Kokopelli Golf Club in Marion, Illinois may be forced to close soon, as a pending sale has held up for 15 months by the Federal government.
The Office of Foreign Asset Controls has frozen the property, claiming a partner in the current ownership group has ties to Zimbabwe’s controversial leader Robert Mugabe. The partner is accused of money laundering and selling arms to the African President.
“We’re supposed to host the Gateway PGA Championship, The Qualifier State Open and in 2012 The State Amateur Championship,” Jesse Barge told the local television news.
The current ownership, however, said it will run out of money this month.
The new owners had hoped to redevelop the golf course, clubhouse and build homes.
The partner in question, John Bredenkamp, is accused of financially supporting the Zimbabwean government. Bredenkamp, via his personal Web site, denies assertions from the U.S. government that call him a “crony of Mugabe.