As some on here know, during the past year the Erie, Pa. mayor has been determined to sell the Erie CC (an original Tilly 9-hole design expanded to 18) that the city poured several millions of dollars into just a few years ago, to a developer.
Many locals, especially a group of women's league golfers, have been doing everything they can to prevent it.
When it was discovered that the city bought the property with a deed restriction, i.e. that the property may only be used as "a golf course, a park or both" it appeared that they had won.
Unfortunately this mayor is determined to sell and so went to court to see if he could get this covenant removed. meanwhile, despite all of the monies put into the course and the revenues produced that were more than expenditures to operate it, he ordered the course closed.
The case was heard this past week and I was sent this update by one of the ladies who is fighting to "preserve her Tilly":
The closing argument for the city was a redundant speech that only covered the financial situation of the City. Rick Fillippi , our attorney and former mayor, was brilliant ! At least as far as I was concerned. He cited cases in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh that were similar and were specifically ruled in favor of a deed restriction not able to be lifted due to the responsibility of the Trust of that city toward its citizens, etc.
The Judge then got on a cart with an "old-timer" golfer of the club and went over the entire course. When they returned about 40 minutes later, she got her robe back on and stated this: "We saw the small bunch of hills on the "new" number two hole and Frank told me that the green was further ahead so we went on, and on, and on. He stated that this was the longest hole in the city. Then we went on the the new number three and four where there are hills and gullies. This seems to be a very challenging course. Also, I was impressed that it follows the contour of the land. I also saw the wild turkeys, and the hawks overhead. I saw a pond with frogs. Then we went on to the 10 and 11 across the road where there was two small ponds and more frogs, some Canadian geese with their babies following close behind. "
During the hearings, she was very impressed by a statement of one of the witnesses for the course that there was a couple that went to pick blueberries in the woods. She seemed to be impressed by the fact that people were still trying to golf several holes while walking. See, the deed restricts this property as a golf course or a park or both.
She stated that she is still waiting for the transcripts to be completed from the court reporter and will be making a ruling when she has completed reading them.
When that happens ( I really think she is leaning our way), you may hear me hoop and holler all the way from here. But then we don't know what will happen, whether the Mayor will open the course or keep it closed to spite the former mayor.
We will see.
You gotta love these golfers!