Neighbors and RCPC Call for Claremont Country Club to Reduce Pesticide Use

by Casey Farmer, RCPC Chair and Morgan Molvig

Rockridge neighbors near the Claremont Country Club are alarmed about a recent neurological study that found that people living within 6 miles of a golf course face a significantly higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. So they’re taking action. 

The study, published in the May 2025 edition of the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA), identified airborne pesticide drift and contaminated dust—not just drinking water—as likely exposure pathways for nearby residents. Morgan Molvig, a mother of a young toddler and resident of nearby Belgrave Place, came across the article and shared it with neighbors close to the golf course—which include many young families, several schools and daycares—to see if others were interested in learning more. 

“It’s jarring and concerning to realize we’ve been living somewhere that’s potentially exposing us to chemicals that will make ourselves or our kiddo or our dog sick,” Molvig said. 

Molvig sent the study to neighbors—including a nearby epidemiologist and mother of two, Dr. Sarah Raifman—and the response was immediate. 

“When there is evidence of risk and serious impacts on the community and reasonable alternatives, we have a responsibility to act,” Dr. Raifman said. “Taking precautionary steps now can reduce exposure and protect public health, while the scientific community continues to refine our understanding of what constitutes a safe distance from pesticide-treated golf courses.”

What started as a single inquiry quickly grew into a small neighborhood coalition focused on understanding potential risks of pesticide exposure and exploring constructive solutions.

Neighbors reviewed pesticide use reports, which golf courses are required to publish under California law. They found that Claremont Country Club routinely applies several chemicals that public health agencies associate with potential health risks, including:

Chlorothalonil, a fungicide classified by the EPA as a likely human carcinogen and linked to kidney and respiratory toxicity; 2,4-D and dicamba, herbicides known to cause endocrine disruption and developmental effects, with documented cases of drift affecting nearby vegetation and leading to human exposure; and Triclopyr ester (Turflon), a synthetic auxin herbicide associated with reproductive and neurological impacts in animal studies.

While these materials are legally registered for turf management, health agencies caution that repeated, low-level exposure—especially for pregnant women and children—may contribute cumulatively to negative health impacts.

Dr. Raifman connected the group with Beyond Pesticides, a nonprofit headquartered in Washington, D.C.that works with allies to protect public health and the environment from toxic pesticides. 

“The goal is not to chase a single ‘safe’ distance from pesticide treated turf, but to systematically phase out hazardous pesticides and synthetic fertilizers,” Rika Gopinath, a policy manager for Beyond Pesticides, said. “Communities have successfully worked with golf courses to adopt organic practices, proving that protecting public health and maintaining excellent course conditions are entirely compatible goals.”

With guidance from Beyond Pesticides and input from neighbors, the group wrote and delivered a letter to the Claremont’s management and board explaining the concerns and requests for changes to their use of pesticides. In the letter, the group requested a meeting to discuss the Claremont Country Club’s turf-management program and consideration of more organic or reduced-chemical alternatives. They also asked the club to post signs along the perimeter fencing 72 hours before and after pesticide applications to allow neighbors to take simple, voluntary precautions such as: keeping windows closed or limiting outdoor play during these times. 

RCPC Chair Casey Farmer is a mom of young children and resident on Carlton Street, adjacent to the golf course and brought the issue to the Rockridge Community Planning Council (RCPC) board, who voted to join the advocacy effort and co-signed the letter. 

The manager of the Claremont Country Club agreed to meet with RCPC and the group of neighbors, though not until Mar. 10. We will report back to the community via The Rockridge News.