Here’s a surprise.
After an extensive executive search, Royal Melbourne has found its new general manger ‘just a drive and a wedge away’, so to speak.
What’s more he has been ‘poached’ from rival sandbelt club, Metropolitan, in nearby Oakleigh. RM is situated in Cheltenham.
Not sure what the etiquette is around the ‘poaching’ of a GM from a rival sandbelt club. But the appointment of Michael Burgess certainly has RM captain Tony Rule and the incumbent very excited.
In a letter to members Rule trumpets how pleased RM council is about the appointment.
Since former GM, Damon Lonnie left RM for personal reasons, the dogs have been barking that Burgess was the man the club wanted.
But there was more secrecy around the process than there is when electing a new Pope at the Vatican. There was no white smoke signal emanating from the clubhouse though as is the case when the cardinals have settled on their new leader.
But RM is certainly ‘smoking the cherry’ judging by the tone of Rule’s letter to members.
Newly appointed Royal Melbourne General Manager Michael Burgess.
It would seem the ‘executive search team’ had Burgess top of its list with ‘daylight second.’
“Michael (Burgess) is an experienced leader in the Australian golf industry who is already known to many members.” Rule expressed.
“He is the general manager of The Metropolitan Golf Club and has previously held the general managers’ roles at Sorrento and Cranbourne golf clubs.”
Originally from Edenhope in western Victoria, Burgess holds tertiary qualifications in both Applied Science and Accounting.
“He values strong connections with members through an engaging and hands-on leadership style. He is looking forward to fostering a collaborative team environment, stewarding a strong club culture and member experience, and successfully contributing to the club’s long term strategic objectives,” Rule says.
Burgess and his wife, Jo, live in Mornington with their three young children – the eldest aged five, along with three-year-old twins.
Jo is a former club champion at Metropolitan, and Michael is a two-time club champion at Commonwealth Golf Club where he holds a non-playing membership. Burgess also won the Victorian Mid-Amateur Championship in 2014 and is a playing member at Frankston Golf Club.
Burgess is over the moon about his new job but fulsome in his praise of Metropolitan.
The prestigious Royal Melbourne Golf Club.
“This decision to leave Metro has not been an easy one, as my time at the club has been one of the most rewarding periods of my career,” he began.
“However, the opportunity to take on the role of general manager at Royal Melbourne was simply too significant to pass up. I leave with a deep appreciation for the people and experiences that have made my time at Metro so special.
“I will always look back on my time at Metro with great pride and appreciation for the friendships and experiences I have gained.
“I’m extremely excited about the opportunity to lead Royal Melbourne. It is a world-class club and it is a privilege to have the chance to not only be involved but to lead the club.
“Royal Melbourne’s history is unmatched, but what excites me most is its future. I look forward to working closely with the council, members and the team to ensure we continue to build on its legacy.”
RM thanked interim manager, Peter Stackpole, for guiding the club during the leadership transition.
“Peter’s extensive experience has been invaluable to council since joining us late last year. We are very grateful that Peter will remain in the role of interim general manager until Michael commences his role in May, at which point they will undertake a detailed handover together,” Rule says.
It certainly looks like RM have got their man.
