HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WMBF/Gray News) – A relaxing day on the golf course for some is turning into a nightmare for others living nearby in South Carolina.
There are hundreds of homes around the Legends Golf Course and Resort in Horry County, with many built over the last few years.
However, Daquana Stier and her mother Janel said they are already packing up after less than a year in the community because dozens of golf balls damaging their property.
“My three kids were actually outside playing, and my son said, ‘Mom, duck,’” Stier said. “I had assumed he was going to try and come tackle me or tag me, and I actually heard the golf ball hit the side of the house.”
The mother and daughter, who live in separate homes in the community, said golf balls have cracked their windshields, dented new cars, including one with only nine miles on it, hit their homes and sometimes have narrowly missed hitting them.
The two women started collecting the golf balls that have flown onto or damaged their properties over the last few months instead of giving them back to golfers.
Stier’s mother said she has collected 57 golf balls.
Stier said as the unwelcome collection grows, so does her frustration and fear.
“My vehicles can be fixed,” Stier said. “It’s gonna cost a lot of money, but when it comes to my children or somebody getting hurt or hit by golf balls, that’s not something I’m going to risk.”
The women both filed reports with Horry County police but learned officers can’t do anything unless golfers intentionally try to hit them or their property.
Stier shared her lease agreement, which shows their property management company is not responsible for any damage to their cars.
However, the lease never specifically mentions anything about damage related to golf balls.
Stier’s mother said the damage isn’t worth staying.
“We really wanted this to work out,” she said. “We have thousands and thousands of dollars in damages. It doesn’t make sense for us to pay to get them fixed or even file with the insurance if we’re still living here because it’s a possibility it can happen again.”
Stier’s lease shows she may have to pay up to $2,500 to move out early.
The property management company and Legends Golf Course and Resort were contacted twice and have not yet responded.
Copyright 2024 WMBF via Gray Local Media, Inc. All rights reserved.