LETTER: Don't minimize golf's worth

This responds to the reader who reacted to PWC’s consistent record of losing money running golf courses. The reader’s rant decried that golf is a “waste of time, space and resources” and is basically
for the lazy.

The reader is obviously inexperienced about the game of golf and unknowledgeable as to its benefits. The sport offers an opportunity to millions in the U.S. to get out of the house or office and get some
exercise, to play at a competitive level or simply enjoy a round to accomplish an improvement of one’s game.

True, golf is simply hitting a little round ball, following it, and repeating the process until the task is completed; however, it is the sport that teaches honesty, integrity, and strict adherence to rules, which
in itself is a true test to many. In how many sports do the players at the professional level continue to earn huge sums of money even when they can’t perform on the playing field because of a stubbed
toe, shooting themselves with illegal handguns or being kicked out of the sport or off the team for “actions detrimental to the team?” Not golf.

How many sports require that you penalize yourself if you violate the rules of the game, instead of requiring a referee, umpire or video reply to determine the outcome? Golf does.

And, how many sports have players disrespecting their opponents and their own teammates, trash talking, taunting and throwing punches and cheap shots, all of which disgrace their respective sports?
Not golf. As Payne Stewart was often quoted, “If you can’t shake hands with your opponents and still be friends, you’ve missed the point.”

Golf is one of those activities that a parent and child can participant in as a classic bonding experience and time to share. It is also noted that many professional golfers have established trusts,
foundations and camps worth countless millions of dollars, providing tens of thousands of underprivileged and handicapped kids an opportunity to swing a club, hit a ball and provide a learning experience
and pat on the back that they may otherwise never experience.

The reader asked, “Who needs golf?” The answer is obvious.

BRUCE WOOD

Manassas