A bankruptcy judge has approved Sea Island Co.'s plan to sell its luxury resorts, golf courses and private clubs to settle the Georgia company's Chapter 11 case.

Judge John S. Dalis noted Sea Island's creditors voted almost unanimously in favor of the $212.4 million sale as he ruled in court Thursday.

The decision paves the way for Sea Island to emerge from bankruptcy protection less than three months after the company filed under Chapter 11, saying costly renovations and a sagging economy left it saddled with more than $700 million in debt.

At an auction last month, competing investment firms struck a deal to jointly purchase and manage Sea Island's properties as a four-way partnership.

Tags: bankruptcy, coastal Georgia, golf course, Sea Island Company, federal judge, auction, Chapter 11, assets