Zurich U.S. Offers Program For Golf Course Liabilities.

In response to the popularity of golf in the United States, Zurich U.S. has introduced a comprehensive insurance program for private and public golf courses, the company said.

The new golf insurance program offers property, general liability, workers' compensation, automobile and umbrella insurance coverages. Additional enhancements include directors and officers liability insurance; limited pollution-, liquor- and employment-related coverage for public courses; and environmental protection for courses with underground storage tanks built on landfills.

Designed for public and private 18-hole courses with greens fees of $45 or more per person, the program is open to most Zurich producers and initially will be offered in 37 states. Insurance coverages are underwritten by Zurich American Insurance Co. or other members of Zurich U.S., the company said.

Some 26.4 million Americans play on 16,365 golf courses across the country, including 450 new courses that opened in 1999, said Sonjia O'Neill, services segment manager for Zurich U.S.'s Enterprise Risk unit, in a statement.

Along with the sport's burgeoning popularity, the potential for liability from errant golf balls also is rising, according to a recent article in the Wall Street Journal.

Robert D. Lang, a lawyer and golfer who heads the casualty department at D'Amato & Lynch, told the newspaper that golfer vs. golfer lawsuits have increased in the past five years, and he expects more to be filed.