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A spectator at a golf tournament who was hit in the head by a ball and was knocked unconscious has filed a lawsuit in Superior Court.
Colm Campbell claims that he is in constant pain and that his life has completely changed after he was hit on the left side of the forehead with a golf ball during the Western Ireland Championship for Amateur Golfers.
It was held at the County Sligo Golf Club at Rosses Point, Sligo four years ago.
He has sued golfer Kevin Le Blanc, at the time one of the best amateur golfers who later turned pro for several years, as well as the golf club and competition organizers, the Golfing Union of Ireland (GUI).
Opening the case, Mr. Campbell’s attorney, Liam Reidy SC, instructed by Damien Tansey’s attorney, said that it was his case that Mr. Le Blanc, who was in the rough on the 11th green and the 12th tee , hit the ball off the green and hit Mr. Campbell. in the head.
The lawyers said they maintain that it was “an errant shot” and that if a shot is missed, there is a fundamental obligation to shout ‘go ahead’ because someone could get in your way.
“It is a key standard that applies to all golfers, from the elite to the lower echelons, particularly in circumstances where the game is being watched by a group of spectators,” said Reidy.
Mr. Le Blanc’s attorney, Noel McCarthy SC, said that in his case it was not a misguided shot but a competent shot and that is why the golfer did not yell “forward.”
He said Le Blanc will say the shot was a perfectly well hit shot and not a wide one that required him to say “go ahead.”
Campbell (65), a father of three from the city of Donegal, filed a lawsuit for the March 28, 2016 incident.
It is alleged against County Sligo Golf Club and the GUI that reasonable care was not taken for the safety of spectators.
There was an alleged failure to warn competition attendees that they should not be located at the site where Mr. Campbell suffered the injury.
It is alleged against Mr Le Blanc, of Donabate, Co Dublin, that he failed to warn spectators, including Mr Campbell, of the dangers of which he should have been aware.
All claims are denied.
It is alleged that there was alleged contributory negligence on the part of Mr. Campbell, who was claimed to be in conversation and not looking at the golfer taking the shot.
It is further alleged that Mr. Campbell did not take advantage of his vast experience as a golfer and did not follow the flight of the ball and adjust his position accordingly.
As proof Campbell said he was just talking and there was a bang and that’s all he remembers.
He said he was kept in the hospital until dawn for observation and that when he was discharged he was in pain. “The next few days were terrible. I was in a lot of pain, it didn’t get better, ”he said.
He said he has constant aches and tinnitus in one of his ears, which is ‘excruciating’ “
“My life totally changed,” he said.
He still plays “a little golf “, but said he is” very afraid of being hit again. “
The case before Judge Bronagh O’Hanlon continues next week.
Online editors
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