IF you were running a book on an interim replacement GM at Royal Melbourne, industry ‘gun for hire’ Peter Stackpole would have been a short-priced favourite.
The club has moved swiftly to snap up Stackpole’s services following the recent departure of GM Damon Lonnie for personal reasons. Long term, it is hoped someone of Lonnie’s talent will return to the industry although it is unlikely this will be at Royal Melbourne.
Meanwhile Stackpole, who was GM at RM’s sandbelt neighbour, Victoria and is a 30-year veteran of the industry, decided a few years ago to step away from the day-to-day business of running a club to pursue other interests.
But since he made the move, his phone appears to have been ‘ringing off the hook’, to use an old saying, with Stackpole ‘in-demand’ to say the least and recently working in a variety of interim roles in Victoria, NSW and in New Zealand.
Now he finds himself sitting in the GM’s chair at perhaps the most pre-eminent golf club in the country. It is also possibly Australia’s best-known and highest profile golf destination in the world.
Peter Stackpole will act in an interim role as Royal Melbourne General Manager.
Royal Melbourne appears delighted to have snared Stackpole’s services.
“On behalf of council, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Peter Stackpole as the club’s interim general manager,” club captain, Tony Rule said in a statement to members.
“With 30 years of experience, including 19 years as GM at Victoria Golf Club, and recent interim roles at Yarra Yarra and Manly golf clubs, Peter is well equipped to guide us through this temporary period.
“I have spoken to many people who have attested to Peter’s leadership skills, his integrity and commitment.
“The appointment of Peter will enable our management team to focus on their roles and maintain our high service standards.”
The club has established a working group comprising Rule, club president Prue Holyman and council members Christine Dunn and Tom Hutchinson to search for a new GM. Holyman and Hutchinson have extensive experience in recruitment in their professional careers – Holyman as a human resources manager and Hutchinson as an executive search consultant.
The new GM is expected to be announced within three to six months.