Town Council Bans Golf at Glen Farm

Golfers at Glen Farm are being penalized, but not for their handicap.

In an overwhelming majority vote Monday night, the Town Council banned golfing in the special events field at Glen Farm.

The vote was 5-1 with Councilor Karen Gleason in opposition. Councilor Jeffrey Plumb was absent.

The vote was cast following a lengthy discussion about the safety of the sport, or at least using the field as a driving range so close to horse trails and hikers.

The request to ban golf at the sports complex was made by Portsmouth Police Chief, Col. Lance E. Hebert.

"Due to the recent complaints, I think it's time to ask for no golfing on the fields," Hebert said. "It's a safety hazard. I'm a golfer, but I go to the driving range."

The police chief said there were reports and complaints about several amateur golfers using the field for practice, as well as leaving the fields without taking their golf balls.

"The problem is that we have too many people designated to use the fields," Hebert said.

"You don't want to mix youth sports and golf balls," said Town Administrator Robert Driscoll.  

Glen Farm is divided into six different areas, including the Gardner Seveney Sports Complex, special events field, Brown House, utility field, polo field and the equestrian center.

Each section is used for a particular purpose, including youth sporting events. The polo field is also leased by the Newport International Polo Club.

A small section of the special events field, while not marked by signage, is reserved for golfing, according to the Town Council.

The section is located not far from hiking trails, as well as trails for horse riding.

"I think it's time to ban golf there," said the police chief. "There are kids down there. There are horses."

The Town Council presented several alternative suggestions before casting a final vote.

"Perhaps we could put up signage," said Councilor Dennis Canario.

"Maybe we could find another space of open land," said Councilor Keith Hamilton.

The town administrator said he was unsure if and where another piece of land could be used as a driving range.

One town resident suggested allowing the golfers to use the field in the morning and outlaw the sport after noon.

"You can't penalize the golfers," Canario said. "We can't discriminate, and say volleyball is good and golf isn't."

 "It (Glen Farm) belongs to the people," said Councilor James Seveney. "It belongs to everyone."

The Town Council eventually voted to ban golf at Glen Farm and asked the administrator to find another section of public land to use as a driving range.

"If we give the golfers a place, maybe they'll take care of it," Hamilton said.

The ban at Glen Farm goes into effect immediately. For a fee, residents may still use any one of the town's three public and semi-public golf courses: Green Valley Country Club, Montaup Country Club and the Newport National Golf Club.

About 8-9 years ago, a proposal to ban golf at Glen Farm was brought before the Town Council. The proposal failed then, said the town administrator.