Owner settles ADA complaint

Golf Course News, Jun 2002

WASHINGTON-The Department of Justice has reached an agreement with Sun City Summerlin Community Association Inc., a Las Vegas-based owner and operator of three golf courses, to make its courses accessible to golfers with disabilities.

Under the agreement, the association will adopt a new policy to prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability and to allow power carts on paths, walkways and greens whenever one is necessary to allow someone with a disability to play on the course.

The settlement resolved a complaint filed by a golfer who requested a modification of the rules that restricted golf car use in areas of the courses where carts of any kind are prohibited, including greens. The complaint filed with the Department of Justice sought a modification of the policy, which resulted in limiting access to people who could walk some distance.

The golfer alleged that prior to the department's investigation, Sun City had refused the request for modification of the policy.

Sun City has established and will maintain a written policy that modifies certain golf car and cart restrictions to allow access for golfers with disabilities.The policy covers all three Sun City Summerlin golf courses, including Eagle Crest, Highland Falls and Palm Valley. The policy also retains golf car restrictions to areas only upon showing that safety is a concern or that the physical integrity of the golf course is threatened.

Recent advancements in golf car technology and horticulture have made it possible to provide access to most areas of golf courses without fear of damage.