Golf Fan Sues PGA, Country Club, After Plunge into Unsecured Sewer at Ryder Cup

A man is suing over claims that he plunged into a sewer opening while watching the Ryder Cup PGA Golf Tournament in 2012.

Christopher Ehrlich filed a lawsuit in DuPage County Circuit Court on Sept. 25, against the PGA, the PGA Corp. and Medinah Country Club.

According to the complaint, Ehrlich had purchased a ticket to watch the Ryder Cup PGA Golf Tournament at Medinah Country Club at 6N001 Medinah Road, on Sept. 28, 2012.

The plaintiff claims that he was in the designated spectator section near Hole #6, when he stepped on an unsecured sewer drain cover, causing it to flip up and hit him the left leg.

Ehrlich attempted to break his fall but there was nothing to grab on to, causing him to crash violently into the drain pipe, injuring his left leg, left hip and back, the lawsuit maintains.

The complaint alleges that the defendants -- the PGA, PGA Corp. and Medinah Country Club -- failed to properly establish a walking surface along Hole #6 and to inspect and maintain the openings covers placed on top of the openings.

As a result, the plaintiff incurred considerable costs for his medical care and has suffered severe pain and disability affecting his daily activities, and will continue to suffer future pain.

The plaintiff is asking in excess of $50,000 in damages, plus legal costs.

Attorney Mark C. Egan, of Chicago, is Ehrlich representing the case.

This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed in DuPage County Circuit Court. The details in this report come from an original complaint filed by a plaintiff. Please note, a complaint represents an accusation by a private individual, not the government. It is not an indication of guilt and it only represents one side of the story.