RIVERSIDE - A vendor's financial woes has prompted the city of Riverside to close its public course at Fairmount Park for the remainder of the winter season.

The nine-hole Fairmount Golf Course, located just off the Pomona (60) Freeway at Dexter Drive, will be padlocked until at least the end of March, according to city officials.

The temporary closure was ordered after the facility's lessee, Fairmount Golf Partners LLC, got behind on its rental payments, officials said.

On Jan. 2, a Riverside County Superior Court judge granted the city's request to assume control of the property and evict the vendor.

The Riverside Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department will spend the next 60 to 90 days improving the grounds and making other modifications.

The course has been in operation since 1936.