Errant golf balls make residents nervous

“As we approached our car, we saw something whiz by right in front of us, barely missing hitting Jackson's head,” Greninger said. “We saw a golf ball bounce off the bush and land by my car.... We were completely astounded and stunned. It was just unbelievable.”

The back window of one Fremont Elementary mother's vehicle was broken by a golf ball twice in three years, most recently in April. The Oakmont Country Club paid for the repairs.

La Crescenta Avenue resident and Fremont parent Edward Bash said he and others have voiced their fears to club officials numerous times in recent years, but no action has been taken to contain the errant golf balls. They are concerned a serious accident will occur before they are heard, he added.

“They don't seem to be concerned at all and it is really frustrating,” Bash said. “If a child got hit with one of those, it would be really devastating. An adult would be bad enough, but a child would be horrible.”

Westhoff said that the club takes the neighbors' concerns very seriously. Club officials have consulted with their course architect and insurance company, and have hired a consultant to study the issue further later this month. The club's insurance covers damage to vehicles, he noted, adding that purchasing a home in the vicinity of a golf course does come with inherent risks.

Additional fencing would come at great expense and require permission from the city of Glendale, he noted.

“I am not sure you could put a fence high enough to stop all golf balls,” Westhoff said. “For every precaution you take, somebody will figure out a way to hit the worst shot of their life.”