According to Statista, the golf and country club industry topped $22-billion in 2014. Numbers of new golf and country clubs has stagnated in recent years, and the number of golfers in the U.S. dropped by almost one-fifth from 2003 to 2013, according to the National Golf Foundation. Country clubs and golf clubs have had to adapt with lower fees, more offers for families, opening gyms and other incentives to attract business. However, there is no denying that there continues to be an allure for many Americans in becoming a member of a golf or country club. They are still perceived to be the epitome of success and a leisure lifestyle.
As with any businesses today, golf and country clubs have security risks, some of them general to all businesses, some of them specific to their industry. General security risks include those of theft and pilfering of club property and items, some of which can be quite expensive to replace, as well as stolen items from members and guests in change rooms, club bars and other venues on their premises. Risks specific to this industry can include unpaid guests, which can be problematic to control given the size of some of these establishments, as well as misuse or vandalism of club items of property of monetary value or even heritage value. Discretion is an important bedrock of many of the older or more prestigious golf or country clubs, which in itself can undermine attempts to enforce security plans and measures.
OSP can step in and offer golf and country club owners and management teams security solutions that could include:
- a fully integrated security risk assessment for the golf or country club
- considerations regarding the size and location of the club
- typical demographics of club members and visitors
- surveillance / CCTV / motion sensor and other allied capabilities and needs in the club proper, including the lobby or entrance area, general walkways and corridors, restaurants, bars, shops and other similar spaces that may be located within the hotel, golfing greens, gyms, pools and cabanas, etc.
- access controls into the club, both during opening hours and after hours
- burglary potential gap analysis
- security gaps and needs analysis for the club and all areas thereof
- security in parking areas and parking lots
- security personnel profiling / hiring / vetting
- training of club staff with regard to security issues and policies
- internal investigation policies and procedures by club management, especially with regard to petty, non-violent incidents, whether with employees, contractors, club members or visitors
- reputation, club rules and security analysis
In an industry having to adapt to changing habits and preferences, golf and country clubs cannot rely solely on reputation and the appeal of exclusivity. These establishments, however genteel and supposedly safe and secure, cannot afford to be complacent about security issues on their premises. Security management must be taken into due consideration, as would be expected of any establishment today that is considered exclusive or expensive.
OSP’s commitment to any golf or country club is that we will provide our esteemed clients with security solutions that are customer-oriented and customized to suit the club’s needs – and do so discreetly. The safety and security of a club, including its staff, members and visitors, is our objective. It is what drives the excellent service that we offer. This approach and philosophy is what OSP stands for. It is what we do – and we do so with pride and conviction.