Indian Canyon GC will close its front nine in mid-September to begin a major irrigation project that is expected to increase watering efficiency by 30 percent, and three other courses are in line for similar projects. The total expenditure of $7.5 million will be funded by small greens-fee increases designed to pay back loans from…
Sun Dance GC Announces Permanent Closing
The Nine Mile Falls, Wash. property opened in 1963 and had become known as one of the Spokane, Wash. area’s hidden gems. It was owned by the Johnston-Jones family until 2017, when it was sold to developer Brad West for $1.7 million. West and a partner said maintaining Sun Dance as a golf course is…
Indian Canyon GC Could Add Cross-Country Skiing Trails
The Spokane (Wash.) Park Board will consider a proposal to create two cross-country skiing trails that would be groomed by park staff. If approved, the proposal would serve as a pilot program to see if the city’s golf courses can be open during winter. On December 14, the Spokane (Wash.) Park Board will consider a…
The Spokane Club Selects KemperSports as Management Firm
The 127-year-old club in Spokane, Wash. has two locations, with a downtown clubhouse with 43 hotel rooms and an adjacent fitness facility, and the Valley Spokane Club, which offers indoor and outdoor tennis, bocce, volleyball and an indoor pool.
Downriver GC Starts Honeybee Restoration Program
The Spokane, Wash. course has transformed a little over an acre into a foraging area for pollinators, and expects to have wildflowers, a tomato garden and a pumpkin patch become permanent features of its sixth and 16th holes. The club has also reduced pesticide usage by 60 percent through use of a “compost tea” that combats a common grass fungus.
City Shuts Off Water to The Fairways GC Amid Dispute
Spokane, Wash., officials said the water shouldn’t have been on for the Cheney, Wash., golf course because it was shut down last year as a result of unpaid bills as part of a years-long rate dispute. As a result, the golf course’s professional said it may have to cease operations within days.
The Seattle Times Reports on Reverberating Effects of “The Spokane Case”
The gender-discrimination lawsuit that ultimately closed the doors of Spokane (Wash.) Country Club has prompted a behind-closed-doors review of policies at private clubs in the Northwest, in which clubs are evaluating how private they are. Some facilities no longer allow outside weddings or charity events, or allow their courses to be used by high school teams in an effort to maintain their private status and avoid discrimination lawsuits.
Kalispel G&CC Restaurant To Open to Public
The new 1898 gastro pub will be the “gem” of the improvements being made by the Kalispel tribe for the former Spokane Country Club, which it bought out of bankruptcy in 2013 after the 118-year-old private club lost a gender discrimination lawsuit.
Kalispel Tribe Begins Renovating Former Spokane (Wash.) CC
Now named Kalispel Golf and Country Club, the property will add two new golf simulators for year-round appeal, upgrade food-and-beverage offerings, and add state-of-the-art golf carts with GPS and USB ports. The historic golf course will not be altered.
Kalispel Tribe Buys, Renames Spokane (Wash.) CC
The club, which dates back to 1898, will now be known as Kalispel Golf and Country Club, with a new logo that features a frog, which, in Indian culture, “represents transformation, renewal and rebirth. It’s proof of health and balance in any ecosystem.” A gastropub, golf simulators, and fitness center updates are also planned.
Spokane (Wash.) CC to be Renamed, Open to Public Play
The Kalispel Tribe bought the club for $3 million and will change the name to Kalispel Golf and Country Club, with plans to offer a few tee times each day to the public. The club believes it will be able to retain about 200 of the former club’s 260 memberships.
Group Requests $4M from City to Improve Indian Canyon GC
Friends of Indian Canyon Golf Course says it will match the city’s contribution with $2 million of its own to improve the 80-year-old Spokane, Wash., golf course, and bring national golf events to the city. The group plans to modernize the golf course, clubhouse, and irrigation system, and possibly build a new events center.
Lessons to Unlearn
I suspect there are many clubs that could have been sued—and maybe still could be—over the same issues that were brought up in this case: unequal levels of service, preferential treatment, crude behavior, etc.
Kalispel Tribe Poised to Buy Spokane (Wash.) CC in “Last-Minute Deal”
The tribe’s offer for the club includes $3 million for all assets, plus extra money for closing costs, the absorption of some future liabilities, and a provision to end the years-long legal battle with four female members who won a discrimination complaint against the club and are owed $1.9 million.
Bidding Begins for Spokane (Wash.) CC
Four business entities have offered bids for the 117-year-old club as part of a bankruptcy settlement. A company headed by Phil Mickelson made the lowest bid and is the preferred buyer among the membership, but its bid sets conditions for member commitments that may not be met. The Kalispel Tribe, which would fold the course and amenities into its resort and casino operations, is also among the potential buyers.