[UPDATE, May 31: Lido Golf Club will close for two weeks as Hempstead assumes control of course operations.]
The Town of Hempstead's municipal course at Lido Golf Club could temporarily close right at the start of post-Memorial Day peak season as the town threatens to take control of the facility away from its longtime course operator, Newsday reported Thursday.
Double Eagle Golf, which has operated the popular Lido Beach course since 1997, filed for a temporary restraining order, according to Newsday, that would prevent Hempstead from assuming control of the facility on June 3. Lido would close for two weeks if Hempstead takes over operations next month.
Hempstead and Double Eagle Golf are fighting over several million dollars in disputed repairs, unreimbursed payments and neglected improvements. Newsday's John Asbury summarized the disputes on each side:
The Lido Beach-based Double Eagle Golf is also seeking damages of $1.1 million for previous payments to the town and unreimbursed repairs since superstorm Sandy. Double Eagle is claiming a breach of contract, unjust enrichment and fraud by the town in its lawsuit.
Hempstead Town officials notified Double Eagle president Angelo Belli on March 23 that the town would take control of the golf course. The town refunded a $10,000 security deposit.
Hempstead Town’92s outside counsel, Scarsdale-based attorney Peter Iannace, said Double Eagle never delivered on promises in the contract to make $2.1 million in capital improvements to the golf course, including replacing bridges, irrigation and ADA-compliant bathrooms.
’93Conversely, under Double Eagle’92s management, the facility has deteriorated to the point it is unsafe for its intended purposes,’94 Iannace said in court records. — John Asbury, Newsday, 5/25/2017
According to the Newsday story, Hempstead officials feel the town can operate the Lido course because it already runs the nine-hole Merrick Road Park Golf Course in Merrick.