To the editor,
I drive by Ray Richards Golf Course a couple of times a week. Every time I go past the course I tell myself I should write to the Herald and vent about the golf course closure. So here it is.
I moved here in 1991. Being an avid golfer (I didn't say good), I was pleasantly surprised to have two courses right in town: Lincoln and Ray Richards.
Ray Richards was only a nine-hole course. It seemed a little longer than Lincoln. The length did not make the course more difficult, because the trees were just saplings. A person seemed to always have a shot at the green. Someone told me the trees just wouldn't take hold.
Two summers ago I was hacking my way around the course and thought how this course was finally going to reach its full potential and resemble what the designers had in mind. It was just too good to be true.
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North Dakota's Legislature tightened up the state's budget, affecting everyone, including the universities. UND had to cut some sports program to satisfy the budget cuts (they cost UND money). They closed Ray Richards (which made UND money). Isn't that a good thing? It wasn't much, but it wasn't costing UND a dime.
If the course made money, that means quite a few people in the community used it. Does UND ever have the community in mind?
Also, not that long ago, the clubhouse was renovated. Shouldn't we enjoy it for more than a few years. I want a checkbook like UND's. The course sat idle all last summer. Why? Lots of anti golfers at UND? Profitable programs don't fit UND's financial plan?
UND is not upholding the spirit of the wishes of Ray Richards and Co. That should worry future donors. Isn't UND looking at moving or tearing down eight buildings? Maybe they should take care of the stuff they already have.
Yes I am a disgruntled golfer. But who doesn't like trees and grass? I think we have enough apartments, strip malls and office buildings.
They also use the course for cross country meets-or did they cut that, too?
Keith Petron
Grand Forks
