If you have walked along Waterway recently, you probably notice the sign telling walkers that Montclair Country Club golfers will use the sidewalk -- as a path for their golf carts for a while. During one of the last big rains, a footbridge was washed out, so this was the Club's chosen option, to get the golfers from hole to hole, until the bridge is repaired.

The problem is that this decision is illegal, even though the Club's Golf shop tells me that the MPOA Board told them it was OK. I called the Prince William County Police, who confirmed that it was illegal to drive golf carts on the sidewalk -- but they were not manned to enforce that law. Yes, that is exactly what I was told. Next I contacted a PWC elected official, who said she would ask the Police about the manning problem they seem to have. On Friday, the Club’s Manager told me he would call VDOT, to see what he could legally do, during this period. But, I have heard nothing from that effort either. It does seem that the Club will continue to break the law and the Police will do nothing about it. No, I am not anti-golfer, but I do think having golf carts coming beside you at speed, along the narrow sidewalk, is very unsafe. Maybe I am in the minority, but I think safety comes first here and with one single exception, the golf carts drive by like I am in the way without slowing down.

If you are concerned about this, please do call/email the Country Club manager and include the MPOA Board on the discussion. I don’t see any work on the washed out bridge, so this situation could be with us for a while unless changed. I won’t offer any legal advice to the Club, but telling the golf cart drivers to stop and let walkers/runners pass, then proceed to the next hole, sure would be a safer option.