Golfer seeks $100k for rough ride to fifth tee

A golfer is blaming the owners of Elmwood Golf Course for failing to prevent the use of a shortcut on rough terrain between the fourth and fifth holes, according to a personal injury lawsuit filed in Madison County Circuit Court.

Seeking in excess of $100,000 in damages, William McArtor claims he fractured his tibial plateau after getting bounced from a golf cart on a rough ride to No. 5 on Nov. 4, 2007.

McArtor claims Elmwood breached its duty of care and was negligent in failing to clearly mark the paths between greens and tees, in particular, between the fourth green and the fifth tee, according to the suit filed Jan. 17.

The complaint does not indicate where the course is located. There is an Elmwood Golf Course outside of Belleville. There also is a public, nine-hole Elmwood Golf Course located in Washington, Mo. with attributes such as rolling bermuda fairways, meandering creeks and contoured bent grass greens.

McArtor claims the golf course failed to prevent the use of a shortcut between the fourth and fifth hole, failed to warn and caution golfers about the use of the shortcut and allowed rough terrain to exist on the shortcut.

He also is seeking damages from the driver of the golf cart, Stephan Schwartz, alleging he drove the cart in a careless manner.

According to McArtor, his injuries caused pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost wages and a permanent disability.

McArtor is represented by James Gorman of Edwardsville.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Andy Matoesian.