Silverstone golf course owner again ordered to resume watering

A federal judge has ordered the new owner of the Silverstone golf course to turn the water back on and restore the property amid a legal battle with homeowners fighting the course's closure.

U.S. District Judge Richard Boulware issued a temporary restraining order Friday. If the water isn't flowing again by Wednesday, Desert Lifestyles and Ronald Richards, its Beverly Hills lawyer, will be required to disclose a full financial statement to demonstrate they can't afford to turn the water back on.

The judge's order requires that the golf course property be restored to the condition it was in before the water was turned off in early September. The next court hearing is Wednesday, when the owner will be expected to provide an update on the water issue. The hearing also is expected to clarify what areas of the golf course need to be irrigated.

Desert Lifestyles turned off the water and shut down the golf course after the purchase was finalized on Sept. 1.

The abrupt actions infuriated homeowners, who fear their property values and quality of life will suffer. They also contend that turning off the water violates a covenant already attached to the golf course when the new owner purchased it. Boulware said the new owner knew or should have known about those restrictions.

Attorney Ross Goodman, who represents the new owner, said he could not say whether his client, who was not present, has the financial resources to turn on the water. Doing so requires an estimated deposit of $342,000.

The golf course lost money under its prior owner — a point the new owner has raised in legal arguments. The homeowners are not asking Desert Lifestyles to re-open the shuttered course; they just want the greens watered so the course is not an eyesore.

"We're not asking for it to be operated," said Erika Pike Turner, an attorney for the plaintiffs. "We're asking for it to be maintained as a golf course."

Boulware also concluded on Friday that a remedy was needed because of the irreparable harm homeowners face. The situation could affect potential home sales and diminish the ability of homeowners to obtain financing tied to their property.

City of Las Vegas officials have cited the property this week with code violations and ordered management to maintain the property.

The city, which is not a party to the lawsuit, says the owner already has met one of the deadlines in the notice and drained a pond with stagnant water.

Contact Ben Botkin at bbotkin@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2904. Find him on Twitter: @BenBotkin1