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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

New Golf Course Owners Looking To Make A Deal

Associated Press

The new owners of Eagle Bend golf course are looking to bail out.

Last February, Bigfork real estate developer Rob Wink and Spokane attorney Doug Edwards pulled off an apparent rescue of the financially troubled golf course.

The two borrowed about $4 million to purchase a majority share from original owner Mike Felt but now face a payment of $1.8 million due Tuesday and another $1 million on Feb. 14.

In August, Wink approached a group of Eagle Bend members, headed by Las Vegas builder and Eagle Bend property owner Hack Holeman, with an offer to sell.

The member group originally organized to buy the course last year. Now, the group is appealing to other Eagle Bend members to collaborate on a buyout.

Holeman said the group is simply interested in preserving the value of the course, its surrounding properties and the lifetime memberships that have been purchased for $12,000 to $17,000 over Eagle Bend’s 16-year history.

Bankruptcy would put a cloud of uncertainty over the course that would probably diminish its prestige and the value of the surrounding properties, Holeman said.

“If a buyout does not take place, it is our belief that the value of your membership will in time become worthless,” the buyers group says in a letter asking for the support of Eagle Bend members.

The group believes a similar devaluation would take place if an outside buyer were to purchase the course, before or after a prolonged bankruptcy process.

Holeman, who owns three lots at Eagle Bend, said he is concerned about preserving his investment and his retirement dream. Profit, he said, is not the motive in the plan.