Page 31 - KZN Top Business Portfolio - EBOOK 2019

General Manager at Durban Country Club Gary attributes his success to three things: honesty,
integrity and hard work. “I’m also a good listener,
ARY GEDDES relocated from Johannesburg which is useful in club management. Members have
to take up the position as General Manager strong opinions about the club, and I listen to what
at Durban Country Club in March 2018. A they have to say. I may not be able to satisfy their
GQuantity Surveyor by profession, Gary has every request, but their input gives me insight into
always been involved in golf. After 35 years of playing what matters to our members.”
the sport, he was Golf Captain, then Chairman of his As Durban Country Club heads towards its
club on the West Rand in Gauteng. The club needed a centenary, Gary’s vision is to celebrate this milestone
strong General Manager, and when challenges arose, from a position of strength. “We aim to build the club
he accepted the request to manage the entire club on to regain its rightful place in Durban society, providing
a full-time basis. the best leisure experience for our members.”
Never one to shy away from a challenge, Gary In addition to his role at Durban Country Club, Gary
moved out of the building environment and into is also Chairman of the Club Management Association
club management, turning his passion into a full- of South Africa. He is enormously proud of the work
time occupation. He did this for six years before the Association does, particularly in the education of
moving to KwaZulu-Natal. people wanting to work in the golf industry.
“Durban Country Club is the Grand Old Lady,” says There are several training programmes, including the
Gary. “It is a remarkable facility and has a significant prestigious Certified Club Manager programme, which
history. It is an outstanding club and it really used to he believes offers enormous value in building the
be the place where everyone wanted to be. It’s time careers of young and inexperienced club managers.
to get back to that.” When asked about his philosophy for success, Gary
Asked what drives him, Gary points out that smiles and announces that his motto stems from
although there are many challenges at managing golf his junior school days: Persevere and succeed. This
clubs, he is passionate about what he does, about mantra was emblazoned on his school blazer and
golf, and about Durban Country Club in particular. “I school bag, and on his memory. “Life is not always
enjoy bringing all those elements together to make it easy, and work challenges are inevitable, but the
happen, to build a successful club.” willingness to dig deep and not give up is vital for any
kind of success.”
Gary strongly believes that staff are critical to the
success of any organisation, and particularly so in Gary admits that it is not always easy to disconnect
the hospitality industry. “Staff are the vital key to from work, but he has recently taken up walking
keeping the customer happy. We have a staff of along the Umhlanga Promenade with his wife. He
138, and it is my job to motivate them and keep has always loved sport and he and his wife are both
them engaged and enthusiastic. Because, after all, keen golfers and sports fans.
Durban Country Club is all about the members. “I have no doubt that success is about the whole,
“It’s their entertainment, their free time,” says Gary, and not just about work. A successful family life helps
“and we need to ensure that we make their lives bring happiness to many aspects of your life, and it’s
more enjoyable.” important to nurture that.”

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