Do you know what it really takes to insure a public golf course in the heart of a city?
Or how one historic fairway misstep or a single pesticide spill could bankrupt an entire municipal legacy?
In this article, you’ll learn the unique insurance risks that come with Savannah’s public golf courses, and how city and county leaders can build protection programs that truly fit the game they’re playing.
We’ll cover:
- The difference in risk between public-private partnerships and county-run golf operations
- Why environmental and civil rights liabilities pose hidden dangers
- What every municipal golf policy must include, especially in coastal cities like Savannah
Savannah’s Two Public Golf Models, One Insurance Challenge
Savannah’s public golf identity is split between two beloved facilities: the historic Bacon Park, a 1926 Donald Ross design recently restored, and the more modern Henderson Golf Club, nestled among wetlands and Southern pines.
But while they serve the same community, their operating structures—and therefore their insurance needs—are completely different.
| Feature | Bacon Park | Henderson Golf Club |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership | City of Savannah | Chatham County |
| Management | Private Third Party (OC Welch Golf Properties) | County-Operated |
| Design | Donald Ross, 1926 (restored) | Mike Young, 1995 |
| Operational Model | Public-Private Partnership | Traditional Municipal |
| Primary Risk | Dual liability for city and operator | Full county liability |
Bacon Park, like other muni-golf operations in Atlanta and Charlotte, reflects a hybrid risk model. The city still owns the asset, but a private firm runs the course. This creates dual exposures, both public and commercial, which demand a layered insurance structure.
Henderson, on the other hand, is county-owned and operated. That means every operational liability—slip and falls, environmental impacts, ADA compliance, and civil rights—falls directly on the county.
Public Golf in Urban Settings: A Liability Gauntlet
Unlike secluded resorts, urban golf courses are woven into neighborhoods, roads, and municipal infrastructure. That’s not just quaint. It’s risky.
1. Pollution Risk Isn’t Optional. It’s Predictable.
From fertilizer runoff to chemical spills, city-owned courses carry major pollution risks. But standard general liability policies typically exclude pollution claims, leaving most municipalities exposed.
RT Specialty reported that chemical spills were the top pollution-related insurance claims at golf courses from 2020 to 2021. Even worse, 86.5% of water samples near urban courses exceeded phosphorus limits due to runoff.
Pollution Legal Liability (PLL) policies are not just a best practice. They are essential. They cover:
- Cleanup and remediation
- Third-party bodily injury
- Environmental lawsuits
2. Civil Rights Liability: A Legacy With Legal Teeth
You may not realize it, but the 1955 Holmes v. Atlanta Supreme Court case that forced desegregation of public golf courses in Georgia still has legal consequences today.
This precedent established a heightened liability standard for municipal recreation facilities, including golf courses.
That’s why Civil Rights Liability Insurance under Section 1983 is critical. It protects public entities from:
- Discrimination lawsuits
- ADA non-compliance
- Equal access violations
It typically adds 15 to 20 percent to premiums but saves cities and counties from potentially millions in exposure.
4 Must-Have Coverages for Municipal Golf Courses
To protect Savannah’s golf legacy, insurance programs must be built from the ground up with public-use risks in mind.
1. Broad General Liability
- Includes endorsements for golf ball damage to nearby homes
- Covers guest property claims such as lost clubs or cart injuries
- Must reflect high public foot traffic
2. Pollution Legal Liability (PLL)
- Covers pesticide and herbicide use
- Includes stormwater runoff into local wetlands
- Required for chemical storage and fuel spills
3. Civil Rights Liability
- Complies with Section 1983
- Shields from lawsuits related to public access and discrimination
- Critical for facilities with a desegregation legacy
4. Property and Equipment Insurance
- Covers maintenance fleets and golf carts
- Includes equipment breakdown for pumps, HVAC, and mowers
- Consider parametric flood insurance, a modern solution that pays based on flood triggers rather than lengthy assessments
A Public Trust Worth Protecting
At the end of the day, Bacon Park and Henderson are more than golf courses. They are symbols of public investment, recreation, and inclusion.
These courses cannot be protected like a private club outside city limits.
Savannah’s municipal golf courses face unique exposures that require a tailored insurance approach. By combining general liability with pollution and civil rights protections, and layering in modern property safeguards such as parametric flood insurance, city and county leaders can protect these cherished spaces for future generations.
Your next step: If you’re managing or advising on municipal recreation assets, make sure you’ve audited your current insurance strategy for coverage gaps. If you’re relying on a standard general liability policy, you’re likely exposed.
