The Columbus (Neb.) Municipal Golf Board voted to keep the ban, which prohibits motorized carts from being driven in the property’s parking lot. Proponents of lifting the ban, which has been in place since the course opened in 1991, argued that the move would make the course more convenient and user-friendly, but the course’s golf pro countered that the change is unnecessary and could lead to accidents or thefts.
Motorized carts will not be allowed in the parking lot at Quail Run Golf Course in Columbus, Neb., the Columbus (Neb.) Telegram reported.
An effort to lift the ban that’s been in place since the city-owned course opened in 1991 failed to receive majority support on July 10 from the Columbus Municipal Golf Board, the Telegram reported.
The proposal, which was backed by three of the six board members at this week’s meeting, would have allowed golfers to drive carts into the parking lot to load and unload clubs, instead of requiring them to be carried to and from the course, the Telegram reported.
Chairman Doug Wagner, who supported the change along with Diane Oppliger and Kim Brandt, pointed to other area golf courses that allow carts in the parking lots as examples of how the move could be successful, the Telegram reported.
It may not attract new players to Quail Run, Wagner said, but lifting the ban would make the course more convenient and user-friendly for the current golfers, particularly senior citizens, the Telegram reported.
“There’s a lot of upside to it,” said Wagner, who proposed the board implement a temporary removal of the cart ban before considering a permanent change this fall, the Telegram reported.
“It will be bumper cars out there,” Bob Lauterbach said in opposition.
Lauterbach and fellow board member Fred Chittenden argued the course and its players have gotten along fine for more than 20 years without allowing carts in the parking lot, so the change isn’t necessary, the Telegram reported.
Golf Pro Doug Dunbar guaranteed there would accidents and instances when people drive carts off the golf course property or leave them in the parking lot, the Telegram reported.
“If you’re asking me, it’s just asking for a problem,” said Dunbar.
Proponents of the cart restrictions, which aren’t in place at Van Berg Park Golf Course, said there are differences between the two city-owned courses that make the rules necessary at one and not the other, the Telegram reported.
Quail Run is a busier course, they argued, and the parking lot is often full on weekends, league nights and during other large outings and tournaments. Lauterbach added that some of these players are impaired by alcohol at the end of a round, the Telegram reported.
Dunbar told the board he would support the proposed change if the city can be protected from any liability should someone damage property or cause an injury. But Public Property Director Doug Moore said the liability concern will “be an issue no matter what,” even if every cart user signs a release form, the Telegram reported.
The golf board’s 3-3 vote upholds the cart restrictions at Quail Run, the Telegram reported.
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