The 2016 MOU to which the Country Club Board of Directors “remain committed to honour” contains a process for notification of concerns and escalation to a dispute with mediation options.
Over the past few months, the FoVGC and its individual members have unsuccessfully attempted to follow this process and engage with the Board and Management in a positive way to ensure the ongoing viability of VGC. At the heart of the concerns and dispute are a number of potential breaches of the MOU. FoVGC are endeavouring to ensure that the Country Club Board honour the MOU with actions not just statements.
In response to the initial dispute letter, the CC initially stated that they do not recognise FoVGC as a party to the MoU. A second dispute letter signed by one of the VGC directors who signed the MOU and backed up by others who were directors at that time was sent. A response was received but the board, through the management, declined to take up the request for a meeting. A third letter was sent, including a detailed submission of the CC’s breaches in complying with the MoU and a request to meet and discuss the breaches. No response to this letter was received.
It is unfortunate that the considerable efforts by FoVGC have either been rejected, dismissed or ridiculed for what appears to be no reason other than our comments do not necessarily agree with SGBCC’s agenda. The failure to be willing to sit down and rationally discuss SGBCC’s failings under the MOU on a “technicality” and then to be simply told that SGBCC has complied, is just another example of SGBCC’s failure to act appropriately.
Breaches of the MOU
Attached is a detailed submission regarding SGBCC’s failure to comply with the MOU that provides detailed information regarding SGBCC’s obligations and why the club has failed to meet them. Ideally, we hope that this will lead to SGBCC fulfilling their obligations under the MOU in a meaningful way.
In essence, this document sets out that SGBCC has been (and continues to be) in serious breach of the MOU as it has:
· failed to maintain appropriate facilities and amenities at the Vincentia premises for dining and food service and private and community functions;
· failed to maintain and revitalise the VCG clubhouse;
· failed to invest in food and catering at the Vincentia premises to attract more patronage;
· failed to promote the game of golf at the Vincentia premises; and
· failed to use all reasonable endeavours to ensure that a valuable amenity is preserved for all into the future.
It is obvious to all that the current scenario whereby the viability and future of VGC is questioned by SGBCC is as a direct result of SGBCC’s extreme neglect of the Vincentia premises. Many believe this was intentional, but irrespective, it is clearly in disregard of its obligations under the MOU. It is more than ironic that SGBCC now purports to be solving a scenario of its own making by selling off a large central piece of land at the Vincentia premises.
