Columnist Victoria Sun: Ruling helps clear up cart policy for disabled

Victoria Sun

Wednesday, April 24, 2002 | 9:35 a.m.

Victoria Sun is a Las Vegas Sun sportswriter. She can be reached at victoria@lasvegassun.com or (702) 259-4078.

It was always the rule.

Now they've made it official.

The Sun City Summerlin Community Association, Inc., which operates the Eagle Crest, Highland Falls and Palm Valley golf courses, put in writing its policy on accommodating disabled golfers following an inquiry by the Department of Justice.

In compliance with the American Disabilities Act, disabled golfers will continue to be allowed to drive a cart within 15 feet of the green and on other normally prohibited areas.

"When I arrived, they already had a policy for people with physical limitations, but they never had it in writing," said Highland Falls director of golf Jesse Bridgeman. "All golf courses have to comply with this.

"They're allowed to get closer to greens on certain holes. They're not allowed to get closer to greens when it would be harmful to them. There are holes where it's dangerous for even a healthy person to drive a cart. Whenever there is a safety issue, you have to take that into consideration first."

Though Sun City Summerlin is a mature adult community, Bridgeman doesn't think it has more golfers who need special considerations than other courses in the valley.

"Our residents are in pretty good shape for being seniors," Bridgeman said. "As a collective group, they're very healthy."

And though Nicklaus, 62, believes every past champion has earned a right to play, it won't take a letter for him to stop competing.

"I could have played this year," Nicklaus said. "I could have putted around, shot 80 or 85 and that's probably what I would have done with the way my back has been.

"But do I think that's what I should do at the Masters? No, of course not. I think a guy has got to make his own call and be realistic about what he is doing.

"I think there's a time when a player says to himself, 'I shouldn't be playing.' I think the players will weed out themselves. Arnold (Palmer) did that this year."08

archive