Marleine Coetzee, Manager at Observatory Golf Club
The Observatory Golf Club with its 350 members has a proud tradition: it is one of the few golf clubs that is open 7 days a week.
“In fact, the only day we are closed, is Christmas day,” says the proud manager, Marleine Coetzee.
With her team of women, Marleine has turned the golf club around in the three years since she’s taken over the reigns. “The club had problems: no profit, security was a problem, and eight of the greens were burnt.” These issues were addressed: a security fence was erected around the course with a security company patrolling the area night and day; the greens were fixed at great expense – and the profits started rolling in.
“In 2004 we had a profit of R150 000. For this financial year we are declaring a profit of R58 000 – after we’ve spent R120 000 on improvements such as rebuilding the bunkers, and upgrading lockers and the entertainment area.”
Golf is now in her blood: “I joined the club nearly 5 years ago as a bookkeeper and took up the game soon after that. But I play badly,” she laughs - she boasts a handicap of 36.
Her golf partners are also the team helping her to keep the club on track: Emma Leventhorpe is the Golf administrator, and Angelique Grieve is the Food & Beverage manager.
“We work well as a team – but we’re on the hop,” says Marleine, who still has to find quality time for her 6-year-old identical twins, Jaco and Arno.
And for the Observatory residents who worry about shopping centres appearing on the golf course, she has good news: “The future of the golf course is safe: We’ve signed a 25 year lease with Council in 2001. And nothing can be built on this site, as the golf course was originally built on an ash dump.”
Contact Marleine at the Observatory Golf Club at 648 8402 or 648 5222 (fax) or e-mail her at
