An open house is planned at Legacy Ridge Golf Club in Owen Sound for next Wednesday December 16th.
It begins at 7 PM and will focus on membership fees and special packages under the new ownership.
Along with that information there will be an opportunity to ask questions.
As we told you first on Bayshore Broadcasting News — Legacy Ridge is being sold to three local businessmen, Michael Todd, Marc Brooks and Bert Leeder.
The deal closes on January 18th, but a sale price has not been disclosed.
Future Co-owner Michael Todd says at this point nothing major is planned in the way of changes at the golf course.
He says a lot of that work was done after Balnar Management took over the course in 2012.
While Legacy Ridge lives on, Stone Tree is closed as a golf course and some 23 full and part time staff will be out of a job by January 1st.
Todd says some of the laid off workers at Stone Tree, might find work at Legacy Ridge in the new year.
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Plans Underway for a Sustainable, Long-Term Operation
OWEN SOUND, ON, December 9, 2015 In a bid to protect a longtime summer tradition and ensure the longevity of one of Owen Sounds most historic sporting institutions, a group of three local men are proud to announce their ownership of Legacy Ridge Golf Club.
Led by Michael Todd, a veteran golf professional and former operations director for both Legacy Ridge and Stone Tree Golf and Fitness Club, the group, which includes Course Superintendent Marc Brooks and local businessman Bert Leeder, formed in hopes of smoothing a dramatic shift in the local golf landscape. Guelph-based Balnar Golf, the company that launched Stone Tree in 1993 and purchased Legacy Ridge in 2012, announced Tuesday it will immediately and permanently withdraw from the golf
industry.
While Todd, Brooks and Leeder wont officially take possession of Legacy Ridge until the sale closes January 18th, the trio plans to release information related to membership fees and special packages at an open meeting next Wednesday, Dec. 16, at 7 p.m. at Legacy Ridge. They will also speak to attendees about their vision for the Club.
Legacy Ridge has been a backdrop for generations of Owen Sounders who have built friendships, family memories and deepened their love of the game here. We want to ensure that tradition continues, said Todd, who worked for Balnar for 16 years. Ive built a lot of great relationships here and learned how to build a great team of people. Its sad to see that era draw to a close, Todd said, adding: But I always like to look to the future. Im excited to turn the page we have the best interest of everybody in mind
and intend to be part of the solution.
That will include building a healthy operation designed to operate sustainably for years to come. We are all about constant improvement Im excited about what weve done here so far at Legacy Ridge and what we will do, said Brooks, a 30-year veteran of his specialty.
However, both he and Todd expressed mixed emotions at parting ways with their former employer. The Balnars are the best people Ive ever worked for, said Brooks. Im certainly going to miss that working relationship.
For Leeder, who will serve mainly as an advisor to the group, Balnars exit presents an opportunity to help ensure the longevity of a golf course he has enjoyed for more than 30 years. I have 15 or 20 years left of being able to play good golf. I want to ensure that I can continue to play those out at Legacy Ridge and that my family can as well, he said.
Legacy Ridge, formerly the Owen Sound Golf and Country Club, was designed by Stanley Thompson and opened for play in 1921 as a semi-private club. The course was expanded from nine to 18 holes in 1975. The club was put into receivership in 2011 and purchased by Balnar Golf in 2012. In addition to rebranding the historic course, the company made several upgrades to the property, ranging from clubhouse design and plumbing to on-course improvements.
Michael Todd is a native of St. Thomas, Ontario, where he started his career at the St. Thomas Golf and Country Club. He joined Balnar Golf in 1999, relocating to Owen Sound with his family. He spent eight years as the lead golf professional at Stone Tree before taking over as director of operations. He has managed both clubs since 2012 and is a member of the Professional Golf Association of Canada.
Marc Brooks has been a golf course superintendent for 30 years. He also lives in Owen Sound. He is a Master Superintendent accredited with the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association. Brooks was also instrumental in winning Stone Tree designation as a Certified Audubon CooperativeSanctuary.
Bert Leeder has spent more than 30 years living and working in Owen Sound, first as a chartered accountant and more recently as an investment advisor. He has lent support to numerous community projects, from hospital fundraising to the recreation centre. He has been a member at Legacy Ridge since 1982.
