Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

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COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Litigation — The Company is and may become, from time to time, involved in legal actions in the ordinary course of business, including governmental and administrative investigations, inquiries and proceedings concerning employment, labor, environmental and other claims. Although management is unable to predict with certainty the eventual outcome of any legal action, management believes the ultimate liability arising from such actions, individually and in the aggregate, which existed at December 31, 2017, will not materially affect the Company’s consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flow. Given the inherent unpredictability of these types of proceedings, however, it is possible that future adverse outcomes could have a material effect on our financial results.
Environmental Costs As a commercial real estate owner, the Company is subject to potential environmental costs. At December 31, 2017, management of the Company is not aware of any environmental concerns that would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.
Debt Covenants The Company’s debt obligations contain various customary loan covenants, including certain coverage ratios. See Note 7.
Operating lease obligations, Traditional and Entertainment Golf Traditional Golf leases many of its golf courses and related facilities under long-term operating leases, including triple net leases. In addition to minimum payments, certain leases require the payment of the excess of various percentages of gross revenue or net operating income over the minimum rental payments. The triple net leases require the payment of taxes assessed against the leased property and the cost of insurance and maintenance. The majority of the lease terms range from 10 to 20 years and, typically, the leases contain renewal options. Certain leases include minimum scheduled increases in rental payments at various times during the term of the lease. These scheduled rent increases are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease, resulting in an accrual, which is included in other current liabilities and other liabilities, for the amount by which the cumulative straight-line rent exceeds the contractual cash rent.
Traditional Golf is required to maintain bonds under certain third-party agreements, as requested by certain utility providers, and under the rules and regulations of licensing authorities and other governmental agencies. The Golf business had bonds outstanding of approximately $0.9 million as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016.

Traditional Golf leases certain golf carts and equipment under operating leases that range from one to three years. Rental expenses recorded under operating leases for carts and equipment were $3.0 million, $3.8 million and $4.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Traditional Golf has five month-to-month property leases which are cancellable by the parties with 30 days written notice. Traditional Golf also has various month-to-month operating leases for carts and equipment. The aggregate monthly expense of these leases was $0.5 million.

Entertainment Golf enters into ground leases for construction of new venues, which are operating leases. In 2016, the Company entered into a ground lease in Orlando, Florida. During June 2017, the Company committed to the lease as there were no remaining material contingencies under the terms of the lease. The initial lease term is 20 years and includes three 5-year renewal options.

In March 2017, the Company entered into a ground lease in Richmond, Virginia. During December 2017, the Company committed to the lease as there were no remaining material contingencies under the terms of the lease. The initial lease term is 20 years and includes three 5-year renewal options.




The future minimum rental commitments under non-cancellable leases, net of subleases, as of December 31, 2017 were as follows:
For the years ending December 31:
 
Traditional Golf
 
Entertainment Golf
 
Total
2018
 
$
30,727

 
$
48

 
$
30,775

2019
 
27,623

 
321

 
27,944

2020
 
23,994

 
444

 
24,438

2021
 
17,744

 
453

 
18,197

2022
 
14,764

 
908

 
15,672

Thereafter
 
116,623

 
18,263

 
134,886

Total Minimum lease payments
 
$
231,475

 
$
20,437

 
$
251,912



Contingencies - In September 2017, Hurricane Irma caused significant damage to a Traditional Golf property in Florida, including damage to trees, bunkers and other landscaping. The three golf courses at this property were closed immediately and reopened prior to December 31, 2017. The property is insured for property damage and business interruption losses related to such events, subject to deductibles and policy limits. The Company has incurred $4.2 million in property damage costs through December 31, 2017, of which $2.0 million has been reimbursed by the insurer. Property damage costs and insurance reimbursement are recorded in operating expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company expects to incur an additional $1.3 to $1.8 million in property damage costs in 2018, all of which is expected to be reimbursed by the insurer.
Membership Deposit Liability – In the Traditional Golf business, private country club members generally pay an advance initiation fee deposit upon their acceptance as a member to the respective country club. Initiation fee deposits are refundable 30 years after the date of acceptance as a member. As of December 31, 2017, the total face amount of initiation fee deposits was approximately $248.5 million.
Restricted Cash – Approximately $5.6 million of restricted cash at December 31, 2017 is used as credit enhancement for Traditional Golf’s obligations related to the performance of lease and loan agreements and certain insurance claims.