Charleston, S.C. (March 10, 2025) — To support golf course owners and operators as they navigate and battle legal issues, and to keep National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) members aware of current business risks and ramifications, NGCOA will broadcast its next episode of Golf Business LIVE from Binghamton, N.Y., where the legal team of NGCOA member Cazenovia Golf Club is presenting oral arguments in the State of New York Court of Appeals related to an “errant golf ball” lawsuit. The final ruling in this case could have a tremendous impact on golf course owners and operators in New York and beyond.
On Wednesday, March 12 at 9:00 a.m., NGCOA CEO Jay Karen will attend oral arguments at Broome County Courthouse. Afterward at 2:00 p.m., he will move to the offices of Mackenzie Hughes LLP in Syracuse to host Golf Business LIVE and share a firsthand account of the arguments presented and discuss the situation and its outcome with special guest Brad Hunt, a member of Cazenovia’s legal team.
Those responsible for golf course operations should familiarize themselves with this case, and watch this upcoming episode of Golf Business LIVE on one of the following streaming platforms: Linkedin, YouTube, or Facebook (we recommend clicking the reminder/attending button to be notified when the episode is live.)
“I look forward to having a play-by-play recount of the oral arguments with legal counsel on Golf Business LIVE. The result of this case will set a legal precedent that could influence similar court cases nationwide for years to come,” said Karen. “This is why it was essential for the NGCOA to back our member in this matter. The NGCOA will continue to monitor this case and provide updates to members as they become available.”
As background, a 2020 lawsuit claimed Cazenovia Golf Club, a 99-year old public course was negligent in the operations of its facility, resulting in a golfer being struck by an errant golf ball while playing in a tournament. The plaintiff won his case in the lower court, and Cazenovia Golf Club appealed the decision to the Appellate Division of the New York State Supreme Court. NGCOA submitted an amicus brief with the court on behalf of the golf industry and Cazenovia Golf Club. The Appellate court agreed with Cazenovia and overturned the lower court's decision; however, the defendant has now taken the complaint to the NY Court of Appeals. NGCOA submitted a second amicus brief supporting the traditional design of the course and argued that installing physical barriers between fairways is not economically feasible and would fail to offer total protection from errant golf balls.
Within 60 days of the hearing, the Court will issue a decision either affirming the lower appellate court's ruling - which stated that the plaintiff assumed the risks associated with playing golf and determined that there is no merit to his legal claims, and that it is economically unfeasible to add physical barriers between golf holes - or alternatively, reverse the lower appellate court's decision, which would result in this case being tried before a jury in Madison County Supreme Court.
Be sure to join NGCOA to receive ongoing communications about the Cazenovia case and other matters critical to golf course owners and operators.
About the National Golf Course Owners Association
The NGCOA is the leading authority on the business of golf course ownership and management. The association represents and promotes the interests of golf courses as the principal businesses and economic assets of the game of golf. The not-for-profit organization is the only trade association dedicated exclusively to golf course owners and operators. Through advocacy, education and information resources, purchasing programs and networking opportunities, the NGCOA helps golf course owners and operators run more successful businesses. For more information or to join, visit ngcoa.org or call 800-933-4262.
Media Contact:
Renée Flowers, Senior Director of Marketing and Communications, NGCOA, rflowers@ngcoa.org