Over the past two and a half months the Board has conducted an extensive recruitment process to identify the Club’s next General Manager. The selection process has been thorough and included both local and international candidates. Throughout, the Board has been steadfast in its determination to identify the candidate best able to lead the Club forward, building on the great platform we have and taking VGC to the next level.

I am very pleased to announce Antonie Els as that candidate. Antonie is a South African citizen with New Zealand permanent residency status and we are currently working through the sponsorship process to facilitate his move to Australia.

Antonie Els

Antonie is currently the General Manager at one of New Zealand’s newer golf courses Windross Farm which opened in 2016. Windross Farm came into being  when the members of Manukau Golf Club sold their existing property and relocated. As General Manager Antonie has been intimately involved in all aspects of establishing and operating Windross Farm, successfully taking the new club from pre-opening stage to a sustainable/profitable business in three years. A highlight was the first ever hosting of an LPGA event in New Zealand with the 2017 LPGA McKayson New Zealand Women’s Open just a year after opening.

Antonie moved to New Zealand from South Africa where he had experience in a range of golfing roles including almost 10 years at the famed Sun City Resort, initially managing golf operations and then as Director of Golf, with responsibility for a diverse workforce across a 36-hole facility including retail, food & beverage, guest services, administration, golf and tennis and the two courses. Antonie was heavily involved in the annual hosting of the Million Dollar Nedbank Challenge during his time at Sun City.

Prior to Sun City Antonie was the Golf Course Manager at the 18 hole private members’ Stellenbosch Golf Club. Antonie also worked as an independent consultant to the golf industry for a period of time, during which he served as tournament director for the Gary Player Invitational at Sun City and provided operational, financial and agronomical guidance to multiple clubs in the Western Cape region of South Africa.

Looking Ahead

Antonie provides the strong management, governance and financial skills that are essential to the role, supported by a track record of exceptional service delivery in different operating environments plus major tournament hosting experience. 

The Board is excited about the prospect of working with Antonie to build on the great platform we have, taking Victoria Golf Club to the next level.

On a personal level, Antonie is married to Liesl who shares Antonie’s excitement about the move to Melbourne.

The target date for Antonie to commence at VGC is Monday July 19, subject to the sponsorship process progressing as anticipated. 

As previously advised, Peter Stackpole will continue as General Manager pending Antonie’s commencement in the role.

Acknowledgements

I acknowledge and thank Directors who have invested significant time and effort in the recruitment process. I also thank Mark Matehaere from EnvoyGolf who’s professional expertise and global reach provided us with the process and importantly a strong and diverse field of candidates.

 

David Brophy

Captain

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