Opinion ID: 2198880
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Duty of defendant to give plaintiff due and timely warning.

Text: Defendant contends that the proof submitted by plaintiff fails to sustain any of the charges of negligence alleged in the complaint. As previously stated, plaintiff did not see defendant, and was not even aware of defendant's presence, until after plaintiff was injured. Plaintiff heard no warning, if one was given. Any warning which may have been given by defendant was given at or immediately after defendant struck the ball. Plaintiff was in full view of defendant at the time defendant hit his ball. As an employee of the Golf Club plaintiff was in a position on the course where his duties called him to be. The trial judge found from this evidence that defendant was guilty of negligence in not giving to plaintiff adequate and timely warning before he struck the ball. There was ample evidence to support the finding of the trial judge. Courts are generally in accord that a golfer when making a shot must give timely and adequate warning to any person in the general direction of his drive. Everett v. Goodwin, 201 N.C. 734, 161 S.E. 316; Page v. Unterreiner, Mo.App., 130 S.W.2d 970; Boynton v. Ryan, 3 Cir., 257 F.2d 70. Clearly such notice must be given to such persons when they are not aware of his intended play. Stober v. Embry, 243 Ky. 117, 47 S.W.2d 921. In the case of a warning given at or immediately after the ball was struck, it has been held that it would be a question for the trier of facts to determine as to whether or not the warning was timely. See Povanda v. Powers, 152 Misc. 75, 272 N.Y.S. 619. We think that the question as to whether defendant was guilty of negligence in failing to give to plaintiff adequate and timely warning was a matter for the trier of facts and that his decision in that respect should not be disturbed.