Long memory will guide this golfer
I expect to see a significant decline in golf rounds once we are fully through the pandemic. That probably will show up in 2022 (“Golf industry must build on its unexpected boost,” Jan. 13).
Personally, I played more golf this year than any since I left a private membership in 2000. That was because I could not play competitive table tennis and do volunteer tutoring in reading. Although I am a single-digit-handicap golfer who has shot under his age, I will return to my previous schedule as soon as possible. That means dumping my public-course golf membership and playing less than half as much as I do now.
One thing that has bothered me through the pandemic is that many courses took the opportunity to basically gouge the public with inflated prices. When I go back to a normal schedule, I will patronize those courses that avoided such a practice.
Walt DelGiorno
Wilmington, Del.
Abandoning tee times makes no sense
In Ted Bishop’s article regarding changes coming this year at local courses, I found it interesting that a few courses are banning or choosing not to utilize tee times (“Get ready for changes at your local golf course,” Jan. 14).
While I've known a few clubs in the past where play was light enough that tee times weren't necessary (walking up and jumping onto the first tee simply was not a challenge), it is interesting that with the number of rounds being played increasing substantially that eliminating tee times is occurring, because it seems it could create some undesirable outcomes.
Even though I don't play nearly as much golf now as I once did, I certainly noticed this year that finding open tee times at numerous courses in the area was much more difficult than in recent years.
I can't imagine heading to a golf course not knowing whether or not I'd be able to get on the course in a reasonable time frame. I wouldn't find it very desirable to show up and find out I'd be getting in line waiting behind a large number of groups. As many folks who bemoan slow play describe, the length of time for a round of golf is one of the obstacles to growth of the game. Having to wait for an additional hour just to get on the first tee would exacerbate that problem.
What am I missing with this approach?
Andy Jackson
Fort Worth, Texas
The end of free speech
I’ve been reading all the pro and con opinions concerning Alex Miceli’s article the last few days and am not surprised at the reactions both ways by Morning Read subscribers (“From the Morning Read inbox,” Jan. 11; Jan. 12; Jan. 13; Jan. 14).
Donald Trump, love him or hate him, is the most polarizing public figure I can recall.
But there is one aspect of this whole situation that disturbs me more than any other, and that is some readers’ demand that great people such as Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player be called out and vilified simply for supporting one presidential candidate over another, whatever that candidate’s faults might be.
“Cancel culture” has arrived and is thriving and eventually will come for you. Please take a long hard look at what it can and will do to the very soul of this nation.
Freedom of speech is gone, and the rest will follow. Sad.
Frank Blauch
Lebanon, Pa.
Workers will feel the loss more than Trump or Miceli
The very people who are chortling in glee that President Donald Trump has lost the 2022 PGA Championship – the so-called defenders of people such as Alex Miceli and others – are forgetting the people who work in the area of Trump National Golf Club Bedminster (“From the Morning Read inbox,” Jan. 11; Jan. 12; Jan. 13; Jan. 14).
Those workers likely were anticipating a big increase in their income due to increased numbers at their restaurants, bars, car washes, barber shops, maid services, etc. They are the ones who have been hurt. This move will not hurt Trump or his businesses, just the working people who were hoping to get a better customer base for a hectic week. Catering staff won’t be needed in that area, and you can bet that they will feel the pain while the Alex Micelis of the world don’t worry about how to pay their rent or buy their kids clothes with the extra money they could have earned.
So, gloat on, you selfish sorts who are riding triumphant waves. You have proved what many already know: It’s about power, and the heck with the working stiffs who are trying to survive.
It’s time for people to look deeper than their selfish wants and think about those who will suffer the most.
Garen Eggleston
The Villages, Fla.
What does Jack Nicklaus have to say now?
I agreed with Alex Miceli’s article that golf should take a stand regarding President Donald Trump (“Golf needs to take a stand against Donald Trump,” Jan. 8) and am glad to see that it has started to do so (“It’s beginning of end for Donald Trump’s golf empire,” Jan. 12). But that stand also should include the leaders in golf who have put themselves into this debate before.
I was disappointed but hardly surprised when Jack Nicklaus endorsed Trump for re-election (“It’s no golden moment for Golden Bear,” Oct. 30). Having voluntarily put himself into the debate, why is Nicklaus quiet now?
Craig Merkle
Baltimore
Concern about Miceli? Nah, but Golf Channel is another matter
Who cares whether Alex Miceli wants to write about politics? I don't want to read about politics in Morning Read, so I just do not read anything that Miceli has authored. It’s a pretty simple solution.
What I'm more upset about is the dumpster fire that is Golf Channel. What happened here? NBC destroyed something I had watched daily since its inception. Now I have no real reason to turn it on.
Tom Wise
West Chester, Ohio
(Editor’s note: John Hawkins foretold of just such a reaction to Golf Channel’s changes in commentary Oct. 19 for Morning Read, which can be read here.)
This is a Wall that unites rather than divides
Kudos to reader Terry Wall of the U.K. for his comments (“From the Morning Read inbox,” Jan. 14).
Wall expresses the sentiments that we all should have in this divisive political climate.
Jim Faletti
Crete, Ill.
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