Editor,

I found your recent editorial opposing the South Whidbey Parks and Recreation District operating the Holmes Harbor Golf Course narrow minded and rife with anti-golfer sentiment. In addition, you said that operating the golf course isn’t worth pursuing because this “is too focused toward a single interest group” The logic behind this statement escapes me.

Following this line of thinking to its logical conclusion would mean, it seems to me, that the South Whidbey Parks and Recreation District shouldn’t operate tennis courts, boat launches or ball fields either because they all focus on a “single interest group.” You said that golfers with money should join Useless Bay Country Club and those without should play at Island Greens, the Gallery or go to the mainland. Following your reasoning, tennis players, another “single interest group,” with money should join Useless Bay Country Club and use their courts or drive to Oak Harbor or find courts on the mainland. The same would have to be true for other “single interest” groups such as boaters, ball players and Frisbee flingers. We shouldn’t have our tax dollars supporting any “single interest group.”

I don’t own a boat, I no longer play tennis and only rarely do I use our parks. However, I happily pay taxes so that our county parks and recreation district can provide recreational facilities for Island County residents. To single out one group, such as golfers, and state that the South Whidbey Parks and Recreation District shouldn’t support them is narrow minded and prejudiced.

Linda Russell

Freeland