Stone Tree Golf Club reports turnaround, facility upgrades and youth outreach plans

Stone Tree Golf Club’s general manager told the Killeen City Council on March 4 that the course has shifted from years of budget losses to positive net revenue and outlined planned facility improvements and youth outreach.

Chris Osborne, who identified himself as Stone Tree’s general manager, told the council the course is ‘‘doing great’’ this year and that the club is projecting roughly $60,000 in profit for the current fiscal year after reporting a profit of about $212,000 the prior year. "Instead of losing money like we budgeted, we are actually coming out ahead by over $19,000," Osborne said, adding that the course had been losing nearly $245,000 annually in 2019.

Why it matters: Council members said the turnaround is notable because the golf course had been a recurring budget challenge for the city. Councilmembers asked about membership trends, planned improvements and whether the golf course is carrying operating costs without ongoing city subsidies.

Planned improvements and operations Osborne outlined capital and agronomic work: bunker and irrigation improvements planned to begin in October 2025, clubhouse exterior work (paint, siding and new energy-efficient windows) slated for spring, and recent equipment upgrades such as a new range machine and a replaced irrigation-controller panel. Agronomic practices cited included twice-yearly aeration, regular verticutting and monthly turf treatments. The club also reported trimming trees to increase sunlight on greens.

Community programming and marketing Stone Tree is seeking to grow participation through community marketing, expanded social-media outreach (Osborne said followers rose about 12.6% and post reach exceeded 220,000 last year), and programs for juniors and veterans. Osborne said the club is reestablishing the First Tee program and the Killeen Junior Golf Association, hosting women’s and family golf events and partnering with local schools and PGA Hope for veterans.

Council questions and clarifications Councilmembers asked whether the course was carrying its own costs; staff present confirmed the course’s current operations are self-supporting. Members asked for membership counts and trend data, and Osborne said he would provide membership numbers at a later date. A council member asked about land and controlled-burn plans for cleared land; Osborne said the idea of a controlled burn was under discussion with the Killeen Fire Department but details were not finalized.

Ending Councilmembers lauded Stone Tree’s financial turnaround and ongoing efforts to expand programming and improve facilities. Staff did not request council action during the workshop; the presentation closed with council members asking for follow-up data on memberships and scheduled capital timelines.