A late offer from another party at least temporarily torpedoed plans by the Holmes Harbor Sewer District to purchase the golf course within its boundaries.

District board members hoped to purchase the course at a meeting Thursday for $200,000. But late word arrived from the district’s attorney that the owners, Kevin Hanchett and Mike Hooper, had received another offer.

“The owner has a late buyer and he’s considering an offer,” said Stan Walker, board chairman, on Friday. “We don’t know who the offer’s from.”

The sewer district went ahead and signed its formal offer, Walker said. It hoped to purchase the fairways and greens and make the pro shop and maintenance building available for lease for three years. Then a separate party would be found to operate and maintain the golf course, which serves as the district’s treated effluent disposal area. That would save ratepayers an estimated $70,000 annually.

Walker didn’t take the sudden offer from someone else as bad news. “It indicates the course would still be on track to play this summer.” He added the district might have to pay for some maintenance in the meantime.