3rd Ave Golf Ball SFBA

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Date: Mon Feb 09 2004 - 17:26:35 PST


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Date: Mon, 9 Feb 2004 20:26:35 EST
Subject: 3rd Ave Golf Ball SFBA
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The San Francisco Boardsailing Association (SFBA) will be scheduling
a meeting so that all windsurfers and kitesurfers will have an
opportunity to get up to date on the golf ball situation at the
Third Avenue/Foster City launch and offer their input. Right now it
looks like the meeting will be on Wednesday, March 3 at 6:00 p.m.
in the Wind Room at Foster City Community Center, 1000 E. Hillsdale
Boulevard, Foster City (based on room availability).

Mariner's Point Golf Course (MPGC) has developed a plan to raise the
safety nets at the course, but the nets will not be raised unless or
until MPGC and Foster City resolve differences they have regarding
MPGC's lease. Even if thing go smoothly between MPGC and Foster
City it is not likely that the nets would be raised until after the
end of the 2004 windsurfing season. Participation at the meeting is
important. We need your guidance with regard to what actions and
positions we should take.

Raising the Nets

I met during January with the management of the Mariner's Point Golf
Course (MPGC) and the City Manager of Foster City. MPGC had a
trajectory study prepared in order to determine the flight path of
the balls that leave the range. The study was presented at the
meeting. The study assumed a wind speed of around 10 m.p.h. which
was an average for wind speed throughout the day during the windiest
month. The study indicated that the nets should be raised and I
think the indication was for the nets to go from 50' to 85' at the
end of the driving range and higher on the sides where the
trajectory peaks. I pointed out at the meeting that the wind speed
is more likely to be averaging 20 m.p.h. and gusting to 30 m.p.h.
or more when the problems are occurring. MPGC then indicated that
they want to play it safe and that they have plans to raise the nets
around the entire down range end of the course to 140' and include
an extension of the higher net between the rigging area and the golf
course as well. The bad news is that it won't happen until after
the end of the season because of engineering issues, lead time on
ordering the poles, and disagreements between MPGC and Foster City.
The costs estimates for the raising of the nets runs from $400,000
to $600,000. The poles and foundations have to be specially
engineered to handle the highest possible wind loads on the nets.

Wind Impacts

MPGC says that they heard some concerns about the impacts that nets
might have on the wind when they originally proposed the course and
range. They are concerned that some people may oppose raising the
nets or complain after the fact that the nets are causing problems
for windsurfers or kitesurfers. The taller nets would extend the
distance that any wind impact is felt in a down wind direction. My
impression is that the wind impacts from the existing nets is not
great, but I'd be interested to hear opinions on this and it should
be discussed at a meeting. The nets have a profile that blocks 7%
of the wind that passes through the net. If the consensus is that
the higher nets are preferable, then we should convey this opinion
to MPGC and encourage them to move as quickly as possible.

Damage to Persons & Property

MPGC says that their insurance company tells them that they are not
liable for damages caused by the golf balls. I believe that their
position is that the golfer who hits the ball is responsible. This
means that people who have suffered damages and believe that MPGC is
liable would have to file a claim and then sue when they are not
paid. MPGC and Foster City have agreed that MPGC shall provide
claims forms and claims information upon request.

Management Practices

MPGC has said that they want to work with the windsurfing community
in order to have effective management procedures to prevent damage
and injuries during the coming season. MPGC seems open to
suggestions about management practices that could be used.
Management procedures could include pulling back or restricting the
tees in the area where people are hitting off of a grass surface
(these tees are regularly shifted up and back in order to allow for
the grass to grow back) and restriction on use of the upper deck.
One important question is how close the correlation is between balls
leaving the driving range and higher wind speeds. If the balls
primarily leave when the winds are high, then restrictions or
changes in the operation could be tied to winds conditions. I'd be
interested in any information or opinions on this count.

I have heard of cases where a golf ball comes over the net and then
is followed by more balls. I have suggested that a phone number
should be added to the warning signs posted in the parking area so
that people can call MPGC immediately when a ball comes over the
net. This could be helpful if MPGC has a staff member on duty who
will make an announcement or immediately go out to the tee area to
determine who is hitting the long balls or why the balls are leaving
the range.

>From the tees at the driving range, you cannot see that there is a
parking and shoreline access area at the end of the range. MPGC
says that they will allow SFBA to post a notice on the ball machines
to advise golfers that balls that leave the range are landing in an
area where there may be quite a few people and cars. This won't
impress everyone, but many or most people would be less likely to
knowingly hit a ball over the fence if they knew the situation. I
am looking for a couple of pictures of damage of injury that we
could use as a graphic for the notice so that people notice it and
it makes an impact. Please forward any images you have.

MPGC has indicated that their consultant indicated that they could
also address the problem by using depowered golf balls that are
designed to fly a shorter distance. MPGC wants to raise the nets
and rely on management practices because they believe that the use
of depowered golf balls will result in a significant decline in the
number of customers.

Foster City

The Community Development Director for Foster City has asked us to
consider the implementation of a parking fee for the public access
area at Third Avenue. The funds collected would be used to help
defray the costs of the nets and to also fund site improvements like
restrooms or showers. We need to consider whether there should be a
fee, and if so, what fee amount would be reasonable and what
benefits it would fund.

Peter Thorner President, San Francisco Boardsailing Association
thorner@sfba.org-DeleteThis.com

P.S. to Kitesurfers: Chris Aliaga at MPGC says kiters are welcome
to park at the golf course lot if they want to launch upwind and we
should also see the new park upwind at Seal Point coming on line in
the next year. The spot is tough for windsurfing because the launch
is pretty far from the parking and it is shallow off Seal Point, but
it might make a great place for kiters.

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