Greens fans vs homeowners Cancel The title field is required!

1. Sean VanHoose

   

   0 posts
   
   7/13/2017 3:07 PM

   Does anyone have any experience with homeowners trying to dictate the use of our greens fans? We have a potential new home owner thinking of suing us if I don't shut off a fan surrounding one of our greens. I would appreciate any feedback regarding this.
   
   Thanks,
   Sean

   
   
   
   
2. David Stout

   

   0 posts
   
   7/13/2017 3:07 PM

   Suing for what? Depending on the local laws pertaining to noise, you may be restricted to time of day or decibel levels or both. Best to find out now. Also, might not be a bad idea to have a conversation with the homeowner to see exactly what his concern is. Compromise can alleviate a lot of problems with reasonable people.

   
   
   
   
3. Clay Putnam

   

   33 posts
   
   7/13/2017 4:07 PM

   Are you the decision maker for the golf course? If not, hand this topic and conversation over to the decision maker (owner/manger). You can provide support to the decision maker but don't take on this burden if it's not your's to bear. If you are the decision maker, take David's advice and research local ordinances regarding noise then discuss with your course/club attorney. A conversation with the neighbor is a good first step and may result in an amicable solution. However, it must be a reasonable solution for all. Keep in mind some neighbors are inconsolable in which case you must simply operate within the local laws regardless of the neighbor's wishes. In the meantime, I would operate under the status of what's best for the golf course until otherwise instructed by your superior(s).

   
   
   
   
4. Jonathan Burke

   

   2 posts
   
   7/14/2017 8:07 AM

   David- Check with your town for noise ordinances, and get a decibel meter. In our situation it fell under the board of health. I provided the town and neighbor articles about why we used the fan, and the efforts we took to minimize the noise. They made several site visits on our property and the neighbors . We were within regulations and could operate the fan within specified hours. Funny thing the fan is quieter than their neighbors window air conditioner. It helped that the municipal golf course in town also used fans, so the BOH had already dealt with a similar situation. The neighbor sold his house and moved out. The green has never been better.
   
   Jon