An online petition calling for the reversal of a recent policy change at the Carroll Municipal Golf Course that bars children under six years of age from riding in golf carts has collected over 250 signatures in just over a week. According to the petition’s creator, Angie Vonnahme, the change was introduced late last month along with updates regarding course operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
She adds they fully support the COVID-19 mitigation measures, but the new cart rule seemed out of place. Vonnahme says she and her family, which includes two children under the age of six, usually golf in Breda, so she did not really think much of the change until she was contacted by a family friend with a story of how it affected them.
A link to the petition can be found included with this story on our website. Vonnahme says she reached out to nearly a dozen other Iowa golf courses to ask if they had similar policies, and not one had anything resembling this new regulation at the municipal course. A letter sent to the Carroll City Council requests city officials remove the rule and return to their previous policy of allowing children to ride as passengers with adult supervision. Parks and Recreation Director, Jack Wardell, says safety was the driving factor behind the change.
Wardell is not aware of any recent incidents involving children at the course but points out the potential for serious injury does exist. City officials are currently reviewing the policy and consulting with the city attorney and insurance provider to determine what changes, if any, could be made.
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