City of Rockwall Press Release: Shores golf course sale off
Press Release Issued by the City of Rockwall on September 3, 2010.
Due to financing and bonding company limitations, Landscapes Unlimited Golf Group has advised the City of Rockwall that they will not be able to purchase The Shores Golf Course from IRI Golf Group, the current owner of The Shores.
Landscapes Unlimited Golf Group owns and operates more than 20 golf courses nationwide. They had reached a preliminary agreement with IRI and Hillcrest Bank on terms for purchasing the course after IRI had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
News that Landscapes Unlimited would not continue to pursue the purchase came as city officials had started working with the company on terms for a lease agreement on that portion of The Shores Golf Course located on land controlled by the City, which includes the back nine holes along with portions of another four.
Hillcrest Bank has filed a motion with the bankruptcy court asking the court to lift the stay that has prohibited its foreclosure on the property owned by IRI Golf Group. At this time, the City does not know the timeline for the court’s action on the motion or a timeline for reopening of the course.
IRI filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy and closed the golf course in July.
City Manager Julie Couch said the City of Rockwall will continue to support the efforts of others to secure reopening of the course as a quality golf facility.
“We will also continue to insure that the areas of the course that are currently maintained by the City will continue to be irrigated, mowed, and maintained,” she added. “The Rockwall City Council remains committed to improving conditions at the course and to get it reopened.”
The Republican Party of Rockwall County announces leadership change
The Executive Committee of the Rockwall County Republican Party elected Tony Fisk to fill the unexpired term of Paul Wilson, after his resignation to spend more time with his family.
Mr. Fisk is currently the President of the Rockwall County Republican’s Men’s Club. It is his intention to step down as the Men’s club president, after calling the Executive Committee of the Men’s club to order next week. The Presidency of the Men’s Club will then be assumed by Brian Williams, currently the club’s vice-president.
Both men are notable leaders in Rockwall County with a long record of service to the community. The Party made the following statement regarding the promotions of both gentlemen. “The Republican Party of Rockwall County is a conservative group of people who are concerned about the expansion of the Federal Government, the constant intrusion of government into our daily lives and the loss of basic rights of individuals; which have been the historical cornerstone of our democracy and economic system. We work at the county level, lend our support to district and state candidates, and promote federal candidates who protect our individual rights. Tony and Brian are great examples of people who believe in limited government and living by the principles of an American work ethic, family values, and protecting individual rights. We are fortunate to have two outstanding leaders like Tony and Brian in our community.”
Rockwall City Council authorizes staff to work with Landscapes Golf Group
The Rockwall City Council has authorized the City of Rockwall staff to work with Landscapes Golf Group on a new lease agreement for the portion of the Shores golf course that is located on land controlled by the city. The Council has authorized the action based on an agreement between Landscapes Unlimited Golf Group, Hillcrest Bank and IRI Golf Group (current owner of The Shores) to transfer ownership of the property from IRI to Landscapes Golf Group. The property includes the golf course, a clubhouse and swimming pool and tennis courts.
“We believe Landscapes Golf Group will provide a professional, well-operated and functional golf course at The Shores, which has been our goal all along,” said Rockwall City Manager Julie Couch. “The council has been committed to improving course conditions and to getting the course reopened. We have every hope that this will be accomplished by Landscapes Golf Group.”
Headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska, Landscapes Unlimited, the parent company, was founded in 1976. They own and/or operate more than 20 golf courses nationwide and also have a construction services division. The company had previously completed work for the City of Rockwall on Shores Park, Boat Ramp Park, Hickory Ridge Park and Emerald Bay Park.
Problems originated between the City and IRI related to upkeep of the golf course on property owned by the City of Dallas and leased to the City of Rockwall, which includes the back nine holes along with portions of another four.
Rockwall city officials cancelled IRI’s lease in May citing numerous ongoing instances of contract breach related to upkeep of the golf course.
In July, IRI filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy and closed the course.
No specifics of the agreement between IRI and Landscapes Golf Group have been released.
“We are very excited about this opportunity with Landscapes Golf Group,” said Mrs. Couch. “We know they are a quality company from past experience, and we look forward to a long and successful relationship with them.”
The Shores Golf Course Files Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
The City of Rockwall Issued this press release on July 13th, 2010.
The Shores golf course located in Rockwall Texas was closed Tuesday, and its owner has filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy, according to Dallas court filings.
Rockwall City Manager Julie Couch said the closing and bankruptcy were unexpected noting that the City has been working with several possible buyers of the course. The City cannot intervene in this situation because it does not own the course, Ms Couch noted, but efforts will continue to find a buyer for the course and country club.
“It is our goal to have a professional, well operated and functional golf course at The Shores,
and the Rockwall City Council has been very committed to improving course conditions,” said Ms. Couch. “We are closely monitoring this situation, and we will continue our efforts to find a buyer for the property. It is hoped that the course will not stay closed for an extended period, however, the City has received no specific timeline from the owner.”
Citing numerous ongoing instances of contract breach, the City recently notified IRI Golf Group that the contract leasing land to them for operation of The Shores Country Club was cancelled. The situation was related to upkeep of the golf course under the Lease Agreement entered into in 2001, which included minimum standards for maintenance of the golf course. That action followed numerous complaints from Shores’ homeowners and golfers about the condition of the golf course.
Ms. Couch said that although the City had terminated the lease with IRI, the city had taken no action that would have caused the closing of the golf course.
Portions of the golf course – primarily the back nine holes – are on land owned by the City of Dallas, who entered into various agreements with the City of Rockwall and the owner of The Shores Country Club making the land available for use as a golf course. The lease agreements regulate nine full holes on the course and portions of another four. The remaining course and the club house and other amenities are on private land owned by the owner/operator of The Shores Country Club. As a result, the City of Rockwall has no ownership in the public land and no oversight over the general business practices of the Shores’ owner.
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