Bernardo Heights C.C. suit settled.

This case began when member Birgit Koebke challenged the guest policy at Bernardo Heights Country Club, located in Rancho Bernado, CA. Under this policy, Koebke claimed that spouses, children, and grandchildren could play golf for free. However, Birgit's registered domestic partner, Kendall French, was limited to guest play six times per year at a cost of $70 per round. After Koebke's request to the club to extend spousal privileges to her partner was denied, Koebke sued claiming that the club had violated state discrimination laws regarding marital status and sexual orientation.

In August of 2005, the California State Supreme Court ruled that clubs must offer equal treatment to gay and lesbian members who currently have registered domestic partners the same as they do to married couples.

However, the Supreme Court ruling left unresolved the issue of where the club had discriminated against Koebke and French by treating them differently than other unmarried, heterosexual couples.

In January, a settlement on this issue was reached between the plaintiffs and the club. Settlement details were not released and are confidential. The case was scheduled to be heard in February in the San Diego Superior Court.