With majority support from its membership base, the club submitted an expression of interest in taking over the accommodation business last week.
Deni Golf Club manager Norm Purtill said while there was apprehension from some members, there was overwhelming support from enough to go ahead with the proposal.
‘‘Now we are just waiting on the outcome,’’ he said.
‘‘We see it as a positive move for the club.
‘‘It will allow us to work more strongly in the accommodation sector, and offer suitable stay and play packages for those who come to Deniliquin to use the course.
‘‘There are a number of hotels in the town for sale and we’ve had no interest in them, but with this one being right on our course we can see huge potential.’’
Mr Purtill said due to confidentiality agreements he cannot reveal the bid the club made for the resort.
He said even submitting an EOI is a ‘‘huge deal’’ for the club, which less than 10 years ago was under threat of closure due to financial hardship.
The Deniliquin Golf Club’s board took over management of the club in November 2010 after the club’s operating revenue fell 15 per cent in 12 months.
In the years that followed, staff were made redundant and the clubhouse — which had its opening hours reduced — was manned by volunteers for several years.
Despite the club now earning a profit each financial year, Mr Purtill said this history understandably made some members nervous about the proposed purchase.
But he assured them a due diligence process was completed before taking the proposal to members.
‘‘We do have members expressing a discontent with the move, but others are telling us it is a great idea,’’ Mr Purtill said.
‘‘Some of our members are concerned for the future of golfing and the club itself, in part because of the water situation.
‘‘We have completed a strong analysis, of the business and our position.’’
Mr Purtill said owning the resort would allow the club to better cater for stay and play clients, but said the club was willing to work with whoever is successful in their bid to develop suitable packages.
There was speculation the Deniliquin RSL Club had also put itself in the running to take over the resort, but its chairman Glenn Nethercote confirmed the club has not submitted an EOI.
The Deniliquin Golf Leisure Resort is on the market for only the fourth time in its 40 year history.
It consists of eight motel rooms, five large family units and nine cabins, and boasts a beautiful solar heated pool, outdoor barbecue area and a newly built function room.
There is also a four bedroom designer residence adjacent to the motel, which is situated between the 9th fairway and the forest surrounding the course.
Expressions of interest for the hotel closed on Thursday.