Links for sale? Hillview owners sue former management firm

The owners of a Franklin golf course and club are looking to sell after struggling in the sluggish economy and suing the former management company.

A group of more than 20 members who own shares in Hillview Country Club is discussing selling the private course and club to a company that would take over managing and running the golf course, club and pool, said Fred Paris, who is a shareholder.

The sale is being discussed after the golf course and club ran into financial struggles due to the sluggish economy, an issue golf courses across the country have faced as people cut back on golfing to save money, Paris said.

But Hillview Country Club also was losing money and ended a contract with an Ohio-based management company, Paris said.

According to a lawsuit the club filed, the management company, Tartan Golf and Management Co., took money not yet owed to them and did not pay utility bills, taxes and insurance. A judge ordered the company to pay Hillview more than $314,000 that officials said was owed.

Tartan president Steve Renaker said the company did not take any money not owed to them.

“It really put a pinch on Hillview to lose that kind of money, especially with what all courses are facing in the economy,” Paris said.

In a hearing last week, officials at the club found out that the management company doesn’t have the money to pay what the court ordered, said Jeff Eggers, an attorney hired by Hillview.

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