Minnesota Golfer - Spring 2017 - 35

BACK
PRESIDENT'S
DESK
The Open Door
of Muni Golf
* BY BARB HANSON *
I
grew up playing golf at public golf courses: two city
municipal golf courses-Hiawatha, in south Minneapolis,
and Fort Snelling, next to the airport-and the
old Edenvale Golf Club (now Bent Creek) in Eden Prairie.
Perhaps you did, too. I learned the basics of the game by
following my parents around the course a few times. Then
when the bug really bit me, I took some lessons and learned
more about the game. My mom and her buddies would play
golf most Thursday mornings, and if they didn't have a full
foursome, I would be invited to play with them. I really don't
remember that anyone was very good; they just loved to play.
I was very fortunate that my city high school had a girls'
golf team. This was prior to Title IX, so the opportunities for
girls' sports were very limited. I think the only other girls'
team at my school was a badminton team. A couple of the
girls on our golf team had cars, so after school, we would
pile in and head to Meadowbrook, another of my favorite
city munis. Our coach was one of the gym teachers at our
school, but I don't remember her being very involved. As a
team we just had a great time together, laughing and goofi ng
around while playing nine holes. We were horrible golfers,
but we were playing, having fun and making lasting friendships.
There were only three other city high schools that had
girls' teams, and two of them were even worse than we were,
but we had regular meets, and from those meets, I learned
many lessons about competing and about match play.
Another golf course close to my heart is Detroit Country
Club, a course I played often through the years as my family
had a cabin in the Detroit Lakes area. One of the most
impressive things I witnessed there was the commitment to
the youth of the community. Juniors have been given access
to the course and nurtured in their development as players,
and Detroit Lakes is well known for its state high school record
(three girls' team wins led by fi ve-time individual girls'
champ Kate Smith). I know many other courses that have
made the same commitment to junior programs and adult
beginner programs. These programs and opportunities are
so important to the future of the game.
I'm so happy to see the municipal golf courses of the Twin
Municipal golf courses are a
treasure [...] for all who value
green space, beauty and
recreation in an urban setting.
Cities featured in this magazine. I'm excited to see renovation
where there has been weather-related destruction,
commitment by city governments to making intentional
improvements in their golf courses, and an open door for
people of all abilities and experience. Municipal golf courses
are a treasure, not just for growing the game for golfers but
for all who value green space, beauty and recreation in an
urban setting.
Play hard. Play happy.
www.mngolf.org
Spring 2017 MINNESOTAGOLFER
35
http://www.mngolf.org
Minnesota Golfer - Spring 2017

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Minnesota Golfer - Spring 2017
