GOLF COURSE PEDESTRIANS

Following our recent trip to  Roda i can report on all 3 occasions i played golf there were people using the buggie path along side the 18th fairway

Ladies with pushchairs and cyclists with bags of groceries taking the short cut on returning from Consum.

I just hope no one is injured on the buggie paths because as we all know a golf ball can be a leathal weapon.

This will be reported to Calidona/ Devere in the hoes they take appropiate action

sugar

Whilst I agree that golf balls are definitely dangerous, perhaps it is worth taking a look at this from Roda MasterPlan

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Roda Golf & Beach Resort is laid out in a series of concentric rings around the golf course, from the public exterior to the private, tranquil interior. This ensures that noise, movement and vehicles are kept far as possible from the homes themselves.

As you can see from the Master Plan, the residential area has turned its back on the outside world, in order to face the shared pedestrian areas, gardens, swimming pools and golf course. From the outer boundary, you can access your parking space and from there, walk directly to your home, which faces the golf course that is in turn connected to your own garden by a visible, yet subtle barrier.

The inner boundary consists of a pedestrian walkway that unites all the homes to the clubhouse, providing a green area that is the true heart of Roda Golf & Beach Resort. A relaxed, playful, natural landscape, from where you can access the many leisure areas without having to set foot on tarmac.

The layout of Roda Golf & Beach Resort has been designed with nature and the sun in mind. Connected communities have been specially created, all with access to the green walkway. Everything has been designed so that residents can leave their worries behind and live in complete peace and harmony.

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Para 3 refers to a pedestrian walkway on the inner boundary uniting ALL homes to the clubhouse and facilities.

Does this not indicate an intention to utilize the buggy path for pedestrians or is there another walkway?

Blame Calidona for this, we were promised a walkway/bus service and got nothing, I will always use the buggy path to access the shop/clubhouse - sorry golfers !!!

I have every sympathy for P3/4 owners.

However if a pedestrian is injured who will be responsible.

All golfers are covered by the Spanish federation so they should be covered.

Not sure if they would pick up the bill or Calidona.

If we have a legal eagle amongst us maybe we could have some imput.

Has anyone been stopped by a golf marshal?

when we put our deposit down in the dim and distant past , we were cleary told there would be a jogging track around the parimiter of the golf course , dont know if this is the buggy track or not but i am unaware of anything else around the parimiter of the course  that could be used as a jogging track ,i think if you watch calidonas promotional video does it not show people jogging on the buggy track ?

Just back from Roda and I saw a few people being stopped by marshalls during the three days when I was golfing, which is the only way this can be dealt with as it is a serious accident waiting to happen. One was a woman with a pram and a small toddler walking alongside with her. She was walking down the side of the 17th hole (where three men were playing towards her) it was a miracle that she or her children were not hit by a ball and when she got to the bottom of the 17th she didn't know where to go as she had completely misjudged where the lake was at the back of the 16th green and on the 18th so she then cut across the tenth hole where people were teeing off, putting herself in even more danger as a ball struck from the tee is probably the most lethal if you are only 80 yards from the person hitting it. We spoke to her at the mini market later on and she was from the UK, renting on Phase 3 and was told by the person renting to her that she would not need a car, which is a serious omission of fact. She was very unhappy with her landlord as there were no cars available here when she arrived and realised that she did need a car to safely go to the shops, beach or just for something to eat. Irrespective of what Phase 3 owners were told or say about the access to the clubhouse etc it is very wrong of anyone to rent to people and omit the fact that they will need a car especially when temperatures are in excess of 35 degrees and the walk round the roads is up to 3KM.

If anyone is injured on the golf course my understanding from my spanish solicitor is that the person responsible is the person injured which is why you pay the 3Euro insurance when you play. If the person should not be on the golf course ie is not playing golf and consequently uninsured by the federation then the liability lies with the person and ultimately if they are renting the person renting to them can be sued which is why you need a different type of property insurance which includes public liability insurance in Spain if you are renting out your property. The claim culture which is prevalent in the UK does not exist in Spain as there is a big onus on every person to take personal responsibility and to ensure their own safety and that of their family. 

No matter what owners on Phase 3 were told about access it is very clear that to use the buggy paths or golf course duing daylight hours ie when golfers are on the course is very dangerous and the marshalls need to continue to turn people back and off the course for their own safety.

HughMan I think that if you look at the building of Phase 3 and 4 there is a pathway ie a footpath all along the inside of the villas which when the next phases are complete will join the whole complex but whilst building of phases is still underway these cannot be accessed. When Phase 4B and Phase 5 are complete the distance from Phase 3 will be a lot shorter as the path will take you along all of the villas without having to go onto the golf course and will for some owners in Phase 4 link them to Phase 2 and through Phase 1 which shortens the trip considerably. Not sure if this is what they are referring to but this will cut a lot of time off the journey.  

Don 

I was stopped twice in June but the guy was very understanding of the situation and I continued on.  He came out with a riduculous statement mind you about the use of the buggy path to access the clubhouse/shop, apparantly it has been discussed and they are thinking about only letting residents who have bought the golf rights use the buggy path for access - mental - the reason he gave for stopping me was how dangerous it was - golf rights don't lesson the danger !!!! Typical Calidona BS

The thing I don’t understand is that in the UK there are many golf courses that have public foot paths, Eastbourne Royal for one, where golfers and Joe public seem to have a mutual respect and look out for each other. Of course there is the danger aspect, but if a golfer shouts ‘fore’ if hitting a wayward shot, and walkers take care; what is the problem? Stupidity and arrogance are the dangers on a golf course!! You may as well say, only one golfer plays at a time and let’s take the spectators away at pro games. I have walked from phase 1 to phase 3a many times and it takes around 35/40 minutes. In the heat and loaded with shopping I would think it would be a nightmare. Caladona must take responsibility for this and if there is no legal footpath provided then a mini bus a few times a day should be laid on. 

Cheers All,                                                                                                                                  Mike                                              

Phase 3 and 3b owners are not deliberately using the path to annoy the golfers and I'm sure the dangers of crossing are known to all.  We are trying very hard to get Calidona to accept that this is dangerous in order that they provide an alternative safe route to the amenities, as was promised when we all purchased.  Perhaps all you phase 1 + 2 owners could join in our crusade in putting pressure to get a resolution to this???

I was out at Roda, playing golf with friends at the end of May and we were stopped by a marshall while using the path to cross the golf course from Phase 3B, where I am an apartment owner. Like many others we were also told that we would enjoy access across  the golf course. Now common sense should prevail here - the course was virtually empty and we were not in harms way at all. I understand that rules are there for a reason, but the marshall was unfriendly and pretty hostile. While we were there the course, while in excellent playing condition was pretty quiet and you would think the marshalls would want to try and help make people feel welcome, to encourage them to return and spread the word about great Roda is! After all the commercial viability of the whole development - Beach Club included is of paramount importance to every owner and employee at Roda.

Scottebabe

As a Phase 2 owner I would be happy to support any campaign where common sense prevails. I was in fact offered properties on both Phase 3 and 4 but am very glad I decided to purchase a resale on Phase 2 below developers prices.

My view is that we are not separate communities but all one community trying to enjoy our time at Roda and I agree with other posts that if common sense and a little care was used then the path alongside the 18th does not really come into play for most golfers other than where it joins Phase 3. Notices to take extra care and attention could be placed at this point and as Mike B stated many courses all over have public footpaths running through them with very few incidents as long as golfers and walkers are aware of each other.

Fair Dues

I don't want to appear pedantic but are you referring to the access road running inside Phase 3 and 4 villas as there is no path between them and the golf course.

To me that is not a pedestrian walkway as advertised by Calidona's marketing. It will shorten the journey by a small amount as it runs parallel to the existing outer ring but at Phase 2 and Phase 1it does not continue around the course without some deviation through apartment blocks as both these end up in loops rather then a continuous road.

Even Calidona's video shows joggers on the buggy path so where do we draw the line.

excellent post hugh_man  , common sence should prevail , calidonas promotional dvd does indeed show the buggy track being used by joggers .

 just a thought why are golfers getting stressed about people using the track ? are the fairways not wide enough ?

i would have thought there were a lot more pressing and important issues to address ie at the beginging of the year we were informed the commercial center build was imminent as planning approval had been obtained antbodyany ideas what is happening ?

the new sports facalaties (welcome as they are) appear to have been built on part of the site earmarked for the hotel , are they proposing to move these if and when the hotel is built ? would appear not to be a very cost effective way of doing things . 

As an owner on Phase 3b and a golfer I appreciate the concerns of both sides. I think we all know that Calidonia will do nothing about this unles there is a group action with appropriate legal support. We play in the UK on a De Vere course where public footpaths run through the entire course and used by all people. There have been no injuries in the 10 years we have played there and would agree that common sense should prevail with some well positioned warning signs.

There has no official notice or communication from either De Vere or Calidonia about this issue to owners so until all parties sit down and discuss this sensibly, people will continue to use the path for access.

Let's sort the problem, move on and enjoy the resort.

Dave G

We r 3b owners , we have been  several times and walked over the buggy track, it is necessary at night as any social evenings would be ruined by the long trek home. Security guards should be there for protection not intimidation,  the walk in the dark is not dangerous as we all know Roda is well patrolled and the stars light the way.  People walking should not let guards stop them as to do so would be an assault if the guard had to physically touch someone, stand your ground and let us all support each other, we can not be isolated in this way.

The club house and local bars and restaurants would loose out if we and our guests have to pay taxi fares, they may as well go into town as do this, Roda has to provide free transport if they want to lock us away.

We are just back from Roda.

We Stayed the first part of our holiday on phase 3 WITHOUT A CAR!

Calidona HAVE to do something about this.  It is correct that many golf courses in England have public rights of way and we have never heard of anyone being hit by a golf ball.   This is all to do with insurance. Golfers pay 3 euros for this. walkers would not be insured.  We walked over during the day and did not feel at risk at all.  We only got 'caught ' by security once and made to walk the 2.5 k around the road at the hottest part of the day with no shade for a lot of the way. I actually burnt quite badly on one of my legs due to this.  I could sue!

I can't understand why any 'jobsworth ' would stop people walking at night. That is soooo stupid and intimidating.  Someone with power going to his head!   The only problem at night is dodging the water sprinklers which caused us a good laugh more than once.

This problem has to be addressed by Calidona.  A people carrier or mini bus every 1/4 of an hour or so going back and forth could help - OR - have insurance cover for all built into the price somehow. Surely something is possible.

Apart from that - phase 3 is a lovely part of Roda Golf and people should not be put off renting on it.