The City of Manteca Friday suspended the use of drivers at the municipal golf course’s driving range.
The prohibition of the use of drivers will remain in place until a solution can be fashioned and implemented that does not send errant golf balls flying over a 60-foot high screen and raining down on the adjacent Golf Villas neighborhood.
“This precaution is being taken to prevent potential property damage or injury to nearby residents while staff evaluates proposed changes and long-term safety improvements to the range are considered,” the city noted in a release.
The driving range will remain open for use with irons and other clubs.
The city has posted signs at the driving range advising golfers of the temporary suspension of the use of drivers.
Errant golf balls have been an issue for decades.
But in recent years, the number of errant golf balls clearing the net have soared.
It now isn’t unusual for a hundred golf balls a month to land on, in, and outside Golf Villa homes.
One ball smashed a skylight.
Windshields and windows are routinely damaged.
One door has more than a dozen dings on it.
The City Council was in the process of pushing for a solution when they were presented photos of a woman that was in her Golf Villa yard and was hit so hard with a golf ball that it caused major bruising. A trip to the emergency room revealed the golf ball strike caused internal damage as well.
Staff advanced a $150,000 solution to reorientate the boxes to the west to reduce the odds of balls clearing the net.
But during a discussion with the golf pro and staff at a council meeting, it was determined other alterations may be needed.
The city for years has rejected claims for damages the errant golf balls cause.
It’s because it would be admitting liability.
That said, residents have periodically complained to the city about errant golf balls.
Aside from replacing damaged nets, the city previously took a hands off approach given they weren’t legally responsible for the problem.
However, the current city management and council have taken a different tact.
The buyers of homes in the Golf Villas sign documents when they close escrow on mortgages that they hold the city harmless for golf ball related damages.
It was a condition the developer of the neighborhood had to agree to in order to build homes adjacent to the golf course where the front nine was created on the site of the city’s former municipal landfill.
Golf balls are always an issue for people who reside next to a golf course.
It is rare, however, that residential development occurs parallel to a driving range especially in the higher density that Golf Villas was built.
The city required developers of the 114 duplexes now under construction on the south side of the golf course near Airport Way to dedicate a 150-foot wide golf ball easement as well.
The easement holds the city harmless for any damage that may occur to 12 homes being built within the 150-foot wide easement.
Buyers of the homes are required to be made aware of the easement that means they can’t seek reimbursement from the city for damages caused by errant golf balls.
The city — or anyone else for that matter — will have no right to retrieve golf balls that may end up in yards.
The new neighborhood is going immediately south of the 99-home Yosemite Greens neighborhood.
To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com
