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About

I only provide expert witness and consulting services related to golf courses, with a specialized focus on golf course safety, operations, and incident analysis. My entire professional background spans over 50 years in the golf course industry across multiple roles, giving me a comprehensive, field-tested understanding of golf course facilities, safe standard of practices and best management practices on golf courses.

I have been retained by both defense and plaintiff counsel in litigation matters and have been deposed on numerous occasions, providing clear, fact-based, and defensible opinions supported by safe industry standard of practice and operational experience. Since 2018, I have actively performed golf course expert work, including accident investigation, premises liability assessment, safety evaluations, and expert reporting for legal proceedings.

My approach combines practical, hands-on operational knowledge with analytical review of incidents to determine causation, safe standards of practice and contributing factors with golf environments.

Over 35 years of safe golf course management and operations experience

Multiple “lenses” to guide investigations and form opinions

Skilled public speaker

Extensive charity outing coordination, implementation and execution

Expert Witness

Providing expert analysis and litigation support in golf course safety, injury claims, and operational negligence cases, specializing in forensic golf course accident investigation, affidavits, and expert reports.

Over 35 Years of Experience

Industry leader with excellent networking, resources, involvement and skills as golf course safety expert, public speaker and golfer.
Proven ability to complete course grow-in, construction and in-house renovations on time and within budget. Industry leader with a solid track record of cross-departmental effectiveness for mid to high-end facilities, as well as proven leadership across multiple
regional and national-level organizations.

Talented, energetic leader in proactively communicating with PGA professional, general manager, general staff, golf course maintenance staff, golfers, guests and members. Certified Golf Course Superintendent (CGCS) with 35+ years of success managing top-conditioned golf courses safely, skillfully adapting to different climatic regions.

Letters of Reference

Specialty Focus

Golf Course Safety & Operations Litigation Consultant/ Expert Witness Support Specialist specializing in golf course accident investigation analysis and reports, golf course signage and safety compliance, driving range accidents golf course risk management and hazard assessment, errant golf ball and property damage claims, slip, tip & fall and serious injury cases, golf car accidents, golf course employee safety, and golf course construction management litigation cases.

Education

B.S. in Agronomy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN; Professional Certification (CGCS) – Certified Golf Course Superintendent, Golf Course Superintendent’s Association of America; Graduate, Syngenta Business Institute (MBA Bootcamp in conjunction with Wake Forest MBA Program); Adjunct Instructor, Blue Ridge Community College.

Curriculum Vitae

In addition to the more formal education listed above, I have been engaged, since 1989, in all kinds of continuing education offerings, things like; webinars, classes, industry sponsored events, conferences and round-tables (as both a participant and spectator). This is also the case with expert continuing education.

It Is the Little Things That Make the Difference.

Carolinas Green
July/August 2017

Image of the golf course at Etowah Valley West on a sunny day.

TurfNet Article

Neuliep Shifts focus from working on a golf course to litigation support for those still in the business

Attorney at Law interview

Steven Neuliep, CGCS: The Standards of (Golf Course) Practice

Associations

What I do

Forensic Golf Course Accident Investigation, Analysis, Reports, Affidavits, Court Appearances, Golf Course and Property Safety Analysis & Training

Golf Cart Accidents

Many factors can contribute to golf cart accidents, including operator error, equipment malfunction inadequate maintenance, improperly designed or poorly maintained cart paths, weather conditions, and insufficient or improper signage. Through detailed forensic investigation, site assessment, and incident reconstruction, we provide clear evidence-based analysis to determine causation and contributing factors. Drawing on over 40 years of golf industry experience, we develop defensible expert opinions that help clarify how and why incidents occurred, supporting litigation, liability assessment, and risk prevention strategies.

Slip, Trip and Fall & Serious Injuries

While golf is a sport and as with many other sports carries some inherent risks, a facility also has a responsibility to provide a safe playing field and mitigate hazards, as the risk or situation dictates. Material selection, proper maintenance, appropriate signage and general safety awareness can all be contributing factors to reducing exposure to unnecessary risks.

Corporate & Fundraising Outing Incidents

Setting the tone for a safe and successful outing starts as early as when the contract is discussed and expectations of all parties should be clearly spelled out. While a shotgun start and unusual formats can both complicate and make an event more exciting, through proactive education and multiple reminders, a safe successful outing can be orchestrated.

Driving Range & Practice Area Accidents

Both the person swinging the club and the playing or driving range companions have an obligation to stand in the appropriate places to reduce the chance of club or ball strikes. While at the same time, there are indeed generally accepted safe golf course management and operations practices that help determine setup, layout and the need to implement additional safety features like nets, dividers or screens.

Golf Club & Ball Strikes

Proper golf etiquette, USGA (United States Golf Association) and the R & A (Royal & Ancient) Rules of Golf all reference/ dictate where golfers should stand in relation to one another for safe golf play. Many factors impact the potential for ball strikes that include; poorly designed golf holes, providing appropriate courtesy to the group in front of you, being aware of your surroundings and blind spots.

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