Nope, I don’t play golf. But this story has been hounddogging me, so this is going to be kind of a Soapbox Darby ditty.
As a kid I built a miniature golf course out of popsicle sticks (those were the clubs, we used marbles for the balls ) down at the reservoir, or the “Rez,” as we called it. Charged a quarter to play and got a pretty good neighborhood turnout.
But anyways, down in Washington, D.C., the federal government is ruining the East Potomac municipal golf course. This is an old-school course with easy access and low greens fees. The mayor calls it the “People’s Country Club.” It’s where regular working folks come to play, socialize, and enjoy a little banter. Generations of people have learned to play golf here.
The place has 36 holes, a putt-putt course, a bike trail, a playground, and a picnic area. Something for everybody. But now the Feds want to turn it into a championship course geared toward the pros and the big shots. In other words, toodeloo to all the regulars.
And get this. The National Park Service has already cut down 529 healthy, mature trees. Who in the hell does that? I always thought we were supposed to preserve those beautiful old trees, especially in a place that generations of locals have enjoyed.
All I gotta say, and I know I ain’t got no say, is that it’s about time we started looking out for the regulars instead of the D.C. hotshots and highly paid pro golfers. Keep your dukes up.
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