Golf Australia and AICD Launch Governance Program for Club Leaders

Golf Australia has today announced a landmark partnership with the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) to deliver a new governance education initiative aimed at strengthening leadership and strategic capability across the nation’s golf clubs.

The Golf Australia Club Governance Program, developed in collaboration with AICD, is designed to support and empower the thousands of volunteers who are vital to the ongoing success and sustainability of golf in Australia. The program responds directly to findings from the 2024 Australian Golf Industry Paid Workforce Survey, which identified poor board governance and leadership as key concerns for workforce retention. Similarly, the 2024 Australian Golf Clubs and Facilities Survey flagged governance as one of the most critical areas for improvement across clubs.

Through this partnership, golf clubs will gain access to the AICD’s nationally recognised governance expertise. With more than 35 years of experience and over 63,000 education participants in 2024 alone, the AICD brings a proven track record of building governance capability.

The first offering under the new initiative, Governance Essentials for Golf, is now available as a free, self-paced online course. Tailored specifically for the golf industry, the course features seven concise modules that provide practical, relevant guidance on navigating governance responsibilities within the unique context of Australian golf clubs.

With over 11,000 Directors currently volunteering across clubs and facilities nationwide, the program aims to build knowledge, boost confidence, and improve decision-making at all levels of club leadership.

“Volunteers across Australia play an incredibly important role in our game,” said Golf Australia CEO James Sutherland. “We’re committed to supporting clubs and their volunteer administrators to ensure the sport continues to grow and thrive.”

“While participation and membership are on the rise, clubs still face significant challenges. Golf deserves excellence in governance – not only to enhance the member experience but to futureproof our sport for generations to come.”

Sutherland also highlighted the program’s potential to unlock new opportunities: “This initiative is about empowering leaders – whether they’re board members or hands-on volunteers – with the tools and confidence to lead effectively. We’re proud to be working with the AICD to bring a tailored solution to our industry.”

Key outcomes of the program include:

• Building foundational governance knowledge across club leadership.

• Enhancing board decision-making and overall effectiveness.

• Supporting long-term growth and sustainability for golf clubs.

This initiative is part of Golf Australia’s wider strategy to support clubs and facilities through best-practice policy development, leadership training, and access to expert guidance.

In addition to the free online course, AICD will offer a suite of further educational opportunities tailored to the needs of golf clubs.

Special Opportunity for Regional Victorian Clubs
Clubs based in Regional Victorian Local Government Areas (LGAs) can access these additional educational opportunities at no cost, thanks to funding from the Victorian Government’s Department of Sport and Recreation under its Sustainable Volunteer Workforce Program 2024–2027.

To register for the Governance Essentials for Golf program, visit: https://bit.ly/3Fq7DNW