I am constantly amazed by the number of residents that believe that their $500 annual assessment entitles them to use our golf courses as: 1> A dog park. They can allow their dog free rein anytime and anywhere on the course 2> a bike path whenever they choose 3> A walking path, because it’s more scenic than the sidewalk p Please feel free to explain to me why you think you have earned these benefits that none of the rest of us are granted.
The simple reality is this Larry: Dogs aren't allowed on the golf courses, even though the home owners border the courses, their back yard ends at the property line. The course can be used as a bike path, but only after hours and there are no golfers on the course. It can be a walking path, but again only after hours and golfers are gone. The former two are for both the golfers and biker/walker safety. I know some think they are entitled because they pay their fees but the rules are the rules and everyone should live by them.
I definitely believe some people act w/ entitlement - just like you said. But I also believe some people do it just because they don't know: they see a nice park-like lawn and think it's multi-use; they don't have a clue how far a golf ball travels - or how much damage it can do to their head (or dog). I'm willing to give a person the benefit of the doubt until they are told once. (And before someone says "There are signs" I'm going to say I'm so overwhelmed with signs EVERYWHERE, I don't bother to read them anymore. Seriously.) After that, suspend their privileges for a month and see if it sinks in...
Part of the issue with the RCSC is they allow walkers and bikers before and after golfers are off the course. In Sun City West there's no such rule, no one other than golfers are allowed. Everyone else is trespassing. It's an interesting problem/challenge as members paying for anything do feel entitled. The best argument is indeed the safety question. There is no logic for dogs on the golf courses.
I never thought there was any logic to ladies carrying their dogs around in their purses either - but let's not go there! LOL
Back while i was on the RCSC board, we bought Duffeeland. When we ran the numbers, the users were off the charts. The only higher figures were for the library. It was at that same point the Friends of the Library were struggling and the county offered to rent space from us. When the lease was up, they told us they didn't want to pay rent and when we saw the visitor count at the two libraries, we agreed to give them the space. I suspect the pet owners will eventually get the board to agree to an indoor area. There's a boatload of per owners. I have a couple myself but haven't used the dog park in years. There's too many folks who won't take responsibility of their pets. I suspect that's part of the problem with owners letting them run the golf courses.
