Royal St. Patrick's HOA

It's easy to think about all the wonderful things that come with living near a golf course, but it's not always rainbows and lollipops. Below is a sampling of questions the owner of golf course receive from people before they buy, build or rent. Hopefully this helps...

Is the Golf Links and Developer Intertwined?

The land developer is completely separate from the Golf Links. Purchasing land, building a home, renting an apartment does not qualify you for any added benefits as it relates to the Golf Links.

Is This a “Golf Course Development” Like You Might Find in Florida?
 
It started as a golf course development under a single owner in 2003. From the beginning, the home building was marginal and the Great Recession of 2008 killed the vision. The golf course was supposed to be an amenity that thrived on the surrounding build out. With no build out, the golf course had to pivot to a new model of sustainability leaving the golf course / development theory behind. Nick Stephens who ran the golf course since inception in 2003, became the owner in 2012. The Golf Links has been successfully operating under that new model for the last 15 years. The adjoining land has had many other owners since its collapse. In the Fall of 2020, the latest owner started up construction again. The golf course has no plans to change its operation to revive the original vision. So…no, this is no longer a typical golf course development like you may find in Florida. 

How Should a Home Owner Think About the Golf Course Operation?

The Golf Links and Crosswind Grille is a public golf course and restaurant open to all. While RSPGL offers season passes, the vast majority of play each day are daily fee golfers, outings and leagues. The course owner is totally focused on his golfers, and he runs an affordable efficient operation and your house is close, which is cool.  

Do I Receive Special Privileges, Advance Tee Times, Rates, Discounts For Living Near Course?

No. The course is public and treats everyone with equity.

Can I Walk on the Golf Course Paths or Practice on Holes Near My House?
 
No. Though it looks like a park…the golf course is PRIVATE PROPERTY, and the only people allowed on the course are paid players and RSPGL staff. For liability reasons and respect for the golf course owners customers and property, there will be no trespassing allowed. That includes the off-season. If you want to be on the Links… Come play golf or work here.

Can I Own My Own Golf Cart, and Drive It On The Course?

No

Are Memberships / Season Passes Available?

Yes. Because of robust public daily play, outings and leagues, membership is not huge component of our logistics. With growth of area, membership will certainly grow. Members who live around course are prohibited from walking out their back door to play. For liability, control and respect to daily fee paid customers, all rounds must begin at clubhouse, and all practice is done at practice facility. No exception.

Is It Dangerous?

The law of probability says there are areas along hole corridors that will see more balls than others. These are not Tour professionals in your backyard, anything can happen. Whether you are sitting on your patio, mowing your lawn, or your kids are picking dandelions, there is inherent risk with being outside. When you buy next to a course, you accept the risk.

What About Golf Ball Damage To My House?

A golfer with a conscious has been known to ring a doorbell, or ask us at clubhouse for your contact info. The vast majority don’t think twice. Living alongside a golf course comes with that risk. The golf course owner is not responsible, (no matter how mad you are). My best advice, it’s going to happen…try to take it in stride.

Waiving Your Privacy?
 
30,000+ people will pass by your backyard yearly. Some of those people will even be “in your yard” retrieving their golf ball. You paid extra for your view, the last thing you plan to do is cover it. Plus the HOA can restrict your landscape plans if they will be an impediment to your neighbor’s view. Understand that golf course living means you waive your idea of privacy from golfers and your neighbors. 

It’s Nosier Than I Would Have Imagined? 
 
The rumble of traffic on Both Hwy 41 and Hwy U create a constant white noise that you may get used to. What often catches residents by surprise, is how noisy the golf course can be. Mowers work before sunrise. Beverage carts and utility carts are all gas powered and are noisy. Speaker systems on clubhouse are often playing with early morning events. Yet golfers create the most noise. Every 10 minutes another group appears near your backyard. Marry alcohol with the invention of portable speaker systems, playing golf isn’t the quiet past time it used to be.

It’s My Yard, Can I Do What I Want?

One of the reasons you want to live on a course is for the view. The owner of the course is also into views. He is there to protect the view of his golfers. Your home and lot becomes the golf backdrop. There are covenants to protect the course owner’s guests from unsightly views. The course owner also has a permanent seat on HOA board which makes decisions on landscape plans, enforcing covenants, or taking exception to an unkept exterior. It’s a circle. You have an incredible view, because course owner can afford to make it beautiful. He gets money from golfers to maintain the view. Golfers come because it’s beautiful. As soon as it’s ugly, golfers won’t come, then there is no money to maintain, then a residents view and value erodes. The course owner is proactive if he believes your backyard will be a detriment. It’s how the circle works.

What Are They Always Spraying?
 
The beauty of a golf course is not luck. Fertilizers, regulators, pesticides, fungicides, weed control, are sprayed both proactively and reactively. Living adjacent to a golf course means you accept this as routine.