Residents of the Trilogy community in La Quinta, California, are taking matters into their own hands by purchasing a closed golf course and adjoining restaurant. The homeowners from the Trilogy at La Quinta Maintenance Association voted overwhelmingly in favor of the $6.17 million purchase, along with funds for course upgrades and facility renovations. Approximately 88 percent of the voters supported the move, putting an end to the uncertainty surrounding the future of the golf course.
Previous Bankruptcy Proceedings
The Coral Mountain Golf Club, as it was known, had been closed since September 2022 due to bankruptcy proceedings faced by the previous owner. The restaurant on the property was also shuttered in the same year. Mark Reider, president of the TLQMA board of directors, described the course as being in extremely rough shape. However, the community is eager to restore it to its former glory when it hosted the PGA Skins Game from 2003 to 2006, featuring golf legends Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson.
Legal Troubles and Ownership
In recent years, the Trilogy golf course has been entangled in legal troubles. The property has multiple owners, with one individual named Thomas Brown being linked to some parts of the course. Brown partnered with investor Richard Cushman in 2015 to purchase the Coral Mountain Golf Club. Disputes arose over certain transactions, leading to a lengthy legal battle. Ultimately, a bankruptcy case for the company concluded in late 2023.
Another company owned by Brown, TTBGM Inc., owned the course’s restaurant and other facilities. This company filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2020, initiating further legal proceedings. Byline Bank, the property’s largest creditor, loaned $4.9 million against the property in 2017. The legal fate of the TTBGM property was resolved in late 2023 when a judge ordered the bankruptcy trustee to sell the land to Trilogy at La Quinta Maintenance Association.
Purchase and Renovations
Despite the complex legal situation, the Coral Mountain Golf Course remained open to the public until September 2022. The community decided to pursue the purchase in the spring of 2023 after the facilities were closed. They hired a legal team to navigate the bankruptcy proceedings and negotiate purchase prices with the bankruptcy trustees. After interviewing several golf course operators, the board selected BlueStar Resort and Golf, the original operator of the course under its previous ownership.
The TLQMA board aims to have the renovated course and restaurant open by November. However, they still need to obtain building permits and handle other logistical matters. The purchase and renovations will be funded through HOA fees and a special assessment for maintenance costs. The community is excited about the prospect of playing on the restored course and welcoming golf enthusiasts from both within and outside the community.
The residents of Trilogy at La Quinta have demonstrated unity and determination in purchasing and reopening their beloved golf course. They look forward to reclaiming control of their own destiny and enjoying the benefits of a revitalized community asset.
By: Tom Coulter
Title: Residents Purchase and Reopen Closed Golf Course in La Quinta
Sourced From: golfweek.usatoday.com/2024/01/24/residents-will-take-back-control-buy-reopen-closed-golf-course-california-coral-mountain/
Published Date: Wed, 24 Jan 2024 19:30:45 +0000
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