Dear Editor:

I’m appalled after reading Lloyd Mullen’s article in last weeks’ Leader.

In it he stated that Mayor David Faber has opined the sport of golf is declining.

National Golf Foundation statistics: The industry has had nine straight years with more than 2 million beginners, with the past three topping 3 million. 3.4 Million Juniors played golf on a course in 2022, its highest level since 2006. 25 percent of on-course golfers are women. Females represent a disproportionately higher percentage of beginners (41 percent), juniors (37 percent).

2022 ranks among the top four years for U.S. play on record.

The mayor, who is part of the group that is to determine the fate of a 100-year-old institution, needs to do a little research, so he can make an informed decision.

And it doesn’t end there, the publisher of our local newspaper also is guilty of spreading the lie by quoting misinformation. Haven’t we seen enough of that in politics?

As for the decline in play at Port Townsend, after being neglected for years, it is unable to provide a serviceable product. Down the street, Discovery Bay GC has seen an increase in play, as have nearly all other courses in the state.

As for the proposed hybrid version, there is absolutely no chance of finding a sucker to take on the lease for such a venue. The best solution: put a relatively small amount of money into the existing course, to fix the irrigation, buy better equipment and fertilize the grass. Estimates of 4 and 5 million dollars to “fix” the course is ridiculously out of touch – it’s a neighborhood golf course and doesn’t need to be a resort-class product – just playable.

Bob Marlatt, Inside Golf Newspaper