ONE of the first observations when you meet Rosewood Golf Club secretary Natalie Sutton is her colourful tattoos.
Natalie has about 40 tattoos she has “collected” from journeys to Asia, New Zealand, Thailand, Cambodia and Japan.
The only country where she didn’t get a tattoo during her extensive travels was in China.
However, the images on her body provide an insight into the person Natalie is.
“It’s creative,” she said.
“They all tell a story together. They all interlock.”
That knowledgeable approach is why Natalie has become a valuable acquisition since taking over as club secretary for the first time.
She brings 15 years of business development manager experience in the building industry to her new role.
Natalie sees parallels between her full-time work and duties as club secretary.
“There’s all the admin stuff but also I’ve been doing a lot of work on that business development, like working with the community for sponsors,” she said. “But also creating that relationship … so we’ve been doing that with small businesses in the community and providing support.”
Natalie thanked former club secretary Janelle Browning for her dependable committee service since 2014.
“She did a wonderful job but took on too much,” Natalie said.
That’s why Natalie stepped up with her “golf nut” husband Tony and son Lucas, who also plays.
“Although I don’t play a lot of golf, I said I was a member out here and I have the skill set,” Natalie said, having joined the Rosewood club two years ago.
Natalie said she had settled in quickly since June hoping to be re-elected at next month’s AGM.
The Ipswich born and bred secretary said she appreciated the support of her committee colleagues at the club which celebrated its 70th anniversary last year.
“We’ve had to do a lot of transition because they are predominantly volunteers and they come from the retired community,” she said.
“So, we’ve had to digitise a lot of our processes from years of manual, carbon copy invoices and things like that.
“So, that’s been a big change but everyone has been fantastic embracing those changes.”
Natalie said club captain Maurice Clem and vice-captain Ronan Morgan had been particularly helpful.
Ronan, one of the club’s leading Moreton District Golf Association pennants players, has “done some amazing things” developing new apps to streamline processes.
“It’s not just what I’m doing,” she said.
“It’s really about the whole committee working together.”
Natalie’s husband Tony has introduced electronic screens and leaderboards to help modernise the growing club.
“On competition days, it’s like being at the TAB. Everybody is there watching the leaderboard,” Natalie said.
The Rosewood club has about 425 active members.
“There is a lot [to do] but I’m really keen to get these juniors playing and encourage the ladies [to bolster numbers],” she said.
Living at Bundamba, the former St Mary’s College student has already worked with 39 primary and high schools in the region, receiving positive feedback on the sport and interest in golf clinics.
Natalie hopes to continue more junior development projects among her plans for the future.
“It’s a very friendly, welcoming club,” she said.
“It’s a really great place for beginner golfers. I consider myself a beginner.”
Natalie enjoys a game of golf when she can, playing in some competitions.
She works from home, conducting her meetings on the road.
“I’m an early riser so I can do an hour or so [of golf work] before I start my job and then I’ll do some more work at night,” she said.
She said the club, operating at the venue on Karrabin-Rosewood Road, had immense value in the community.
“When I joined the committee, I put together some projections for them, just to understand how important it is to the community and how important it is that we change from that social club to a business,” she said.
With two retirement villages currently being built in Ipswich, Natalie expected more interest in seniors wanting to enjoy the benefits of golf.
“Golfing is increasing nationally by nine percent a year and we’ve seen a rapid increase in our membership,” she said.
However, she said that also required planning for the future.
“With this increase in foot traffic that we’re going to have, whether it’s social players or visitors or members, it is going to put a lot more wear and tear on our club,” she said.
“So, it’s really important that we work closely with our communities for sponsorships so we can continue to maintain the club.”
While she pursues ongoing change at the club, Natalie understands the importance of club history.
“We still like to honour traditions – that’s golf, really’’ she said.
The club is planning a Social Players Challenge charity event in December in support of the Rural Fire Brigade “Santa on a truck” community service, sponsored by The Rising Sun Hotel.
Away from work, playing golf and adding more travel adventure tattoos, Natalie enjoys live local music.
