Hi Dave and Sandra
Creation of a golf society is not too difficult and can be done on a formal basis or informal basis (such as bar golf societies).
Due to the fact that you wish to act in a professional manner i will respond on the basis of a formal society and will give you a few quick tips on the best way to proceed,namely:
1) Determine the level of interest in a society because you will see discounts at courses for parties of 20 or more people.
2) Find a bar,restaurant,golf course or other suitable venue to act as a meeting point and possibly as a sponsor of the society.
3) Create a society constitution and nominate officials for the posts such as Captain,Secretary,Handicapping,Selection,Accounting,Social,etc and determine the period between committee meetings BUT as a minimum have an annual AGM for all society members.
4) Determine what type of society it will be (travelling or fixed at one location or course) and the period between golf society days (weekly or monthly).
5) Determine the annual membership subscription fee (usually between €10 and €20 per annum.
6) Create a bank account for the society.
7) Ensure that members have insurance cover via the Spanish Golf Federation at €60 per annum or that they pay the daily rate on the course as a minimum.
If you have more than 20 players in the society,negotiate directly with the golf courses for discounted green fees and that lets let them know of your existance as a society to prevent the need to pay deposits when block booking tee times.
9) Alternatively and possibly initially use the services of local golf course booking agents to obtain reduced fees which are advertised in local papers and golf stores.
10) Determine the cost to be added to the green fee for the day to pay for prizes (usually between €5- €7 per day).
11) Consider running a raffle or football type draw on the day to add to these funds.
12) Create a number of different categories for golfers of all abilities to give everyone a chance of winning,namely:
e.g. Category 1 Handicap scr to 20 Category 2 Handicap 21 upwards Category 3 Ladies Category 4 Guests (must be sufficient playing on the day).
13) Consider other prizes for nearest the pins on par 3's or longest drives on a nominated hole.
14) Create a hole in one fund by having a contribution of €2 per person which is only topped up when someone has a hole in one when you ask each member for another €2.
15) Make presentations of prizes on the day BUT also consider running knockout matchplay events thoughout the year and have an annual prize presentation and end of season society dinner dance.
Although these are a few brief points or ideas i think that you will quickly see that there is more work involved than you might first have thought and it usually needs a volunteer or leader to take control and ensure that things happen.
I hope that these few pointers help.
Regards
Mike
