Andrea Molberg
With over 1,000 passionate, vocal residents wanting dogs allowed on our golf courses, the SaddleBrooke TWO Rules and Regulations Committee (RRC) responded. The RRC collected comments, queried impacted groups, and asked SaddleBrooke One about their real-life experience.
The result was a SaddleBrooke TWO draft rule, closely imaging SaddleBrooke One’s, which permits dogs on golf paths early mornings and late afternoons. The SaddleBrooke TWO Board approved the RRC’s recommendation for a rule change.
“This a great example of the board listening to the residents’ concerns and acting on them,” said RRC Chair Ray Adams.
The new dog policy was implemented first at The Preserve in late November, and then in stages on the MountainView course while work on the course was being completed. Signage about dog friendly times and “Pet Waste Not Allowed in Trash Bins” were updated. The Golf Committee, Golf Operations, and Patrol all pitched in to make this happen.
Everyone wanted dogs off tees and greens, on leashes, and not disturbing the peace. Initial implementation was considered crucial, and to gauge success, a group of resident volunteers were mobilized to observe what was actually happening. What have been the results? The volunteer observers regularly say, “I don’t have any violations to report.” With rare exceptions, canines and their human companions are following the rules. Patrol Captain Dale Tate agrees, “It’s working.”
For the past few months, Brad Nickum has either walked or driven a cart on nine holes at MountainView golf course three or four times each week. He’s a golfer, annual golf member, golf course adjacent homeowner, and member of the Golf Committee. He takes the condition of our golf facilities very seriously. “I have not observed a meaningful level of problems relating to the golf course dog walking situation. Most walkers and dogs are respectful of our wonderful golf facility. Dog walking is not creating any problems that concern me.”
Volunteer observer Linda Paxton concurs. “Observations of 99% of the dogs and their walkers are very positive. The only negative thing I witnessed were the retractable leashes and their lengths being too long. All in all, the dogs I saw were well behaved, excellent, four-legged citizens, quiet, non-aggressive, and under control.”
Following the recommendations of the Pinal County Animal Control and our own Dog Park Association, SaddleBrooke TWO’s policy requires a six-foot leash length. SaddleBrooke One’s rule is silent on this matter. Neither HOA allows waste in course containers.
Linda suggests, “Relax the rule about the length of the leashes. I saw far more carts breaking the rules by driving on the paths when there aren’t supposed to be any on the front nine yet and children running around on the courses.”
Dog waste is to be transported off the course—no bags left or dumped in bins. Volunteers have been out on the paths observing and carrying extra bags if you need one. Volunteer Maude Ruffin says, “It’s delightful to be able to walk on the courses, because the golfers are so nice.”
Looks like a win for everyone.