Golf balls from driving range end up at shoplots

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MANY shoplots at Plaza Crystalville in Jalan Genting Lama are under constant threat of stray golf balls hitting and damaging property.

The stray golf balls come from the Setapak Golf Driving Range near the plaza.

The commercial area consisting of four blocks with 52 units has been putting up with the danger since construction work began in 2008.

Numerous complaint letters have been sent to the owners of the driving range and the local council and the problem persists until today.

Within range: Shoplots close to the golf driving range.

Crystalville project manager Song Chin Yew said the driving range owners should take responsibility to ensure that their activities did not cause problem to their neighbours.

“Last year, we have had meetings with the driving range director, Paul Chu, and he extended the nets but that failed to address the problem.

“Chu has requested us to incorporate some safety features in the building design to avoid damage by golf balls. Why are they pushing the responsibility to us?” he asked.

“There have been an incident during construction where a woman was hit on the head by a golf ball but thankfully her injury was not serious.

Recently, shop owner Fauzi Hussein was discussing a deal with a possible tenant when a golf ball came smashing through the glass panel landing inside the unit.

“Damage to the property can be repaired but we fear the safety of the business operators and their customers.

Shattered: A damaged window pane at a shoplot.

“We have already handed over the units to the owners and it is the responsibility of the owners themselves to care for their property. But we are making the extra effort to help the buyers safeguard their property,” he said.

Chu said Crystalville knew they were putting up buildings next to a golf range and could have incorporated some protection for the windows in their design.

“I told Song that we will do what we can to stop more balls from landing on their site but it would be impossible for us to give a guarantee.

“We extended our net to the height of 25m on the side facing the plaza. which cost us more than RM120,000 but all Crystalville does is to complain. We have also warned our customers to be responsible and careful when they hit the balls.

“Plaza Crystalville is our neighbour and we will always be open to what they have to say.

“However, we have not been told which section of the shoplots are getting hit because the side of the golf range facing Crystalville has shops along a 150m stretch.

“We have been here since 1996. Setapak is our community and will always work with neighbours. We are open to finding further solutions to golf balls found in Plaza Crystalville.

Large number: Crystalville employee John Chong with some of the hundreds of balls collected over the years.

“It will be easier if solutions can be found by cooperating because putting the entire responsibility on us doesn’t seem right,” he said.

An ardent golfer said it was almost impossible for a golf range of that capacity to fully guarantee that no balls would fly over.

“Unless the owners are willing to spend a lot of money to extend the nets even further. It is not easy as the foundation needs to be very strong to withstand the wind and the weather or it will collapse.

“It also depends on the golfers’ skills. Amateur golfers tend to try out their swings and hit the balls off target. Golfers also like to try out different positions, so it is difficult to control the ball direction,” he said.