Bankruptcy may sink golf course operator

WALLA WALLA — The city is on a path to parting ways with its municipal golf course operator after months of delinquent rent, utility and other payments, officials say. #After a more-than-15-year partnership at Veterans Memorial Golf Course, city officials say they are on course for a split with operator We-Man Vets Golf Inc., which filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization Feb. 21. #City Attorney Tim Donaldson said the golf course continues to operate through the turmoil and won’t be in danger of closing. #“We’ve had a lot of concern from golfers,” he said. “We have to basically proceed through the bankruptcy.” #In the meantime, he said, season passes will be honored by the operator, as well as the city. #We-Man President and golf pro Nick Manolopoulos did not return a telephone call for comment. #According to Donaldson, the city’s lease with We-Man at the 18-hole course, 201 E. Rees Ave., expires at the end of 2013. #However, by the end of 2012, Manolopoulos had failed to make quarterly lease payments for the third and fourth quarter. The city gave notice that it planned to terminate the lease early — Feb. 21 — unless the lease payments were made. That day We-Man filed for bankruptcy protection. #The filing essentially stops the early termination while the financial proceedings take place through bankruptcy court. Should that, for any reason, run beyond the term of the contract, the filing will not extend the lease beyond its existing term. Read the rest of the article at http://union-bulletin.com/news/2013/mar/16/bankruptcy-may-sink-golf-course-operator/