Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

v3.8.0.1
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial reporting and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows have been included and are of a normal and recurring nature. The operating results presented for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the entire year. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2017 and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 13, 2018. Capitalized terms used herein, and not otherwise defined, are defined in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2017.

As of March 31, 2018, the Company’s significant accounting policies for these financial statements are summarized below and should be read in conjunction with the Summary of Significant Accounting Policies detailed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Prior Period Reclassification Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period's presentation. Effective January 1, 2018, the Company internalized management (as discussed above) and records corporate overhead, including corporate payroll and related expenses, in "General and administrative expense" on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Prior to January 1, 2018, the Company reported corporate overhead, including corporate payroll and related expenses, related to the Traditional Golf business in "Operating expenses" on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company reclassified $3.9 million from "Operating expenses" to "General and administrative expense" for the three months ended March 31, 2017.

The Company adopted ASU 2015-18 Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230), Restricted Cash effective January 1, 2018, which requires retrospective adjustment to all periods. The addition of the reconciliation of restricted cash for three months ended March 31, 2017 included an increase of $1.1 million in "Margin deposits under repurchase agreements and derivatives."

REVENUE RECOGNITION

Golf Course Operations Revenue from green fees, cart rentals, merchandise sales and other operating activities (consisting primarily of range income, banquets and club amenities) are generally recognized at the time of sale, when services are rendered and collection is reasonably assured.

Revenue from membership dues for private club members and The Players Club members is recognized in the month earned. Membership dues received in advance are included in deferred revenue and recognized as revenue ratably over the appropriate period, which is generally twelve months or less for private club members and the following month for The Players Club members. The membership dues are generally structured to cover the club operating costs and membership services.
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. The difference between the initiation fee deposit paid by the member and the present value of the refund obligation is deferred and recognized into revenue in the Consolidated Statements of Operations on a straight-line basis over the expected life of an active membership, which is estimated to be seven years. The determination of the estimated average expected life of an active membership is a significant judgment based on company-specific historical membership addition and attrition data. The present value of the refund obligation is recorded as a membership deposit liability in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and accretes over a 30-year nonrefundable term using the effective interest method. This accretion is recorded as interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Revenue from the reimbursement of certain operating costs incurred at the Company’s managed Traditional Golf properties is recognized at the time the associated operating costs are incurred as collection is reasonably assured per the terms of the management contracts and the repayment histories of the property owners.
Sales of Food and Beverages Revenue from food and beverage sales are recorded at the time of sale.
Realized and Unrealized (Gain) Loss on Investments and Other Income (Loss), Net These items are comprised of the following:
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Loss on settlement of real estate securities
$

 
$
2,803

Unrealized loss on securities, intent-to-sell

 
558

Realized (gain) on settlement of TBAs, net

 
(2,474
)
Unrealized (gain) loss on non-hedge derivative instruments
(242
)
 
2,502

Realized and unrealized (gain) loss on investments
$
(242
)
 
$
3,389

 
 
 
 
Loss on lease modifications and terminations
$
(771
)
 
$
(158
)
Loss on extinguishment of debt, net
(52
)
 
(146
)
Collateral management fee income, net
154

 
122

Equity in earnings of equity method investments
379

 
379

(Loss) gain on disposal of long-lived assets
(206
)
 
26

Other income (loss)
90

 
(346
)
Other loss, net
$
(406
)
 
$
(123
)

EXPENSE RECOGNITION

Operating Expenses Operating expenses for Traditional Golf consist primarily of payroll directly related to golf properties, equipment and cart leases, utilities, repairs and maintenance, supplies, seed, soil and fertilizer, marketing, certain operating costs incurred at managed Traditional Golf properties and operating lease rent expense. Many of the Traditional Golf properties and related facilities are leased under long-term operating leases. In addition to minimum payments, certain leases require payment of the excess of various percentages of gross revenue or net operating income over the minimum rental payments. The leases generally require the payment of taxes assessed against the leased property and the cost of insurance and maintenance. The majority of lease terms initially range from 10 to 20 years, and typically, the leases contain renewal options. Certain leases include scheduled increases or decreases in minimum rental payments at various times during the term of the lease. These scheduled rent increases or decreases are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. Increases result in an accrual, which is included in other current liabilities and other liabilities, and decreases result in a receivable, which is included in other current assets and other assets, for the amount by which the cumulative straight-line rent differs from the contractual cash rent.

Pre-Opening Costs Pre-opening costs are expensed as incurred and consist primarily of marketing expenses, pre-opening rent, employee payroll, travel and related expenses, training costs, food, beverage and other restaurant operating expenses incurred prior to opening an Entertainment Golf venue.

Derivatives and Hedging Activities All derivatives are recognized as either assets or liabilities on the balance sheet and measured at fair value. The Company reports the fair value of derivative instruments gross of cash paid or received pursuant to credit support agreements and fair value is reflected on a net counterparty basis when the Company believes a legal right of offset exists under an enforceable netting agreement. Changes in fair value are recorded in net income. Derivative transactions are entered into by the Company solely for risk management purposes in the ordinary course of business. As of March 31, 2018, the Company has one interest rate cap with a fair value of $0.5 million which is not designated as a hedge.
BALANCE SHEET MEASUREMENT
Property and Equipment, Net Real estate and related improvements are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. Costs that both materially add value to an asset and extend the useful life of an asset by more than a year are capitalized. With respect to golf course improvements (included in buildings and improvements), costs associated with construction, significant replacements, permanent landscaping, sand traps, fairways, tee boxes or greens are capitalized. All other asset-related costs that do not meet these criteria, such as minor repairs and routine maintenance, are expensed as incurred.
The Company capitalizes to construction in progress certain costs related to properties under development. Capitalization begins when the activities related to development have begun and ceases when activities are substantially complete and the asset is available for use. Capitalized costs include development, construction-related costs and interest expense.
Long-lived assets to be disposed of by sale, which meet certain criteria, are reclassified to real estate held-for-sale and measured at the lower of their carrying amount or fair value less costs of sale. Real estate held-for-sale is recorded in “Real estate assets, held-for-sale” and “Real estate liabilities, held-for-sale” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. A disposal of a component of an entity or a group of components of an entity are reported in discontinued operations if the disposal represents a strategic shift that has or will have a major effect on the Company’s operations and financial results. Discontinued operations are retroactively reclassified to income (loss) from discontinued operations for all periods presented.

The Company leases certain golf carts and other equipment that are classified as capital leases. The value of capital leases is recorded as an asset on the balance sheet, along with a liability related to the associated payments. Depreciation of capital lease assets is calculated using the straight-line method over the shorter of the estimated useful lives and the expected lease terms. The cost of equipment under capital leases is included in property and equipment in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Payments under the leases are treated as reductions of the obligations under capital leases, with a portion being recorded as interest expense under the effective interest method.
Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method based on the following estimated useful lives:
Buildings and improvements
10-30 years
Capital leases - equipment
3-7 years
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
3-7 years

Intangibles, Net Intangible assets and liabilities relating to Traditional Golf consist primarily of leasehold advantages (disadvantages), management contracts and membership base. A leasehold advantage (disadvantage) exists to the Company when it pays a contracted rent that is below (above) market rents at the date of the acquisition transaction. The value of a leasehold advantage (disadvantage) is calculated based on the differential between market and contracted rent, which is tax effected and discounted to present value based on an after-tax discount rate corresponding to each golf property and is amortized over the term of the underlying lease agreement. The management contract intangible represents the Company’s golf course management contracts for both leased and managed properties. The management contract intangible for leased and managed properties is valued utilizing a discounted cash flow methodology under the income approach and is amortized over the term of the underlying lease or management agreements, respectively. The membership base intangible represents the Company’s relationship with its private country club members. The membership base intangible is valued using the multi-period excess earnings method under the income approach, and is amortized over the expected life of an active membership.

Amortization of leasehold intangible assets and liabilities is included within operating expenses and amortization of all other intangible assets is included within depreciation and amortization in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Amortization of all intangible assets is calculated using the straight-line method based on the following estimated useful lives:
Trade name
30 years
Leasehold intangibles
1-26 years
Management contracts
1-26 years
Internally-developed software
5 years
Membership base
7 years

Membership Deposit Liabilities 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. The difference between the initiation fee deposit paid by the member and the present value of the refund obligation is deferred and recognized into Golf course operations revenue in the Consolidated Statements of Operations on a straight-line basis over the expected life of an active membership, which is estimated to be seven years. The present value of the refund obligation is recorded as a membership deposit liability in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and accretes over a 30-year nonrefundable term using the effective interest method. This accretion is recorded as interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Other Investment The Company owns an approximately 22% economic interest in a limited liability company which owns preferred equity secured by a commercial real estate project. The Company accounts for this investment as an equity method investment. As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the carrying value of this investment was $21.5 million and $21.1 million, respectively. The Company evaluates its equity method investment for other-than-temporary impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the investment might not be recoverable. The evaluation of recoverability is based on management’s assessment of the financial condition and near term prospects of the commercial real estate project, the length of time and the extent to which the market value of the investment has been less than cost, availability and cost of financing, demand for space, competition for tenants, changes in market rental rates, and operating costs.  As these factors are difficult to predict and are subject to future events that may alter management’s assumptions, the values estimated by management in its recoverability analyses may not be realized, and actual losses or impairment may be realized in the future.

Impairment of Real Estate and Finite-lived Intangible Assets The Company periodically reviews the carrying amounts of its long-lived assets, including real estate and finite-lived intangible assets, to determine whether current events or circumstances indicate that such carrying amounts may not be recoverable. The assessment of recoverability is based on management’s estimates by comparing the sum of the estimated undiscounted cash flows generated by the underlying asset, or other appropriate grouping of assets, to its carrying value to determine whether an impairment existed at its lowest level of identifiable cash flows. If the carrying amount of the asset is greater than the expected undiscounted cash flows to be generated by such asset, an impairment is recognized to the extent the carrying value of such asset exceeds its fair value. The Company generally measures fair value by considering sale prices for similar assets or by discounting estimated future cash flows using an appropriate discount rate. Assets to be disposed of are carried at the lower of their financial statement carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.

Other Current Assets

The following table summarizes the Company's other current assets:
 
 
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
Loans, held-for-sale, net (A)
 
$

 
$
147

Prepaid expenses
 
4,906

 
3,081

Deposits
 
5,337

 
3,469

Inventory
 
5,302

 
4,722

Miscellaneous current assets, net
 
10,270

 
10,149

Other current assets
 
$
25,815

 
$
21,568

(A)
During the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company recorded an impairment of $0.2 million on a corporate loan.

Other Assets

The following table summarizes the Company's other assets:
 
 
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
Prepaid expenses
 
$
5

 
$
6

Deposits
 
2,126

 
2,213

Derivative assets
 
528

 
286

Miscellaneous assets, net
 
5,783

 
6,144

Other assets
 
$
8,442

 
$
8,649



Other Current Liabilities

The following table summarizes the Company's other current liabilities:
 
 
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
Security deposits payable
 
$
7,894

 
$
6,602

Accrued rent
 
2,548

 
2,160

Due to affiliates
 

 
1,786

Dividends payable
 
930

 
930

Miscellaneous current liabilities
 
5,160

 
11,118

Other current liabilities
 
$
16,532

 
$
22,596



Other Liabilities

The following table summarizes the Company's other liabilities:
 
 
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
Security deposits payable
 
$
302

 
$
66

Unfavorable leasehold interests
 
3,066

 
3,374

Accrued rent
 
1,057

 
1,057

Miscellaneous liabilities
 
354

 
349

Other liabilities
 
$
4,779

 
$
4,846



Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). The standard’s core principle is that a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In doing so, companies will need to use more judgment and make more estimates than under today’s guidance. These may include identifying performance obligations in the contract, estimating the amount of variable consideration to include in the transaction price and allocating the transaction price to each separate performance obligation. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date, which defers the effective date by one year. The standard will be effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017; however, all entities are allowed to adopt the standard as early as the original effective date (annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016). Entities have the option of using either a full retrospective or a modified approach to adopt the guidance. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-08 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations which clarifies how an entity should identify the unit of accounting for the principal versus agent evaluation and how to apply the control principle to certain types of arrangements. In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-10 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing, which clarifies when a promised good or service is separately identifiable. In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-12 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients which amends the new revenue recognition guidance on transition, collectibility, noncash consideration and the presentation of sales and other similar taxes. In December 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-20 Technical Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers which amends the new revenue recognition guidance on performance obligations and 12 additional technical corrections and improvements. The Company adopted the new guidance effective January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method. See Note 3 for additional information.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01 Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. The standard addresses certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments. The effective date of the standard will be for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company adopted the new guidance effective January 1, 2018 and it did not have a material impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 Leases (Topic 842). The standard requires lessees to recognize most leases on the balance sheet and addresses certain aspects of lessor accounting. The effective date of the standard will be for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018 and early adoption is permitted. Entities are required to use a modified retrospective approach for leases that exist or are entered into after the beginning of the earliest comparative period in the financial statements, with an option to use certain relief. The Company is evaluating potential impacts of adopting the standard. Upon initial qualitative evaluation, a key change upon adoption will be the balance sheet recognition of all leased assets and liabilities. The Company's operating leases include ground leases, for certain of its golf properties and leased equipment which are not recognized on the balance sheet. The Company anticipates a right-of-use asset and a related lease liability will be recognized for these leases.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13 Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The standard changes how entities will measure credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments that are not measured at fair value through net income. For available-for-sale debt securities, entities will be required to record allowances rather than reduce the carrying amount under the other-than-temporary impairment model. The effective date of the standard will be for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019 and early adoption is permitted for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Entities will apply the standard's provisions as a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective. The Company is currently evaluating the new guidance to determine the impact it may have on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15 Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230), Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. The standard provides specific guidance over eight identified cash flow issues in order to reduce diversity in practice over the presentation and classification of certain types of cash receipts and cash payments. The effective date of the standard will be for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017 and early adoption is permitted. Entities should apply the standard using a retrospective transition method to each period presented. The Company adopted the new guidance effective January 1, 2018 and it did not have a material impact on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18 Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230), Restricted Cash. The standard requires entities to show the changes in the total of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash in the statement of cash flows and provide a reconciliation to the related line items in the balance sheet. The effective date of the standard will be for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017 and early adoption is permitted. Entities will be required to apply the guidance retrospectively when adopted and provide the relevant disclosures in ASC 250 in the first interim and annual periods in which the guidance is adopted. The Company adopted the new guidance effective January 1, 2018 and has included changes in restricted cash in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for all periods presented.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01 Business Combinations (Topic 805), Clarifying the Definition of a Business. The standard clarifies the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets of businesses. The effective date of the standard will be for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and early adoption is permitted. Entities will be required to apply the guidance on a prospective basis. The Company adopted the new guidance effective January 1, 2018 and it did not have a material impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements.