While I am not a golfer, I have several connections to the golf course, and believe that it is a valuable asset for our community and should be supported by the city.
As a member of Port Townsend …
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While I am not a golfer, I have several connections to the golf course, and believe that it is a valuable asset for our community and should be supported by the city.
As a member of Port Townsend Sunrise Rotary, I have appreciated working with Gabe Tonan through the years as we plan and carry out one of our major community event fundraisers, “Driving in the Dark.”
He helps and supports our club in every way that he can. Because he views the course as a community asset, we can use it for an affordable fee. He assists our club in recruiting teams, makes the clubhouse available for staging the event, providing a meal for the golfers, and hosting our raffle.
COVID-19 has forced the cancellation of many of our fundraising events, but Gabe is working with us to create a safe and compliant event where local people and families can come together for an evening of fun, where our club will raise funds needed to support our community in this time of need.
As a former teacher at Port Townsend High School, I grew to appreciate all that Gabe gave for the school’s golf team, both as the golf team coach and golf club manager. He made golf accessible to any student who was willing to try. He encouraged students who had not found success in other avenues. Students respected Gabe as a coach and worked hard to find success.
When changes in Fort Worden parking and management changed the ability of the PTHS Cross Country team to hold its meets in the bunkers, Gabe stepped forward. He now makes the golf course available for cross country meets each fall.
Again, I am not a golfer, but I have friends who are. They tell me that they are able to golf because the Port Townsend golf course is close to home and affordable. The management makes them feel welcomed and valued.
In light of the city’s history of mismanagement of community resources, as evidenced by the Carmel apartment building that still sits unused at the end of the parking lot of Grace Lutheran Church, on golf course property that was sold for $1, I strongly oppose any movement by the city of Port Townsend to change the use and management of the Port Townsend Municipal Golf Course.
Lois Sherwood
PORT TOWNSEND
