Golf Fiefdoms

Hi all,

I began writing a sort of op ed to for public officials that morphed into a self pep talk/ or a post fitting of GCA or Fried Egg Forums. Any examples or feedback are appreciated.

Golf Fiefdoms-A solution for muni golf in America

There are few greater joys than taking part in a vibrant local golf community. An immense piece of real estate, open for play, hopefully near your home or place of business.

Many of us are forced now to watch as our real estate mogul in chief, President Trump wreaks havoc on the celebrated efforts of The National Links Trust in our nation’s capitol. It makes one think, golf and muni politics are not a good match…

A golf mentor chided me in a recent conversation after I was describing my anguish over politics at my childhood muni in Iowa, “The problem with muni golf is its a bunch of fiefdoms.” What he meant was, many munis and their leaders turn inward and focus on politics instead of what makes good golf. Realizing what good golf is requires drawing focus away from a single course, and opening up to the possibilities present in a vibrant new world of American municipal golf.

How should my generation approach improving municipal golf? I began reflecting on munis around the country. A few have catapulted into golf stardom. The Park, Wildhorse, Charleston Muni, George Wright, Soule Park, Goat Hill, and Winter Park Nine, are all ascendant stories, and there are many more. The common refrain is a downtrodden public property saved by diehard golfers or developers willing to spend money (a lot or a little) on a dream that focuses on the game as a first, second, and third priority. Some are not technically municipal properties, but operate similar to one, or occupy the ground where a muni once sat, Common Ground, Aiken Golf Club and Sweetens Cove come to mind in this bucket.

For every success story, many more munis find themselves stuck in no man’s land between the interests of a rotating cast of local politicians, parks departments, and golf operators. What’s the best way to upend the logjam that dooms these courses? Rethink their systems of governance? Undo private interests? How do we get these fiefdoms to fall? This is the best I could come up with:

We need more golf sickos in positions of power. Those who really love where they live and their local golf (or the potential for it) need to organize, raise money, and boost awareness. Get to know the finances of your local course, find out who runs the day to day, and what particular power structure holds sway for your local gem to realize its greatness. Don’t get bogged down in what can be a maddening world of local golf politics. It’s not an easy fix, but the last ten years have netted big wins for muni golf and real money flowing towards the soul of American golf. Research the courses and stories associated with the examples provided above. These exemplars are gratifying stories of resilience and passion that should embolden my generation to push muni golf to new heights.

Thanks to all who drive our beloved muni tracks forward, especially those who make it happen every day on maintenance crews!

Best of Luck,

Joe Wandro

https://www.wandrogolf.com/

Referenced courses:

https://www.nationallinkstrust.org/

https://theparkwestpalm.com/

https://playwildhorse.com/

https://www.charleston-sc.gov/644/Golf

https://www.cityofbostongolf.com/

https://www.soulepark.com/

https://goathillpark.com/

https://cityofwinterpark.org/departments/parks-recreation/golf-courses/winter-park-golf-course/

https://www.commongroundgc.com/

https://sweetenscovegolfclub.com/