While there has been lots of uncertainty and speculation about who will bid for the Owen Sound Golf and Country Club, the one certainty is that Stone Tree Golf and Fitness Club will be among the bidders.

The cross-town course is currently preparing its bid and Stone Tree director of operations Michael Todd is excited about the possibility of acquiring the 91-year-old club.

Todd believes “the economies of scale” that would come from having one owner operating both golf courses would benefit both the Owen Sound club and Stone Tree.

For example, the clubs could share greenskeeping equipment, golf carts and staff and operate with one management team. They would also have better buying opportunities as a larger operation.

“Fiscally, the two clubs become stronger,” Todd said in an Aug. 16 interview.

The Owen Sound club has been suffering operating losses in recent years and owed the Bank of Montreal at least $1.1 million when it was put into receivership on July 15.

Todd believes Owen Sound can become a viable operation with its existing membership base of less than 400 because of the cost-savings which would be achieved by having one owner operating the two golf courses. However, he also believes there is tremendous potential to grow the membership and increase play at OSGCC.

“We believe we can make it better than it has ever been before,” he said.

Under Stone Tree’s plan for the club, membership fees at Owen Sound would remain about the same but each member would be given free use of the Stone Tree golf course, driving range and fitness centre.

Stone Tree members, who pay lower membership fees than Owen Sound members, would be allowed limited play at OSGCC at a significantly reduced rate.

This arrangement would benefit members at both clubs, especially when tournaments are held and one of the courses is not available for play, Todd noted.

Stone Tree typically has a longer season than Owen Sound and that would be another benefit for OSGCC members.

Overall, Todd believes Stone Tree - with its proven track record of success in operating a local golf course - is the best choice for taking over OSGCC.

“We’re really excited about the opportunity to be a big part of golf in this community,” Todd said. “I’m obviously biased but my personal opinion is that this (Stone Tree buying the club) is the best-case scenario.”

That’s an opinion shared by Denise Reid, a 25-year OSGCC member who believes Stone Tree’s consistent leadership and excellent customer service would help return OSGCC to “the vibrant club it once was.”

She recalls that in 1992 when her husband Brian was OSGCC board president the club had about 750 members and a waiting list. And when her son Jerry joined the junior program in the 1990s there were about 90 young golfers involved.

While membership and the junior program have declined over the years and the club has undergone numerous changes - both in staff and direction, Reid says it has been the course itself that has kept her a member.

“I just love the course,” she said.

The original 9 holes were designed by the legendary Stanley Thompson and during the club’s 90^th Anniversary celebration last summer the course was described by Stanley Thompson Society founder Bill Newton as “one of our national treasures.”

Bert Leeder is another long-time OSGCC member who believes the Stone Tree option is best. “I think Stone Tree’s service orientation would work well at Owen Sound,” said Leeder, who joined the club in 1982 and served as board president in 1990.

He points to the popularity of Stone Tree’s men’s, ladies and couples nights as proof that the club’s focus on service is working. And he would like to see something similar happening at Owen Sound which has experienced a decline in participation in league nights in recent years.

BDO Canada, which has been appointed Receiver, will be accepting bids for the course up until Sept. 2.

BDO Senior Vice-President Bill Courage has said he expects a deal will be made this fall.