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Risk Management Focus
There are recreational facilities but these often include food services, retails
sales, facility rentals, event hosting and other enterprises as part of the golf
club operations. Additionally, there may be independent third party businesses
operating by agreement with and at the club such as a professional golf shop.
Each of these components have unique exposures such as fires, alcohol-
related accidents, golf cart accidents, lightning strikes, wind and water damage,
being struck by objects or slips, trips and falls.
With this in mind there is no time better to revisit your risk management process,
or establish one if you do not already have one.
One of the best ways to prepare for the year ahead and to ensure that your risk
management process is sound is to make some time to review the experiences
of previous years and reflect on any problems that your club encountered and
the best way to prevent similar events and injuries in 2012.
It would be wise to ask your insurance broker to review and provide you with
a report of your claims history. Have your broker assist you to understand
your own and maybe some of their experiences and outcomes. You may be
surprised by some of the claims that your insurance company has paid on your
behalf.
Many of these claims are preventable! Once you understand them you will be
able to research the broader risks facing golf clubs in general.
Engage your staff, they are your frontline
One of your greatest opportunities is to engage your staff. They provide diverse
experience and skills and many will have delegated responsibilities for specific
operations at your Club. One of the key skills of a good employee is their ability
to find and solve problems before they happen and you should encourage
them to function this way and work closely with you in thinking about potential
risks even before anything happens.
Begin your risk management planning by studying the specific areas where
you have historically had problems and then ask your staff how to best prevent
these issues from occurring again. What have you done to eliminate the risks?
Did you post signs? Have you made plans to re- contour the pathways? Have
there been any new problems since you applied your solution?
By discussing your club grounds and buildings as a group, and walking the
property together you can work as a team to identify areas that may need
your attention. Take careful notes and make a list of potential trouble areas
identified by your team.
These exercises are also a great way to invite ongoing feedback from your
staff. After all, they are your frontline and most likely have many positive ideas
about how you can reduce risks around your club.
Golf Car Operations
Maintenance, general handling and golf cart storage
areas.
Golf Paths
Areas of concern include steep hills, sharp
curves, blind areas, sharp drop-offs and roadway
intersections that could lead to collisions and other
accidents.
Central Alarm Monitoring
Clubhouse; pro-shop; golf club storage areas and
all maintenance buildings should be alarmed and
centrally monitored.
Alcohol Control Policies
Ensure that staff are trained in responsible alcohol
servicing practices and that you comply with legal
requirements for serving alcohol.
Errant Shot Areas & Adjacent Property
Review greens, tees, roadways and parking lots that
are located in danger zones. Neighbouring residential
and business areas and roadways.
Junior Golf
Children can find trouble that you may never imagine.
Look out for golf carts, other vehicle movements, golf
balls and golf clubs.
Non-golfers
Walkers, cyclists, parents, spouses and
accompanying children who are unaccustomed to the
rules of golf and proper etiquette which may be at risk
when on your property.
Severe Weather Communication
Does your course have a Lightning Detection System
and what is your Evacuation Policy in the event of
severe weather?
Slip, Trip & Fall Control
Review and walk the course, practice area, pro shop,
clubhouse and parking lots to identify any potential
risks that should be signed or re-contoured.
Employee Safety
Maintenance workers, golf cart attendants,
greenkeepers, beverage cart workers and pro shop
staff must be regularly briefed on the risks of working
on and around your golf course.
Golf Clubs are increasingly exposed to unusual challenges due to the fact that they not only occupy
large amounts of real estate but they often have several individual business operations functioning at
the one site.
Golf Course Risk Management
Finding the problem before it finds you
Some typical areas for discussion