Recently I was preparing for a beautiful day of golf at the Port Townsend Golf Course. I noticed a man just enjoying the view. I said hello and we started chatting. 

He shared he was from Edmonds and in town to do some boat work. He was early for his appointment, so decided to drive around. He just happened to see the sign for the golf course and pulled in to check it out, since he golfs in his hometown. He said he has been to Port Townsend many times and did not know there was a course here.

Later that day a friend showed me the brochure entitled, “Enjoy Port Townsend.” I was shocked to see no mention of our Port Townsend Golf Course, when the brochure listed numerous other recreational activities.

Why would the city publish a “commercial” for visitors and not include their own municipal golf course?

I decided to pursue this a bit further. I checked out the “Enjoy Port Townsend” Website (enjoypt.com). Surprise!

No mention of Port Townsend Golf Course. Port Ludlow, Dungeness and Discovery Bay courses are listed! It is apparent this is not an error but an intentional decision to exclude the golf course.

I find this not only shocking, but shameful. How can a city totally ignore a business in their own community?

Does the golf course not meet the qualifications for “enjoying Port Townsend?” If the city government leaders put as much time into recognizing and saluting the golf course as they do in trying to get rid of it, they could build it into something more worthy of their “enjoyment” qualifications.

It is time for Port Townsend to celebrate all that makes it a special place to visit — including golf!

Starla Audette
QUILCENE