The income from green fees is more than £10,000 up on what had been forecast, but the club has lost considerably more than that in members who have not renewed their annual subscriptions.
Parkinson believes that in addition to the credit crunch there are other reasons for the large number of resignations.
”I think golf no longer has the pull it used to have,” he says. “There is an ever increasing age in the membership. The average age last year was 60 and new young players are not coming through in the same numbers.”
He believes that among the young ones who might have joined golf clubs there are counter attractions such as health clubs where many would rather go than spend five hours on a game of golf.
“Also golf is not on television like it used to be. I think this is a factor. I don’t think golf has the image it had in the days of Nick Faldo and Seve Ballesteros. We don’t have that kind of superstar that may be seen as a role model.
“In America professional golf struggled a bit when Tiger Woods was not playing. Television coverage dropped. He was the major attraction.”
Parkinson believes some clubs face “serious financial problems” and adds: “I wouldn’t be surprised if some clubs went to the wall, the way things are going.”
For many clubs the end of the year is when new subscription demands go in the post.
With income in decline the temptation must be to increase the amount on the bills sent to members. But the dilemma for club secretaries and club officers is that could accelerate the departure of members.
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