Special kinda stupid here in Baie Comeau Bravo
Snowmobilers on the greens:
Baie-Comeau Golf Club calls for civic-mindedness
Snowmobilers rode on the Baie-Comeau golf course on January 9.
The superintendent of the Baie-Comeau Golf Club is making an urgent appeal for civic-mindedness after repeated snowmobile trips on the course's greens caused significant and costly damage.
The Baie-Comeau Golf Club is facing a worrying increase in snowmobiles riding directly on its greens, a situation that its superintendent, Michel Boudreau, describes as unacceptable.
According to him, the damage caused on January 9 is unprecedented and could have major consequences for the upcoming summer season.
"I have been superintendent at the Baie-Comeau Golf Club for almost five years. We had a problem with an increase in snowmobiles in the early years, but there has been a great deal of civic-mindedness over the past two years," he explained in an interview with Le Manic.
This civic-mindedness seems to have eroded this season.
Despite abundant snow, the increased performance of snowmobiles is accentuating the impact on the course.
"Snowmobiles have become extremely powerful.
They have tracks with increasingly aggressive treads, which means that when they drive over the golf course, there is a high risk of damage to the playing surface," laments Mr. Boudreau.
The superintendent particularly deplores the fact that some snowmobilers use the course to perform jumps.
"People have fun doing jumps, and they land right on a golf green.
And a golf green costs $100,000," he says.
" Right now, we're seeing that there are already tracks that are breaking the protective covers we put on the greens," he adds.
Beyond the costs, the club's management is concerned about the impact on the summer season.
"The beauty of the grass is what makes a golf course so special in the summer.
When you drive over it with a snowmobile, you risk causing damage that is sometimes irreparable or takes a long time to repair," says Michel Boudreau, pointing out that the golf season on the North Shore is already very short.
Some have suggested installing a fence, but this solution is considered unrealistic since the course covers 7 km2.
Even with a fence, snowmobilers could drive over it with the snow and still have fun on the course.
Collaboration
Given the scale of the problem, the superintendent is focusing first on collaboration.
"I'm appealing to people's sense of civic responsibility, I'm appealing for collaboration," he says, inviting the public to report inappropriate behavior.
"Don't hesitate to report anyone you hear about who is vandalizing the grounds."
However, penalties are possible.
"If someone is caught in the act on the golf course on a snowmobile, they could be fined around $800," says Mr. Boudreau.
The Sûreté du Québec has been notified of the situation and plans to take action.
"They will begin snowmobile patrols next week and will appeal to people's sense of civic responsibility," reports the manager.
Despite everything, Michel Boudreau favors a positive approach.
"Let's encourage people to respect the trails and to ride outside of the golf course," he concludes, hoping to protect a site he considers to be part of Baie-Comeau's collective heritage.
By
iceman ·
