Partners to close on Hallie Golf acquisition

TBL has learned that Lake Hallie Golf, LLC, which includes Donn "Dino" Amunds-on, Bill Bergh and Dave Eisenhuth, are scheduled to close today (Feb.28th) on the purchase of the assets of the 18-hole golf course from Timber Tom's Wonderland, LLC.

"We're not giving up our day jobs," said Bergh, who owns GeoTech, a soil testing firm. "PGA Professional John Rawdon and his assistant Jesse Thompson will manage the golf course operations. John Haug will remain as the head greenskeeper... because, first and foremost, we want to focus on making improvements to the greens, tee boxes and fairways - in that order," he said.

Amundson, who is co-owner of Eau Claire-based Thill, Track & Tractor, will continue working for the heavy equipment dealership; Eisenhuth owns Two Rivers Construction.

Tom Isham, principal owner of Timber Tom's Wonderland, LLC, filed for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 11 of the federal code in July, 2008. The Sharon Severson family held a second mortgage on the golf course and associated assets.

Once both parties signed off on the agreement, U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Thomas Utschig approved the deal last Friday to clear the title to the property. Charter Bank provided financing for the acquisition. There is no second mortgage involved.

"We plan to do some clubhouse remodeling, but our main focus is to improve the course and bring back some of the historical events that Lake Hallie Golf has hosted in the past," said Bergh.TBL