freshman of the year for Ohio State 1989; Metropolitan Division one pennant winners team Woodlands (late 80s) women's section Jack Newton classic Noosa - early 1990s.
A particularly memorable event was the British Open in 1991 at Woburn where she finished 22nd, after being in third position going into the last day.
“As importantly for me off course – the Bachelor of Commerce and MBA - have allowed me the scope to broaden my horizons and thinking,” Kim said.
Bendigo was where Kim learnt her golf, first at Neangar Park, then Bendigo and where she has fond and vivid memories, “mixed in with playing tennis, hockey and badminton”.
The several coaches over the years included original golf lesson and coach Jeff Boyle, Kel Llewelyn, Norman Von Nida, Dale Lynch and Ross Herbert whom she described as “all wonderful coaches whose snippets of their coaching have stuck with me”.
Her lowest handicap was scratch and is now 7.8. Until six months ago she was lucky to play nine holes once every six months and more recently it had been once every fortnight, predominantly at Jubilee Golf Club.
On the job…Corowa Golf Club’s President Deb Eason and General Manager Kim Gregg.
“I may not play a lot in the short term but would love to play with members, sponsors and prospective partners and mates every couple of weeks or so - when time permits. I’ll be settling into the office seat for a while yet,” Kim said.
She loves her new environment at Corowa. “When I walked through the doors on day one I felt welcomed and really comfortable.
“The staff have great attitudes and a genuine care for the club and everyone who walks through the door.
“I want Corowa Golf Club to become an employer of choice and importantly to be a place where staff are happy, fulfilled and proud in the knowledge they’re a vital part of the club now and into the future. Likewise for members and the community to feel connected to the club and value what the club means to them.”
