"The Morongo Band of Mission Indians did not purchase the two-course East Valley Golf Club in Beaumont, contrary to chatter around the San Gorgonio Pass.

"It's a big, big rumor," said Heather Dunker, marketing director at East Valley, which is located in Beaumont's new frontier of golf course neighborhoods on the town's west side.

She constantly hears that the course was sold, as do I. I even heard about the rumored sale in Big Bear from a golfer who drives from the mountains to play in Beaumont. Dunker is quick to quash talk of the sale whenever she hears it.

Like many rumors, there are a few facts involved. The Morongo tribe indeed was in the midst of a deal over the summer to buy the course. It would be a nice match with Morongo Casino Resort & Spa. Golf could help attract gamblers to the tribe's game resort by Cabazon.

The sale died, as Dunker tells everyone who will listen. The tribe remains interested.

"An extension of the escrow was requested, but the owners declined," Michael Fisher, spokesman for the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, responded in an e-mail to my questions about the East Valley rumors."

Get the Story:
Bob Pratte: Golf course did not sell (The Riverside Press-Enterprise 9/29)