UPDATE: After almost two weeks, the Vestavia Country Club has responded with a statement about golf balls from its course being found at the Vestavia Hills Elementary East playground, forcing the closure of the park for schoolchildren.

In the statement, the country club said it implemented a "play rule" last Friday, Aug. 9, directing golfers further to the green, presumably away from the playground.

"Vestavia Country Club has been an established member of the Vestavia community since 1949," the club said in a statement. "We have enjoyed our close proximity to the East school since our inception and are proud to have several generations of members who have graduated and/or have children currently enrolled. The club will continue to be a courteous and helpful neighbor and, most importantly, invested in the safety and future success of the Vestavia Hills City School system, our children and teachers, and our combined future as neighbors in the same community.

"Safety for our club community, and neighboring children, is a high priority for us all. Vestavia Country Club leadership has been and is currently in regular communications with VHCS Superintendent, Todd Freeman. Our shared goal is to ensure an acceptable resolution for both parties --to have a safe, enjoyable playground as well as a safe, enjoyable golf round for our members. This has been the case for many years. A great deal of investigative work with industry experts and VHSC administration officials is ongoing. To address the concerns raised by VHCS in the most immediate way, Vestavia Country Club imposed a “play rule” last Friday which further directs golfers to the green. Vestavia Country Club is committed to finding a solution and determining the origination of balls on the school property. We will continue to work in partnership with the VHCS system to determine the best long-term solution."

The country club emailed the statement at about 6:30 p.m. on Friday night, Aug. 16.

Here's the original story from Aug. 6:

Due to the redesigning of the golf course at the Vestavia Country Club, golf balls are now landing on the playground at Vestavia Hills Elementary East, causing a portion of the playground to be shut down Tuesdays through Sundays.

“Vestavia Hills City Schools is in regular communication with the Vestavia Country Club as they work to remedy a safety issue on the golf course,” said Vestavia Hills City Schools Superintendent Todd Freeman in a statement released Aug. 6. “Until a solution is in place that will be safe for use, a portion of the playground at Vestavia Hills Elementary East will be closed Tuesdays through Sundays. We appreciate the country club leadership’s shared concern and response in developing a plan to address this safety matter.”

Vestavia Hills City Schools Director of Public Relations Whit McGhee confirmed golf balls have been landing on the playground after the club redesigned their golf course.

School begins Aug. 8 across Vestavia Hills City Schools.

The Voice has reached out to the Vestavia Country Club for comment on this story, and will provide those comments if and when they become available.