A LANDMARK in Vatuwaqa, outside Suva, the Fiji Golf Club course certainly has a rich history.
The FGC is 108 years old and one of the best places in the Capital City to unwind after a stressful day.
“The fact that it has survived over a hundred years, itself speaks volumes (of FGC) as a sporting club. It is a members only club. Members elect a group of people in their management committee to run the club for them,” club captain Vidhya Lakhan said.
“The club was started by mainly Australians and the British, who were here in the colonial days. They played golf back at home so they started a golf club here.
“I know where the club was situated (location) has changed a number of times. Some of the people tell me it was somewhere in Vatuwaqa, towards Nabua. All I know is this location (Rifle Range) has been here for the past 50-60 years.”
Situated on about 118 acres of state land, the 18-hole golf course has an established clubhouse with membership of about a thousand. There are different categories of membership mainly men, women playing members, country members, social members, junior members and corporate members.
“Active playing members who play here on a weekly basis is hovering around 400,” Lakhan said.
“Annual subs is $300.”
Governance and development of the club were two issues widely discussed during the annual general meeting last month.
Improving the club’s driving range together with capital projects are some of the future plans.
“The club has over 100 acres of land. What are we doing with it? We have plans,” said Lakhan.
“There is an agreement in principle from the previous management committee. Part of the land that we have can be developed to generate funds for the club.
“We are looking at 20-30 apartments. At the corner of Jerusalem and Rifle Range roads there can be a shopping complex, service station and shops.
“We are making use of the clubhouse. We’re in the process of renting upstairs for a high-class Japanese/Korean restaurant and an upmarket coffee bar,” he said.
Lakhan said the constitution of FGC had been amended as well and it would allow for FGC to develop in a positive manner.
“Changing of constitution, the last time was 15 years ago,” he said.
“We took the opportunity to rewrite the constitution. Most of it has been rewritten. We modernised it with a view to make it user-friendly. Also providing identified pathways for committee members and committees in which to operate and administer the club.
“I think the major thing that came out of the last AGM… the situation that existed… the women golfers were being discriminated. They were not allowed to be full members of FGC. They could not contest for any position on the management committee or even nominate candidates for elections.
“So we have done away with that. From first of January next year, all women will become full members of the club and have equal rights. They can run for office and vote in the AGM. Until now this was denied to them.
“We will treat them as equals,” he said.
Several committees have been established to focus on different areas of club operations. These include games committee working on the playing area, the greens and fairways. A finance committee to manage and oversee the financial operation of the club. Each committee has its own terms of reference.
There is also a junior golf committee.
“We have junior category of members. Fixed at U18. They are coached by club professionals and hopefully we produce future golfers for Fiji,” Lakhan said.
“What we are now doing…before there used to be tournaments on ad hoc basis for juniors. Our plans are for this year, the club itself will appoint a chairman of junior golf development. That person will take responsibility of organising golf development for juniors. There will be regular coaching clinics. There will be regular competition for the juniors. Those who excel will be provided high level of training and given the opportunity to take part in district and national competitions. Most probably international competitions as well.”
FCG has its own fair share of challenges.
“We’re trying to make the members realise that this is their club. This is members’ club. The members only. They have to have pride and ownership. Be a little bit more supportive of the club’s events,” Lakhan said.
“It is a major challenge to maintain the course.
“The revenue we collect from membership fee and competition fee does not cover the cost to maintain the course. It’s an 18-hole course. We have a team of 12 groundsmen who are regularly working on the course and the greens,” he said.
