The Frog’s about to start growling again
Commencing from July 1st, Golf Services Management (GSM Golf) has assumed management of the Growling Frog Golf Course in Melbourne’s North on behalf of the City of Whittlesea.
Upon opening in 2004, Growling Frog has been a mainstay in the Top 100 public golf course rankings and also features a public driving range, wonderful practice facilities along with a busy Restaurant available for lunch seven days a week. Following an open expression of interest process, GSM Golf was selected to oversee the golf operations, driving range, restaurant and course maintenance for the next five years with a further five year option. GSM has also been tasked with progressively improving the venue’s financial situation year on year.
For GSM’s Director Ian Denny and his team, this is the type of undertaking that the group has thrived on in the past having already turned around the fortunes of St Andrews Beach, Bay Views (formerly Rosebud Park) and more recently the Peregian Golf Course on the Sunshine Coast. “We pursued Growling Frog with the understanding that it was going to be a big challenge. But with experience in situations such as this and with the right people in place, it’s a challenge we’re looking forward to taking on head first.” Upon commencing trade on July 1st, GSM has already implemented wholesale change with a new online booking system, website, changes to the golf shop along with a new offering of passes to encourage repeat usage.
Growling Frog acts as a welcomed addition to the GSM stable of courses, which now features five venues in Victoria and another on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. Managing such a strong portfolio of quality venues, GSM has been able to foster a raft of initiatives such as a successful Social Golf Program as well as the popular ‘GSM Golf Club , Golf Ezi and the Partner Pass’ which provide varying green fee and cart discounts at all GSM managed venues. For GSM, these memberships and passes provide a strong proponent of the ‘All Welcome’ philosophy that promotes accessibility and affordability at quality venues.
Now only weeks into the Growling Frog contract, GSM’s appointment reaffirms its place as a highly reputable golf management company with an impressive track record providing excellent golf and hospitality experiences. Down the track, GSM harbors strong ambitions to ensure that the ‘Frog really starts Growling again’. “We definitely recognise there’s a lot of work to be done, but we wouldn’t have taken ‘The Frog’ on if we didn’t think we could make a difference” said Denny.
For more details visit www.growlingfroggolf.com.au or www.gsmgolf.com.au
If you would like more information about Growling Frog, please contact Tom Overman at 0404337246 or email at toverman@gsmgolf.com.au.
