The Evans, Ga., golf course has been in litigation with more than a dozen businesses, arguing that development of the region has resulted in stormwater runoff destroying the golf course property. According to the club, a two-inch rain event now has the same impact as a nine-inch event due to the development.

Jones Creek Golf Club in Evans, Ga., is suing Columbia County as well some other developers and businesses, arguing their property is being destroyed by water runoff coming from nearby developments, Augusta, Ga.-based WAGT 26 News reported.

“A golf course is sort of a living, breathing entity. We have 195 acres of grass and land and when you’re polluting the environment that it’s in and you’re constantly damaging it hurts us,” said Ray Mundy, President of the club.

As one of Jones Creek’s first employees in 1984, Mundy said development around the Marshall Square area has caused Jones Creek to lose millions of dollars in property damage, WAGT reported.

“None of this existed in 2008. The water would be four to five feet deep here. It stretched all the way back up to the mouth of the creek and everything you’re looking at has grown in during that time period,” said Mundy.

The pond he is referring to sits on the right side along the 11th fairway. Nearly half of it has filled in with dirt, sediment and debris. Mundy says it comes from a stream behind the 13th hole. Mundy says a 2” to 3” rain event has the same impact as what a 9” storm would cause before the major development upstream, WAGT reported.

“We’ve had a couch come through, a washing machine,” said Mundy.

Jones Creek has been in litigation with more than a dozen businesses and developers. It’s settled with all but two—one of which is Columbia County, WAGT reported.

“There’s a process to prevent this type of thing. Why that process is not being properly followed and why it’s continuing to happen those are questions we wish we had the answer to,” said Mundy.

Mundy says between legal fees and property damage, their losses are worth millions and growing, WAGT reported.

“Corrective action above our property line has got to happen really before we can resolve and remediate the problem down here,” said Mundy. “The impacts of Jones creek to the community. The home owners. The detrimental things that are going on to the golf course expand to every home owner this is a part of this area and frankly the community itself,” said Mundy.

WAGT reached out to Columbia County officials for comment. They said they couldn’t due to pending litigation.