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4/18/2011 9:17:42 AM
 
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Section 4: General Subject: Go Green with Golf Carts Msg# 786476
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Q: Would I be in favor of Ocean Pines allowing Golf Carts on our roads?
A: Short answer, Yes. I think your idea is an outstanding one and worthy of consideration.
Comments:
1. I like your rational of using golf carts as a "Go Green" initiative. As you have stated, golf carts are very green and would save the ware and tare on our cars, let alone filling those respective tanks with expensive petrol.
2. If the concept is approved, I like the idea of sales and maintenance being conducted at the golf course. It's a one stop sales and service.
3. The use of carts could be regulated and be a source of income to the community. Safety classes and safety kits could be a revenue generator but I question the legal basis for which OP can enforce a registration of carts. I don't know of any existing precedent for the registration of other road vehicles using OP roads. This point may need further legal review. And, as you have already stated, insurance and liabilities are another legal unknown.
4. However, on the negative side, the same people that would invest in a cart to supplement their local driving to the Yacht Club, Tennis, Pool, or Country Club would also be the same people expecting to use the carts to go to Food Lion or Whisker's. Ocean Downs, or even church on Sunday. Those trips would require sharing the roads outside of OP with traffic on Rt 589. Golf carts are not designed for this kind of heavy traffic or speeds. But, on the positive side, there could be a remedy to minimize competition with cars crossing Racetrack Road. Pennington Commons is an extension of Ocean Pines. If cart owners would be allowed to ride to Manklin Creek Shopping Center to shop at Walgreens or dine at DeNovo's, they will also expect to use their cart to shop at Food Lion or dine at Marina Deck. Since there was never any accommodations made for a pedestrian crossing from Ocean Pines across Racetrack Road at Manklin Creek Road into Pennington Commons, a modification of this intersection by SHA for a golf cart/pedestrian crossing at the intersection is now further justified.
5. Given the argument in #4, one could also make a case for using golf carts to drive to Whisker's. After all, along with the Yacht Club, it is another Ocean Pines local. Access to the restaurant from Ocean Pines across the intersection of Chathell Road and Racetrack Road would be easier than access to Pennington Commons. The portion of Chathell Road to the East of the intersection already has a sidewalk. Golf carts could use the existing side walk and pedestrian crossing.
I believe the concept has merit and would like to see its consideration move forward. Your proposal, presented on the forum, allows a dialog by the community.
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For reference, the above message is a reply to a message where: Joe and Gang, I would like to pitch an idea at the May board meeting, but thought I would get some public feedback here on the forum first. I had it on Power Point but easily cut and paste it without graphics... I’ve pitched it to the 52 members of the Ocean Pines Corvette Club with 2 decenting votes. I feel it’s the elephant in the room and some have likely even tried in the past. But I think the timing is appropriate now, with new open minded members, changes at the golf course, changes in the yacht club and $4 a gallon gas. I also see it as another revenue stream for our association. Let Ocean Pines “Go Green” and use their golf carts [with modifications] to drive on our roads. I know Worcester County owns the roads now but Jimmy Bunting and gang will agree if we want it to fly. I also know the parkway could be a bit fast for them at first so I’ve recommended the speed to be lowered to 30 mph. See my attached power point slides and see if I’ve addressed the issues and effectively mitigated risk. Respectfully, Bill Haase, OPA member since 1989, full time business member and homeowner just off the truck route on the corner of St Martin’s and White Horse Slide 1 Authorize the use of Golf Carts [Cars] throughout the OP community for licensed operators… •Golf Cars will reduce the use of cars for short trips in OP [less fuel] more green
• Golf Cars can double parking capability
• Individual Golf Carts will bring more money to the golf course
• Trailer Fee for those who use their own Golf Carts [free money]
• Less carts needed at the course; lowers wear and tear, extends shelf life
• Potential Golf Car Sales from the Golf Pro shop [Revenue]
• Potential Golf Cart maintenance from Golf Course [Revenue]
• Golf Cars could bring money to OPA and subsidize other accounts
• Mandatory safety class/training from OP police [drive with traffic, same as auto…] $50
• Potential safety kits; OPA sticker, tape, reflectors, triangle, tape, flag etc. [$25]
• Annual safety check & registration sticker [minimum brake lights, tape, etc.] [$50]
• Sets our community apart from all others [or makes us like Villages, Fla]
• Lower “parkway” speed to 30 mph makes our roads safer all around for bikes, walkers etc
• Keeps our people going to our amenities [Golf, Yacht Club, Tennis, Pool, Country Club]
• Adds some more fun to our community; new social clubs, creativity and colors
Embrace the thought and wrap your arms around it; All positive outcomes…
•Slower speeds = Safer community [after 3 days no big deal try it]
–Educate our community and marketing campaign
•Go Green environmentally
–Obvious potential for environmental impact
–Sign of the times [ahead of the curve in this area]
•Go Green with our pocket books for a typical OP household
–One car and one golf car versus two cars
–Saves gas money
[Look at the cars in OP; how many people ride in them at a time]
•Likely revenue stream for OPA
–Golf course trailer fee
–Traffic Control; Registering, Training & Outfitting
–Coordinate with Omni Golf Dagsboro, De [upfront planning coord.]
•Sets us apart from other local communities [Montego Bay]
•Keeps our members going to our amenities
•Adds levity and another social organization
–Parades; It’s got to be fun
–Tricked out cars, displays and demonstrations
•Increases parking capacity at our amenities
•Golf Cars are unsafe vehicles on our roads…
–Who or what would you like to pass on Ocean Parkway @ 30 mph??
•Three cyclists doing 28 mph passing each other trying to go to the next tour-de-France
•Two 13 year olds with ipods in their ears, no helmets, on 49cc mopeds riding abreast
•At dusk wearing dark clothes, Mom and Dad pushing a side by side twin stroller down the street with two cute little girls
•Elderly couple driving a Golf Cart w/ golf bags; brake lights, turn signals, Hi-vis flag and reflective tape
•Lower 30 mph speed limit backlash [It’s only 3 miles, after 3 days, no big deal… try it]
•Back lots have tighter roads [today kids play, bikers bike, walkers walk. Next]
•Night time drivers [reflective tape, brake lights, signals, flags, etc]
•Under Age drivers [must own a drivers license, responsible adults, enforcement]
•Unregistered Golf Cars or Gators, Jazzes etc [enforcement]
•Insurance and liabilities are unknown [golf cars are authorized in 45 states]
•Worcester County owns our roads [And we can bully them I would think]
•Coordination with new golf contractor [add to contract agreement]
•Revenue losses on Cart Rental [lease] vs. Trailer Fee [do the math]
•Maintenance, break downs [OPA-AAA?? Have a plan – traffic issue like cars]
•Crossing RT 589 and driving on golf course roads [Nope can’t— even though geese can]
•New comers and unaware drivers [big signs- We are a GREEN GOLF CARS community]
•Funding for signage or increased personnel [Golf contractor, Police Dept, volunteers]
•Can’t do it year around due to snow and ice [okay- only 9 months no thanksgiving to Presidents day]
•Cell phone use or seat belt requirement… yes to both
•Marketing - campaign plan [embrace it]
•Establish a start date
–[based on goals; signage, trainers, volunteers, stickers, equipment, control]
•Don’t start in the summer
•30 days out, lower speed limit on Parkway to 30 mph
•Set “warning-ticket” speed traps
•Train the community and enforce the rules
–[enforce the marketing and campaign plan]
•Teach the operators and register the Golf Cars $$$
•Control our roads, environment and enforce rules
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OPA Board Meeting - Golf Clubhouse
5/24/2025 - 9:00 A.M. |
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OPA Board Meeting - Golf Clubhpuse
6/28/2025 - 9:00 A.M. |
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OPA Board Meeting - Golf Clubhouse
7/26/2025 - 9:00 A.M. |
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Annual Meeting - Assateague Room
8/9/2025 - 9:00 A.M. |