Golf Importer Seeks Refuge In Bankruptcy Filing Bridgehouse International Is Being Sued By Industry Giant Cobra Golf Inc.

A Spokane importer of golf club components has filed for bankruptcy protection in the face of a lawsuit brought against the company by the second largest maker of premium golf clubs in the United States.

But president Terry Gould said Bridgehouse International Inc. cannot operate, as would normally be the case as a company reorganizes, because there is confusion over which court has jurisdiction over the assets.

Bridgehouse was sued last month in U.S. District Court in San Diego by Cobra Golf Inc., which claims the Spokane company imports golf club heads that infringe on its trademarks.

Cobra obtained a temporary restraining order against Bridgehouse freezing virtually all its assets as well as those of Gould and his wife.

Bridgehouse has countersued, but when its attempt to post a bond that would allow it to continue doing business was frustrated by Cobra, Gould said, he filed the Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition Thursday.

Friday, according to Bridgehouse attorney Ian Ledlin, U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge John Klobucher postponed action on the company filing until a federal judge in San Diego decides whether the district court or bankruptcy court will oversee the company’s assets pending outcome of the litigation.

A hearing could be held as soon as today, he said.

Bridgehouse employs 10 at a Spokane Airport Business Park warehouse, and does about $500,000 a month in business.

Cobra last week reported second-quarter sales of $55.6 million.

, DataTimes