Reader's view: External issues, not golf course, are the problem

The current controversy regarding Lester Park golf course has deep roots that are not talked about. Prior city administrations made a big mistake by building the “lake” nine. It is a “dog” and a cancer. It doesn’t pay its way and should be plowed under. Sell off the property for residential lots.
For many years the city administration allowed very poor management of the course to go on. It is only in the past 18 years, when Paul Schintz came in as the golf course pro and golf manager, that the course has come out of the dark ages. Without Schintz, the course would have continued to flounder.
I go back 67 years at Lester Park. In 1947 I started there as a caddy and in 1950 I started working in the pro shop while attending high school. Nobody has been playing the course as long as I have. I have seen all of the poor moves made by the city. The only positive one was when Schintz was hired.
We had a wonderful golf season in 2012 with a March 30 opening. The past two seasons have had openings in mid-May with continued poor weather through the summer. So don’t compare 2012 with 2013 and 2014.
Golf is down across the country; there are 5 million fewer golfers than in 2008. Schintz and his staff have worked hard with the junior programs by going into schools as well as conducting Monday morning clinics at Lester Park. It is a tough sell with all kids have today.
Lester Park golf course is not the problem. It is the external issues of the times.
James C. “Chick” Evans
Duluth