Dear Editor:

In regard to the idea of closing the golf course as we need more public space and that this area is being under utilized, here are some points. Next to the golf course is Kah Tai which has walking trails and is about the same size as the golf course. I doubt that it is used a tenth of the amount as users of the golf course. We could improve Kah Tai with play parks and make it more family-friendly like Green Lake in Seattle but we really do not need more parks or property for the city to maintain and keep safe. Also there are the Fort Worden parks, North Beach, Fort  Townsend State Park, Point Hudson and Boat Haven beaches and Chetzemoka Park!

Non golfers may not be aware as to how many people use and enjoy this space and activity.

Often during the summer there are groups going out every 15 minutes. The reason for it being private is that you cannot be hitting balls into pedestrians. There is the Women’s League that plays Tuesday mornings and the Merchants League that plays Tuesday evenings. Three days a week a group from the Unitarian church plays. A week of youth classes are just finishing. There is a biannual little league benefit tournament.

The high school golf teams, both boys and girls. The Rotary Benefit Tournament and the Mitch Black scholarship tournament. Together with four annual best ball tournaments. These activities benefit the community and get people out enjoying the outdoors that may not be walkers, tennis or pickleball players. Jefferson County is the most elderly county in Washington and golf is a game that can be played into ones later years.

This charming little nine hole course has very reasonable rates making it affordable to the average person interested in learning the game. My wife and I were able to get monthly family membership rates that allowed us to learn the game. A lot of our closest Port Townsend friendships were made through this activity. Once taken away we can never get it back!

Will and Jane Peoples