A Kitchener man says he’s disappointed in a recent ruling by the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario.
Larry Helm brought a case against Deer Ridge Golf Club to the tribunal, alleging that he was being discriminated against by having to pay for a golf cart.
He has mobility issues, and says he needs the cart to make it through a full round of golf.
Until 2009, Deer Ridge offered him and others in his situation a discount on cart fees.
Since then, the full $19 rental fee has applied.
The tribunal ruled that while having to pay the cart fee may be disadvantageous to Helm, it is not discriminatory.
Club member Jack Schoenmakers says club members are “relieved” by the decision.
“It would have set a dangerous precedent,” he told CTV News.
“If you can afford a membership at this course … then you should be able to afford whatever it costs to play golf.”
Helm agrees that he could afford the fee, but says that wasn’t his main concern.
“It was the disparity that’s being caused by asking a handicapped or mobility challenged golfer to pay a cart fee, because now he’s paying considerably more than the average golfer that can walk the golf course,” he said.
Helm says he plans to sell his membership at the course.
