The city of Atlanta has many great traditions which
should be preserved when they are good for the community and discarded when no
longer needed. There is a current problem where the Parks and Recreation
department is looking to eliminate one of the public golf courses in the city.
Candler Park Golf Course is in trouble of being shut down because it is being
dubbed as “not profitable enough”. This is a terrible reason to get rid of
something which helps beginners to get started with golf in a less intimidating
environment as well as a place where golf enthusiasts can get away for a
relaxing 9 holes of golf.
Those who are familiar with the course feel that efforts
can be better served in improving the golf course rather than shutting it down.
This is why the Friends of Candler Park Golf Course has been making an effort
to change the mind of those trying to shut down the golf course. If you are so
inclined, you can learn more by visiting sites.google.com/site/focpgc or by
contacting me directly at brianbedell@gmail.com.
I have recently obtained permission from Edwin Watts Golf
on Piedmont Road to provide merchandise which can be raffled to help promote
the golf course and to try to raise money. The first raffle will be help
shortly and will include the use of recovered balls from the course which will
be stamped with a serial number. The drawing will choose one of these numbers
and the winning number will win the prize.
Additional efforts will be made to have a tournament on
the course and other promotional affairs. Every effort will be made to help in
making sure that the city realizes how beloved Candler Park Golf Course is to
the golfers and to the community. I encourage all golfers and those living in
the community to reach out to those in control of this decision making process
to let them know what you think.
If you are interested in writing a letter to those who
can weigh in with more influence, the suggested people include:
·
Mayor Kasim Reed, City of Atlanta
·
Senator Jason Carter
·
Alex Wan, City of Atlanta Council District 6
·
George Dusenbury, City of Atlanta Parks &
Recreation
·
Walt Rey, Park Pride Director of Park Visioning
Any questions or comments about this issue are welcomed
and I will be sure to post them here for the consideration of all. Thank you
for reading and I hope to see you out at Candler Park Golf Course soon!
