A GREENKEEPER is suing one of the world’s oldest golf clubs for £150,000, claiming he was badly hurt after being told to cut the grass by swinging a hover mower on a rope.
Derek Bond alleges he had to cut grass on a steep slope at Peterhead Golf Club by swinging the 23kg (51lb) mower from side to side using a rope attached to the handle. He said he fell down the slope and injured his leg so badly he needed hospital treatment and considerable time off work.
The Aberdeenshire links course – which dates back to 1841 and bills itself as the 18th oldest club in the world – denies it is at fault and claims Mr Bond did not report the incident for months.The accident is said to have happened on a steep, mossy slope next to the tenth hole – known locally as “the Jenny’s” – on August 19, 2009. Papers lodged at the Court of Session in Edinburgh reveal that Mr Bond is claiming £150,000 compensation plus expenses from the club.
Lawyers for Mr Bond claim in the papers: “He was instructed by the head greenkeeper, Hugh McLatchie, to cut the grass to a height of two inches on a steep slope at the side of the green at the tenth hole of the course by using a hover mower, swinging the lawnmower across the slope with a rope that had been attached to its handle,”
“The momentum and exertion of swinging the lawnmower by the rope whilst standing at an angle on the steep slope caused Mr Bond to overbalance.
The lawyers say the lawnmower was being used inappropriately and claim greenkeepers were regularly told to carry out the “inherently unsafe operation” of cutting grass by swinging the lawnmower.
Lawyers for the golf club claim the amount of damages is excessive and point out that Mr Bond carried out a “physical role” at the club until November 20.
Mr Bond now works as a self-employed landscape architect, and Gordon McBean from Thorntons Solicitors, who are representing Mr Bond, confirmed: “Litigation is ongoing in the Court of Session and we hope to achieve a fair settlement to compensate Mr Bond for his injuries and resultant losses through ongoing dialogue with solicitors appointed by Peterhead GC’s insurers.”
