Woman struck by golf ball files suit

Woman struck by golf ball files suit, alleging design flaw in Beach course

anuary 5, 2008
VIRGINIA BEACH

A woman who was felled by a ball while watching her boyfriend play golf in the summer of 2006 is suing the Owl's Creek Golf Course for $1 million.

Crystal Timpanaro of Emerson, N.J., was hit in the left temple and eye by a stray golf ball and seriously injured, according to the lawsuit filed in federal court in December.

Timpanaro was sitting in a golf cart near the 16th tee on Aug. 24, 2006, when a golfer at the 17th hole shanked a drive that hit her, the lawsuit said.

In the suit, Timpanaro blamed the golf course owners and claimed that the 16th and 17th holes are poorly designed. The lawsuit also claims that Owl's Creek should have warned golf spectators about the hazards of the sport.

http://hamptonroads.com/2008/01/woman-s ... ach-course

amazing... you know, a little common sense goes a long way people!

Hmm this is a tricky one. One thing that troubles me is the report says she was watching her bf play. Every club and public gof course never let spectators on the course other than a tournament which has a disclaimer on the ticket. Under normal open play I would be surprised if she was allowed out there. Our policy is the same, your either in dress code, have your clubs and your playing or your not going on the course. It is an insurance issue. Second she may have a point if the course is shown to be poorly designed. Courses that are built on small pieces of land and have tee boxes that are close together are supposed to have buffers such as bushes or in certain cases chain link fences or nylon nets. If they can prove these steps were not taken and it was a risk she may have a case.

A few of the courses out here allow spectators.