More teed-off residents demand answers as Gold Coast golf ball chaos continues
Stray golf balls are still wreaking havoc on the Gold Coast- this time at Helensvale Golf Club, where fed up residents are demanding owners finally step up to the tee.
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A Gold Coast homeowner is demanding action and stronger safety regulations as his property becomes the latest victim of repeated stray golf ball damage from a nearby course.
Mick Cole, living behind Helensvale Golf Course, says he’s been dealing with years of costly repairs – replacing shattered windows, broken roof tiles, and even his glass pool fence, all at his own expense.
“There’s been lots of damage done,” Mr Cole said. “There were four golf balls that came through just this weekend alone. My neighbour beside me, his house gets hit every day.
“It costs me thousands each year.”
Mr Cole described one incident where his window was allegedly shattered by a stray ball, leaving him with a $490 bill.
“It’s lots of broken tiles – that’s the worst part,” he said.
“I’m sick of getting up on the roof to check the tiles – every time it rains, I’ve got to check none are broken or I will have leaks.
“They don’t make my roof tiles any more but luckily I managed to find some and that cost me about $200 bucks.
“My neighbours on the other side of the road – they’re not even on the golf course – they had a broken car window which cost them $800.”
Beyond the financial toll, Mr Cole said it’s a serious safety hazard.
“I understand there are strays every now and then, but (the balls) actually go across the road into other neighbours houses as well – way off course.
“I’ve been outside so many times and almost been hit,” he said.
“My kids have been in the pool and almost been hit – it’s so dangerous.”
His concerns come after similar complaints from residents near Surfers Paradise Golf Club in January, who also raised alarm over repeated property damage and safety risks from errant golf balls.
Just like Rhonda Schou, a Clear Island Waters resident who collected enough errant balls from the Surfers Paradise Golf Club to fill multiple buckets, Mr Cole has hundreds of rogue balls – storing them in his garden bed and as makeshift “gutter mulch”.
Despite raising it with the golf club and council, he said little has been done to protect homeowners.
“They (club) don’t want to take responsibility.”
He said the club’s insurance “ends at the fence line” and it’s up to the individual golfer to pay for damage.
“The golf course doesn’t want to be involved. We’re supposed to track down the person who hit the ball, get them to admit to it, and get them to pay.”
Mr Cole said the council had attempted to address it by installing safety nets in some areas and placing warning signs on course.
“It’s gotten worse after the storms too because some of the trees have been knocked down.”
He is calling for the club to provide better insurance coverage and stronger safety measures to protect locals.
“Say I drove my car through somebody’s fence and drove off – that’s me causing damage and leaving the scene of a crime.
“However, it’s okay for somebody to smash somebody’s house with a golf ball and cause damage, and there’s no repercussions.
“I want my kids to be able to play in the yard without the threat of golf balls.”
The Helensvale Golf club has been contacted for comment.
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Originally published as More teed-off residents demand answers as Gold Coast golf ball chaos continues
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