Golf course pressured on outstanding payments

THE Links at Quarry Oaks is behind on lease payments on more than $1 million worth of equipment, and the company that funded those leases wants some action.

Wells Fargo Financial Corp. has filed a statement of claim against the numbered companies behind Quarry Oaks seeking a total of $1.2 million.

But as Ernie Shewchuk, the lawyer representing the Steinbach golf course's owners, said, "Sometimes shots are fired across the bow to get people's attention."

Robin Henderson, the longtime golf pro and general manager at Quarry Oaks, said negotiations are taking place behind the scenes to get the matter resolved.

According to the statement of claim, no payment has been made since the summer of 2010.

Richard Schwartz, the Winnipeg lawyer representing Wells Fargo, said he's heard there are negotiations but hasn't seem any evidence anything has happened.

"My client has no desire to get back used golf equipment," he said. "Hopefully, someone will come up with the money to buy out Wells Fargo or allow Quarry Oaks to refinance."

The statement of claim itemizes a list three pages long of leased equipment for which lease payments have been missed.

The equipment includes more than 100 electric golf carts, several John Deere tractors and mowers and other greens-keeping equipment.

Henderson said a Toronto finance company has acquired the Quarry Oaks mortgage and has made a commitment to Quarry Oaks.

"They have appraised the property and they want to stick by and try to increase the value of the business by purchasing the equipment," Henderson said.

Shewchuk, Quarry Oaks' lawyer, said, "There is some coming together of everyone involved and hopefully it will all get resolved."

martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition February 7, 2012 B5