Joseph Bautista, the owner of Legacy Filipino Martial Arts in Daly City, has expressed serious concerns regarding stray golf balls from the nearby Olympic Club in San Francisco. He claims that these errant golf balls pose a significant risk to the safety of children attending classes at his studio.

Incidents and Petition

Bautista has reported an alarming incident from last July when a golf ball narrowly missed hitting his 1-year-old son and another child. “I heard this big thud,” he recounted. “It literally sounded like a hammer hitting the wood. I turn around and see a golf ball bouncing away from me.” Witnessing the near-miss was concerning not only for him but also for other parents present at the time.

In an effort to mitigate future risks, Bautista has initiated a petition requesting the Olympic Club to install a safety net to catch stray golf balls before the upcoming summer golf season increases the likelihood of incidents. To date, he has gathered nearly 30 golf balls that he found around his business premises, including the parking lot and the rooftop.

Community Response

Bautista has communicated his concerns to various officials, including the Daly City Police Department, as well as leaders from San Francisco and San Mateo County. He mentioned that he has been in discussions with the Daly City manager, who has assured him that efforts are underway to address the situation with the Olympic Club.

Despite these assurances, Bautista remains anxious. “It’s just a matter of time before someone gets hit,” he said, emphasizing the potential for tragic accidents if the issue is not resolved promptly as more golfers take to the course in warmer weather.

Olympic Club’s Response

The Olympic Club has acknowledged the safety concerns raised by Bautista and stated that they are actively collaborating with local officials to find a solution. A representative for the club remarked, “We take safety concerns very seriously. Our goal is to ensure the safety of the surrounding community adjacent to our golf courses, especially when children are involved.”