Cary relaxes noise rules for golf courses

In a 4-2 vote, the Cary Town Council put into place new rules that allow mowing and other lawn maintenance to start at 7 a.m. on the weekends during the fall and winter months, two hours earlier than a previous ordinance.

During the spring and summer, the ordinance will allow golf course greens keepers to begin mowing, weed trimming and leaf blowing as early as 6 a.m.

Bob Butler, a resident of Prestonwood Country Club, said he was harassed in June after speaking out against the new ordinance. Butler used his cellphone to video five mowers circling a tee outside his bedroom. The timestamp on the video was 6:15 a.m.

The general manager at Prestonwood denies any harassment ever took place. He said he's not looking for a fight, but says it’s impossible to keep the greens pristine under current regulations.

Deputy Cary Police Chief Tony Godwin studied the issue and recommended the council change the law to reflect a widespread practice already in place.

Golf course officials say the new law would clarify what's allowed and when but insist it wouldn't change daily maintenance practices.

Council members said Thursday they plan to ask for a report next year highlighting any complaints they get about the ordinance changes.