Chapter Four
Locker Room Management and Amenities
The type of amenities you choose depends on the status of your club, the expectations of its manager(s), and the age and expectations of its members. If you are a Locker Room Manager that will be setting up locker room and bathroom facilities from scratch-in other words, ordering all the necessary products-this chapter will save you mountains of time. And even if you've been at the locker room management game for most of your life, my suggestions will likely make your day to day existence at work easier.
First, let me suggest that you get all of your supplies from 'Fore' Supply Company. After going through all the types of amenities that you'll need in this area, it'll be obvious once you see a 'Fore' Supply catalogue that this company has the largest selection of any supplier in the industry. That will become even more apparent when you see the order forms that have already been filled out for you at the end of the chapter.
All you have to know is what your budget allows you to purchase, make your choices, and call in the order or use the fax cover sheet I've included to make your purchases.
And if what I've picked out doesn't quite match your tastes, I've included some blank order forms so that you can buy exactly what your club is looking for. But before I get into all that, let's take a look at what amenities are and what factors at your club will determine the choices you'll make.
Amenity Categories
Amenities are items included in your locker rooms and bathrooms that increase your membership's comfort and convenience. Keep in mind we are talking about men and women here. Generally, amenities fall into several categories and include grooming- such things as combs and brushes and how both are displayed and sanitized. This area also includes disposable razors, shaving creams, hair tonic, hair spray, shampoos and conditioners, gels, body wash, etc.
Another category is personal hygiene, primarily odor prevention and enhancement. Items here include-cologne, after-shave, deodorants, talc or baby powder. Women's hygiene and make up products would fit into this category as do manicure supplies. Also included would be hand soap, mouthwash, and sprays to prevent foot odor or athlete's foot.
Then there are those items that either prevent pain or deal with it after it's arrived. These would be products such as aspirin, Advil, Tylenol, band aides, tape, gauze, cotton balls and cremes to prevent infection, first aid kits, etc. Of course that includes such things as antacids.
There are a whole host of products to help you deal with the outdoors including sun tan lotion, sun block, Solarcaine for sunburn, and insect repellent to name a few.
Though you may think this a stretch, amenities also include bathroom products such as urinal blocks, screens, and even toilet paper. Along these same lines are shower curtains, matting for the floor of the locker room or showers, shower caps, mirrors, hair dryers, etc.
Although you rookie Locker Room Managers might not think items used in a card room qualify as locker room amenities at your club, many do have them in their locker rooms or in the men's grill. Therefore, as part of your job you may be called upon to order cards, dice, dice cups, chips and chip racks. That could even include gin rummy score sheets and card tables.
If you're starting from the ground up you'll also need cleaning supplies including disinfectants, sponges, mops, dusters, furniture polish and a host of other items. And even if you aren't starting from the ground up you still need them. It would do your budget some good to check the prices you pay for cleaning products against 'Fore's.'
Finally, you're going to need to decide on how products are stored and dispensed. This includes everything from hand soap in showers and near sinks to tampons.
The great thing about 'Fore' Supply is they carry all these items and products, and dozens of others I don't have the space to mention. By the way, 'Fore' Supply was started decades ago by a locker room manager. In order to get what he needed he had to drive all over town. To solve the problem he started his own wholesale business to golf clubs. Over the years, 'Fore' added the best in product lines and created its own to meet the demanding needs of thousands of accounts nationwide. Needless to say, I get my supplies from them as well.
If you don't have the latest 'Fore' Supply Company catalogue call (800) 543-5430, and they'll get one right out to you. Be sure and mention that you are requesting a catalogue because this book suggested you do so.
Factors that Determine Amenity Choice
Probably one of the most significant factors in amenity choice is the status of the club. That became evident when I left the Arizona Biltmore Country Club to take the Manager of Shoe and Locker Room Services position at The Country Club at DC Ranch. There is a drastic difference between what a semi-private club used and what was needed at a high-end private club. At the Biltmore we provided combs, hand lotion, hand soap, hair spray, shampoo and conditioner, razors and one brand of shaving cream. That was it.
There's a reason semi-private clubs limit their list of amenities, especially when the club is open to the public. Unfortunately, many of the supplies stocked in their bathrooms and locker rooms get stolen. And I'm told that at some clubs this happens on a regular basis. Especially during the sweltering summer in Arizona when more local people take to the courses when greens fees drop.
If you find yourself in this situation, there's not much you can do except to purchase products that are attached to a display base. The display base itself can then be fastened down ('Fore' has such products). You can also stay vigilant and try to keep an eye on your supplies. One other thing you can do is order supplies that are less expensive during the time of year when locals frequent your course (I'm referring primarily to Arizona, Florida and other states where golf is played all year). Your amenities may still walk out, but at least you didn't pay a whole lot for them and they'll cost you less to replace.
Many semi-private clubs also operate on a limited budget and do not invest a great deal of money in this area.
Private clubs, especially high-end facilities (my definition here is $30,000-$120,000+
per membership), typically provide their members with every possible amenity. Because of the high price tag paid for membership, having numerous brand name products on hand is expected.
In fact, I visited one of the oldest private clubs in the Phoenix metroplex recently and stopped by their bathroom area in the men's locker room. Every possible brand name toiletry item was jammed onto a counter that was about two and a half by six feet. I won't bother to list them all, but they had products in every amenity category covered above and then some.
Another factor that will determine your choice of amenities is the make up and/or expectations of your membership. By that I mean their age and product preferences. Clubs, semi-private or private, who have a significant membership in their 60's and 70's, are going to look for older brand names and products, such as hair tonics. Other than that most clubs can meet the needs of the members by using either 'Fore's' "Club Classic" Line, or other brand names that are well established.
The final factor in determining what amenities to buy depends on your....
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