Yelled At On Our Walk

[blandino]

We have recently moved the daycare back to our home after renting a home for the daycare.

Our house backs up to a golf course, and there is a side entrance to the course from our street. We used to take the kids for walks on the golf course, not far just the small stretch that is behind our street. It is nice because the can have the freedom to walk 2-3 feet in front of me and I don't have to worry so much about cars, etc.

We had a former DCM who worked for the golf course, and we had asked years ago if it was alright to take the kids for a walk and to walk/jog ourselves and she said it was perfectly acceptable.


Today we walked maybe 60 feet of the golf course, to the bridge and back again. On our way back, I saw a golf cart coming so I had all the kids step to the side - thinking this golf cart would pass us. And...

Man: are you a member here ?
Me: no, we just live on street over.
Man: you need to get these kids off the golf course, unless you are a member.(yelling)
Me: We asked permission from a friend who works here and she said it would be alright.
Man: who is your friend ?
Me: I would rather not say her name, to avoid getting her in trouble.
Man: what is her name ? (yelling)
Me. **** *******
Man: I don't know her. Listen I am the owner here, and I said get these kids off the golf course. They could have been killed, that is so dangerous. (still yelling)
Me: There is no one out here golfing, I wouldn't take them if anyone had been out here. I am not trying to be disrespectful, I just want clarification - so we can never be out here ? Even to walk for exerscise ?
Man: No
Me: okay, I will take them home and not be back.

I came home and started crying. He was so mean and had no reason to yell. And it say it was irresponsible of me upset me. There was not a sole on the golf course, and all the children were directly by me, there wasn't any danger. I really had checked with the old DCM to make sure it was alright. When I got home I realized that the country club had changed hands last year, and this was our first walk since then. If you could see the short stretch of path we used, you would see how ridiculous it was. Also, this isn't a fancy country club it is a super relaxed family style place. None of the members would have cared at all.

I am not complaining that it is against the rules, just that he had to handle it so poorly, and especially in front of the kids.

[MsLaura529]

Ugh, how frustrating, and rude. It seems like he could have done it in a nicer way, instead of yelling. Sorry you had to experience that.

[Unregistered]

Quite a few years ago there was a young boy playing in his enclosed back yard which was on the perimeter of the country club golf course. He was hit on the head by a stray ball. He was in a coma for several days until the swelling in his brain went down. He was left with a weak side of his face and speech problems.

[preschoolteacher]

I can see both sides. I totally agree that being on a golf course is really dangerous. Golfers hit far... not knowing what's over the next hill. People drive all over on golf carts, coming up and over hills fast, not expecting to see a kid on the green. Sometimes golfing involves drinking.

However, I totally see your point. No one was there... it's an open space, you didn't go far... But I think the man wanted to make a point that kids can't be there. It was safe today, but it might not be safe tomorrow or the next time the kids are out there. He also doesn't know you. You are probably a very responsible, safety-minded person... but for as much as he knows, you might be a careless person and a liability for his business.

I get that it's a family friendly place, but that doesn't mean kids are allowed to walk out on the green BUT... he should not have yelled at you like that. It's scary for the kids and rude to you. It could have been handled much, much better. As for the golf course being a family friendly place, the way he handled the situation doesn't reflect well on that.

Sorry that it happened to you!!!

[daycarediva]

I'm sorry that this happened to you, especially in front f the kids. I think he handled it very, very poorly. I understand his point, it's a liability issue for him. The same reason I won't allow the neighbor's grand children to play on my property.

Why now just come over, and ask that in the future you not walk there? Grumpy old man!

I also know you would never put your littles at risk. :hug:

[daycaremum]

I think the upsetting part was not that the OP couldn't/shouldn't walk there, it was the way the owner spoke to her. She had been told by an employee that it would be okay. The owner (who should be nice to people since he should be interested in drumming up business, not scaring it away) could have informed her far more politely that it was dangerous and that she did not in fact have permission to be there.

[butterfly]

:hug:

[e.j.]

I can understand why he wouldn't want you and the kids on the grounds of the golf course but he could have handled it much better than he did. He was just plain rude to speak to you the way he did. Sorry you had to experience that.:hug:

[MyAngels]

That was a totally uncalled for, rude way to handle it, but you'd understand his concern if you'd ever seen me golf. I once almost hit myself with my own ball. Long story, involving a willow tree, a golf cart and a 9 iron ::.

[Familycare71]

Mean people ...stink! :hug:

[Leigh]

We have recently moved the daycare back to our home after renting a home for the daycare.

Our house backs up to a golf course, and there is a side entrance to the course from our street. We used to take the kids for walks on the golf course, not far just the small stretch that is behind our street. It is nice because the can have the freedom to walk 2-3 feet in front of me and I don't have to worry so much about cars, etc.

We had a former DCM who worked for the golf course, and we had asked years ago if it was alright to take the kids for a walk and to walk/jog ourselves and she said it was perfectly acceptable.


Today we walked maybe 60 feet of the golf course, to the bridge and back again. On our way back, I saw a golf cart coming so I had all the kids step to the side - thinking this golf cart would pass us. And...

Man: are you a member here ?
Me: no, we just live on street over.
Man: you need to get these kids off the golf course, unless you are a member.(yelling)
Me: We asked permission from a friend who works here and she said it would be alright.
Man: who is your friend ?
Me: I would rather not say her name, to avoid getting her in trouble.
Man: what is her name ? (yelling)
Me. **** *******
Man: I don't know her. Listen I am the owner here, and I said get these kids off the golf course. They could have been killed, that is so dangerous. (still yelling)
Me: There is no one out here golfing, I wouldn't take them if anyone had been out here. I am not trying to be disrespectful, I just want clarification - so we can never be out here ? Even to walk for exerscise ?
Man: No
Me: okay, I will take them home and not be back.

I came home and started crying. He was so mean and had no reason to yell. And it say it was irresponsible of me upset me. There was not a sole on the golf course, and all the children were directly by me, there wasn't any danger. I really had checked with the old DCM to make sure it was alright. When I got home I realized that the country club had changed hands last year, and this was our first walk since then. If you could see the short stretch of path we used, you would see how ridiculous it was. Also, this isn't a fancy country club it is a super relaxed family style place. None of the members would have cared at all.

I am not complaining that it is against the rules, just that he had to handle it so poorly, and especially in front of the kids.

It's terrible that you were treated this way. If it makes you feel better, he was probably worked up out of concern for the kids' safety. A golf ball COULD kill one of them, and you just don't see them coming. Just because no one was in sight, doesn't mean no one was golfing. Again, I feel for you-there was no reason to treat you that way, but he probably was concerned for the kids and (probably more) about liability should one of them be hurt or killed. I got hit by someone else's ball a few years ago and missed a week of work and went through a YEAR of treatments for it-I wouldn't want the kids on the course, either.

[blandino]

Yes, you all hit nail on the head. I am totally more upset about his reaction rather than not ring allowed to walk on the property.

I totally get the liability factor, but If you could see the area of the golf course I am talking about, it really isn't even remotely close to any of the holes, or where members even go. It is more of a path way to the actual course. I would say the danger is really no more than had we been walking on our street and a golf ball came flying through. But I totally respect his right to decide who is on the grounds, but his manner was so out of place.

[Angelsj]

I find this interesting:
Man: are you a member here ?
Me: no, we just live on street over.
Man: you need to get these kids off the golf course, unless you are a member.(yelling)

If he is truly caring about the kids, what does being a member matter?? Sounds like a cranky old guy to me. And I agree, no way to drum up business.

[Blackcat31]

I find this interesting:
Man: are you a member here ?
Me: no, we just live on street over.
Man: you need to get these kids off the golf course, unless you are a member.(yelling)

If he is truly caring about the kids, what does being a member matter?? Sounds like a cranky old guy to me. And I agree, no way to drum up business.

My Dh was a golf course superintendent for years. When it comes to golf courses, men are VERY particular about it.

Even walking on the grass is a "cardinal sin".....

I am sure he asked about membership because when it comes to private country clubs ONLY money talks and paying for the right to be there is HUGE.

NOT saying I agree, but I have spent a TON of time on golf courses and this guys' behavior is par for the course. (LOL! Sorry....I couldn't resist )

[Emsdayhome]

frustrating for sure, and he shouldn't have yelled at you especially in front of the kids....BUT...... for liability and insurance reasons, you can't go onto a golf course without being a paying member, I totally respect that. He'd be screwed if anything happened to you or the kids while on HIS property . Part of membership fee pays for insurance and that kinda stuff.

Sorry that happened, but your friend was wrong in saying you could use the space. Is there a park or soccer field near by maybe?