Out of Bounds

– By Ken Knowles –

Living on the section of Allendale Drive next to Rye Golf Club has become a bit adventuresome, some might say downright dangerous. Homeowners whose backyards lie along the fifth-hole fairway are finding more and more golf balls landing in their backyards.

Allendale resident Carla Eggers says, “On the weekends, nearly every half hour, you hear golf balls crashing into the trees that line the fairway.” One recent morning, three balls landed in her yard, where her three small children were playing. Their home doesn't even back up to the golf course; it's across the street. Her neighbors, the Hellers, who've lived in their Allendale Drive home for 38 years, also report that the ball barrage has worsened.

There are several reasons why some Allendale residents are now plagued by incoming golf balls. The cloth screen that is strung along the fifth fairway has, in some places, become detached from its supporting braces. There are now noticeable sags in part of the screen. And eight aspen trees, planted by Rye Golf Club to protect the neighbors have been lost in recent storms, and not been replaced. Finally, advances in golf technology enable golfers to hit longer, higher errant drives.

The neighbors have asked Rye Golf to remediate the problem, but to no avail so far. The club's general manager, Scott Yandrasevich, says the screen is as high as it can possibly go and it will not be repaired. Further, he told the paper that the club will not be replacing the trees. According to Yandresevich, the low water table along the fifth hole makes it difficult for trees to thrive. The matter has been turned over to the City Council.

At the May 9 City Council meeting, Mrs. Eggers and Mrs. Heller waited patiently for three hours, to express their concerns to the Council. At the May 30 Council meeting, Mr. Heller waited nearly four hours, while agenda items were discussed, before getting a chance to ask for an update. City Manager Paul Shew said that the practice of netting is less used these days, suggesting the netting would not be repaired. “But the City has maintained it for 38 years and repaired it this past year,” replied Heller.

The discussion ended inconclusively, with the City Manager saying he would get additional information and report back to the Council.