The dangerous side of modern architecure

[John_McMillan]

An tragic accident reported in today's Traverse City Record Eagle -

http://www.record-eagle.com/2005/jun/15conklin.htm

A 19 yr old was killed when pinned under a lawn mower while working at the Bay Harbor golf course in Petoskey.  According to the story, the area being mowed was a 19 foot drop-off at a 49 degree slope.  

One hopes there is consideration of this accident by architects in future designs.

[Lester George]

John,

Who designed the course?

Lester

[Jim Franklin]

Was that the Arthur Hills course?

[Craig Van Egmond]

I believe that is Arthur Hills course that was once ranked 6th on the top 100 modern courses or the top 100 public courses. One of those polls that we like so much here on GCA.

[Ari Techner]

Definetly an Art Hills design.  It is also one of the most disappointing courses I have played and maybe the biggest waste of a great piece of land anywhere.  

[peter_p]

My condolences to the family.

In this case who cares who designed the course, how high it is rated or what we think about the course.

[Ian Andrew]

Before you go after Art Hills or modern architects remember somebody cuts the rough on the right of the 8th hole at Pebble Beach too. Many courses have dangerous areas, when you take the time to think about it you will realize there are more than you first realized.

I agree most with the last post, I feel sorry for the parents.

[Don_Mahaffey]

Sad news.

Doubtful anyone would be trashing the course or designer if the poor kid slid off a cliff at Bandon. It's a terrible tragedy, but don't think it couldn't happen at just about any course you play.

[James Bennett]

My condolences to the family and his fellow workers.

Maintenance can be dangerous because of the slopes involved.  Today's safe slope can be quite dangerous tomorrow following rain.

I am aware of a mower that fell down into a river because of a severe slope, of a greens mower that went into a power slide down a wet fairway slope into a dam (some 30 metres away) and a mower that lost traction on a greens surround (again due to wet slopes) and also finished in a dam.  Fortunately, in all 3 incidents, the operator was able to get off the machine prior to the final flip/fall and did not suffer an injury.

BE SURE, NOT SORRY.  Conduct hazard ID on all tasks, and recognise the impact that changed conditions have.  And perhaps the golfers amongst us should understand why sometimes tasks can't be undertaken by the course staff.

[Lester George]

My condolences to the family and heartfelt sympathy to his friend and the staff.

P.S.

In this case who cares that you have played there and been on that tee box?

See how that sounded?