Port calls meeting on golf course fate

Port District commissioners will host a meeting of golfers and those interested in keeping Banks Lake Golf and Country Club open this Thursday, March 8, at 5 p.m. at Pepper Jack’s Bar & Grill in Grand Coulee.

Speaking for the commissioners, Larry Maier stated that golfers who have prepaid memberships and golf cart storage are particularly invited.

Maier said Port District attorney Chris Ries would be there to help answer questions.

The community found out in late February that majority shareholders Russ and Ida Horn planned to turn the course back to the Port District March 31, “if not sooner.” The course was scheduled to open March 1, but the doors to the clubhouse are locked.

The notice stirred the community and Thursday’s meeting is scheduled to let golfers and interested parties know the particulars of the announcement.

Thirty-nine golfers have already prepaid this year’s golf membership and many have also paid cart storage fees in advance. That money apparently was used to pay up left-over bills from last season.

In a letter to the port, the Horns had asked that if the port operates the course this season, it honor those memberships that were paid in advance.

The Port District, which owns the golf course, had leased it to the Horns and other shareholders and their board of directors.

Port District commissioners Orville Scharbach and Larry Maier have not shown any interest in operating the course and had stated that they needed to find another operator or sell the course.

A third commissioner, Stan Conklin, is in Arizona for the winter.

The public is invited to attend Thursday’s meeting.