East San Jose neighborhood hit by stray golf balls - San Jose Spotlight

Errant golf balls from Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course frequently fly over catch nets and land in nearby East San Jose neighborhoods. Residents report that most balls land harmlessly, but some occasionally smash into homes and cars, breaking windows and causing property damage. The issue has persisted for years and gained attention when District 5 Councilmember Peter Ortiz directed staff to develop proposals to address it, noting the course operates on city-owned land and should not create financial hardship for residents. Course representatives said they already took steps, including shortening the fourth hole to reduce ball strikes. A resident remains skeptical that changes will fully prevent errant balls.

"For the most part, the balls land harmlessly. But on occasion, residents report they can also smash into homes and cars, sometimes breaking windows or causing other property damage. The longstanding headache received added attention this spring when District 5 Councilmember Peter Ortiz, who represents East San Jose, got involved. In an April memo, he directed staff to draw up proposals to resolve the problem, noting the privately operated course sits on city-owned land."

"" City property should not be used in a way that causes financial hardship to residents," Ortiz told San José Spotlight. "It's already a working class community. The city needs to do something." But even before the policy review got underway, representatives for Rancho Del Pueblo - which draws in tens of thousands of golfers each year - said they already fixed the problem."

"As of late March, the course had completed work to reduce the length of the fourth hole, a 250-yard par 4, which has been responsible for the vast majority of ball strikes. "Never say never, but it should virtually eliminate any golf balls going over the net," Tom Bugbee, chief operating officer for CourseCo, the company that manages Rancho Del Pueblo, told San José Spotlight."

"Still, resident Steve Robles remains skeptical. "(A new) configuration may help. But as we all know, errant balls are still going to happen," Robles told San José Spotlight."

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