(WSVN) – In the world of golf, the term “hazard” refers to an obstacle such as a bunker or lake that makes a shot difficult. But one condominium resident claims simply living next to a golf course is dangerous. 7’s Heather Walker investigates.
This is what Robert Heath woke up to in January.
Resident Robert Heath: “Bang, my rear windshield is completely shattered. It shattered so badly that all the tiny tiny pieces of glass went into the back seat and some of it crashed into the front.” I jumped into my seat.”
And over time, his car became scratched and dented.
This damage was caused by golf balls, not road debris or vandalism.
Robert Heath: “These are just some of the ones we’ve found in the last few months. But one of them broke the windshield.”
One of them also broke the windshield of a neighbor’s house.
Resident Nancy Taylor: “We didn’t know what was going on. Then two of the residents walked by and said, ‘Oh, we got hit by a golf ball.'”
Robert and Nancy live on Park Place in Pembroke Pines. The condo building is surrounded by this city-owned golf course.
Nancy Taylor: “The grounds are beautiful, except for the Hazard Golf Course.”
A bad swing can cause the golf ball to fly into the community.
This is a deep-seated problem, but it is not a new problem. Just ask longtime resident Florence Hirsch.
Florence Hirsch, resident: “I’ve lived here for 31 years. When I moved in, within the first month I had the front window of my car, the back window of my car, and three windows in my apartment… I took a picture of the window.”
But their biggest concern is not their property, but their safety.
Florence Hirsch: “If that golf ball hits someone, they’re never going to get back up. I believe that. Golf balls come at you at great speeds, but they’re too old to accept that.” Too much.”
Nancy Taylor: “You can see what it did to my windshield. So you can imagine what it did to my skull.”
Two residents said they were already in a close call.
Resident Marcia Storm: “I was really lonely. If I took one more step, I would have hit myself in the head. Really. That’s the only time I was scared.”
Resident Charles Heiter: “It’s scary. It’s scary.”
Charles Heiter was walking with his grandchildren.
Charles Heiter: “I told them, ‘Watch out for the golf ball.'” And then the golf ball came. So, if we had been a little further away, one of us would have been captured. ”
We took our residents’ concerns to the city, but it turns out it’s very difficult to find a hole-in-one solution when your condo is surrounded by a golf course.
Heather Walker: “Which came first, the golf course or the condo?”
Pembroke Pines City Assistant City Manager Christina Sorensen: “It’s a golf course.”
Assistant City Manager Christina Sorensen said the course was designed with larger trees and hedges. Still, she says that doesn’t stop all errant golf balls.
Christina Sorensen: “Is the City of Pembroke Pines concerned about the safety of its residents?” Yes. But living next to a golf course comes with its own risks. It’s not like you get a call every day. It always happens in blue moons. ”
But residents say they feel golf balls are routinely entering the complex and that more needs to be done.
Nancy Taylor: “At least four days a week, you might see golf balls in the community.”
Robert said he would like to see more nets installed and maintained.
Robert Heath: “If you put it in especially the worst areas, it will be mitigated.”
Christina Sorensen: “I’m going to contact Park Place (homeowners association) to see if there’s something they haven’t thought of that could help the residents.”
A conversation that could at least be heading in the right direction.
Heather Walker, 7News.
Contact 7 investigates:
305-627-CLUE
954-921-CLUE
[email protected]
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