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Residents report dozens of golf balls striking homes near Manteca course; city says nets raised to 60 feet
Summary
A resident told council she found 31 golf balls on her property in about a month and twice paid a $200 deductible after windshield damage. Public Works said an easement indemnifies the city, nets were raised about two years ago (now 60 feet in most locations), the city angled hitting mats to redirect shots and has not yet installed dividers.
MANTECA — During public comment at the June 17 City Council meeting a Manteca homeowner said golf balls from an adjacent municipal course are striking private property and damaging vehicles; Public Works staff described steps the city has taken and explained limits on city liability.
The resident, who gave her first name as Elizabeth and said she has lived at 433 Benjamin for 10 years, told council she found 31 golf balls on her property over the last month and has twice paid a $200 insurance deductible after windshields were damaged. She said a neighbor cannot afford the deductible and is not driving because of the risk.
"We love living there, but we really need the golf course nets to be raised higher for the safety of us and as well as the community," Elizabeth said during public comment.
Public Works response: Kevin Fant of the Public Works Department responded at the meeting that "there is an easement agreement with the adjacent properties that basically indemnifies the city for golf balls." Fant said the city replaced and raised the net two years ago and that the net is now 60 feet on most sides and 55 feet on the west side. He said staff also angled mats to redirect golfers toward a westerly direction and that dividers between tee mats have not been installed because staff remains uncertain whether the cost would produce a measurable benefit.
Council discussion: Council members asked about additional mitigation. One council member said past experience suggests dividers may not stop balls that come off a full drive and urged exploring other solutions.
What changed: City staff said the raised nets installed about two years earlier have substantially reduced the problem but that some balls still reach adjacent properties. The resident said she and neighbors would like the city to consider further measures because of safety and property damage concerns.
Ending: No formal action was taken at the meeting; city staff identified existing easement limits and described mitigation already implemented. The resident and council members left the matter on the record for possible follow-up by Public Works.
