The former owner of the White Moose Golf course says the decision to donate the facility to the Township of Sioux Narrows/Nestor Falls this spring was an easy one.
"I think the town can use it and, at the same time, I would like to step back and enjoy my life," said Bud Molloy who has owned the White Moose Resort and Golf Course since 1976.
Molloy, a resident of Texas, but still a Toronto-born Canadian citizen, said that after so many years of operating the golf course each summer, his decision to hand the facility over to the town will allow him the time to enjoy other recreational pursuits. He is semi-retired, but still owns a company in Europe and is a consultant for another Japanese-based company in the fiber concrete building materials industry.
"I just think it was the appropriate time for the town to take it over," said Molloy.
The nine-hole golf course, along with the ownership of the 60-acre property, was transferred to the township for the tidy sum of one dollar in early May of this year. Molloy said the decision to donate the facility to the town was made by his entire family including his two sons, two daughters and his ex-wife.
"Something like this that affects the assets of the whole family, I felt it is only right that I discuss it with them," said Molloy. "They have been very positive about this."
Molloy actually approached the Township of Sioux Narrows/Nestor Falls and Mayor Jerry O'Leary back in 2001 with an offer to take over the course shortly after the two towns first amalgamated. The township had a trial run as they operated the course for one season in the summer of 2002 before reaching an agreement this year and taking over ownership of the course permanently.
In spite of some initial differences between both Molloy and the mayor - O'Leary said they had "agreed to disagree" - Molloy credited O'Leary with having the persistence and fortitude to finalize the agreement between both sides.
"He has a vision for the place and it fits into his overall plans for the community," said Molloy.
O'Leary said the agreement was reached due to the efforts of all council members as well as Molloy and his family and he is excited about the positive effects the golf course will have on the vitality of Sioux Narrows/Nestor Falls.
"The White Moose in its current state is a boon to the community," said O'Leary. "It's a great contribution to the economy of the area."
One of the main conditions of the agreement between Molloy and the township is that the property will always maintain the golf course that has stood on the site since 1969 or revert back to its natural state. Molloy, who will continue his ownership and use of his cottage across the bay from the course, stressed that no commercial buildings or new housing developments be built on the property.
"I still love the place and I love the wildlife," said Molloy. "I'm really happy about the town taking it over and preserving its beauty."
Another condition in the agreement is that Molloy is giving the new owners the option, within the next 10 years, for the donation of another 60 acres of land next to the golf course site for the addition of another nine holes.
O'Leary said the development of another nine holes at the facility will be the focus of the township and the steering committee that has been made up of both council and community members to manage the course operations.
"Our main goal we will have to chase is to make the golf course 18 holes," said O'Leary. "That will be our main mission, to chase down the things needed to make that happen."
While Molloy prefers to downplay or deflect any reference to his generosity for his donation to the community, he said he was recently surprised when a local professional fishing guide, who he said does not golf, personally thanked him for his gift to the town.
"That really touched me," said Molloy. "That's what made me realize that we were really doing something special."
Source: Daily Miner & News (Kenora, Ontario)