Course not just for golfers

My wife Lindsay and I are fans of the game of golf. She grew up in a family where golf was important. Honestly, her love of the game is one of the things that helps make our relationship work. Golf is an activity we enjoy doing together. We now have a son and have aspirations of golf being a regular family activity in our lives. With that in mind, I recently accepted a seat on the board of the Thermopolis Golf Course. I see the game of golf as an integral part of our family’s future. English writer/poet, Gilbert K Chesterton once said that, “golf is an expensive way of playing marbles”. For someone who doesn’t enjoy the game of golf, I can see his point of view. However, I feel it is important for people to realize that the golf course we have here in Thermopolis is an asset to the entire community, not just to those who utilize it on a regular basis.

Our community has recently seen businesses up and leave town. We have seen young families take jobs and leave the community for places that offer more opportunities and amenities. Nurses want to work in a town where there is a good school system.

Teachers want jobs where there are accessible health care facilities. Families choose to put down roots where there are a lot of family-friendly activities.

From a “tourism” standpoint, the more things there are to do in town, the longer visitors will stay and spend their money and boost the infrastructure of Thermopolis. One more activity in town is one more night’s stay in our hotels, one more meal in our restaurants and one more purchase made in our local stores and businesses.

The Thermopolis Golf Course is host to two of our high school sports. It is the home course of our high school golf team in both the spring and fall and it hosts home cross country meets for the Thermopolis cross country team. Both of these sports were 2018 state champions. Without the course, our golf and cross country athletes may be forced to combine programs with Worland and our school district would be financially responsible for transportation. Even when the course is closed during winter months, it is used for recreation by community members in the form of cross-country skiing.

I appreciate the members of the community who continue to support the Thermopolis Golf Course.

I encourage everyone to come up and enjoy the beautiful course, as it is truly an asset to our community. I hope to see many of you at the Cinco De Mayo-themed fundraiser on May 4 at the Armory. There will plenty of fun, games and prizes for non-golfers and golfers alike.