With three active country clubs and a population of only some 50,000 in the past, St. Charles has had its share of golf courses. Ormond, Willowdale and Fashion have given residents and visitors many hours of pleasure in our outdoor wonderland of natural beauty.
But golfing has never been an easy business to operate. There is a lot of maintenance with acres of land to groom for the drivers and putters. And the weather plays a big part in attracting paying players.
And since most clubs are owned by its members, it is not a matter of someone operating it to make a profit which is usually the basis for success of any business.
Now we learn that our only east bank course at Ormond is about to close unless the club can raise more money. And that money may have to come from residents of the area who are not avid golfers but could see their property investments in the area decline if the golf course is turned into a subdivision or used for other commercial purposes.
Having a lot or a home on a golf course or even nearby certainly adds value to it.
The bank reportedly could take over the property on the club’s $900,000 note at any time. In addition, Ormond owes $1.5 million to the Small Business Administration.
Ormond Country Club has been a great addition to our east-bank community. If it goes, we will suffer a great setback in recreational and social facilities that are available to all.
Our other two golf courses at Willowdale and Fashion Country Clubs on the west bank so far are maintaining their facilities. Another reason for golf course problems probably is the fact that people today do not find as much time to schedule four or five hours at a time for their recreation.
In many families, husbands and wives both work which cuts down on their availability to go out and shoot par.
We hope that Ormond can survive the crunch it is suffering and return to the bright, optimistic future it once had. It would certainly benefit not only the golfers but also all of the surrounding communities that are enhanced by its presence.
Commercials should be quieter
At last, someone in Congress is trying to benefit television viewers by toning down the volumn of commercials. Rep. Anna Eschoo (D-California) introduced a bill, H. R. 6209, that would order the Federal Communications Commission to create and enforce federal regulations requiring television ads not to be at any greater volumn than the accompanying program.
What a relief that would be. In fact, it could also help the advertisers. It would stop many viewers from pressing the mute button on commercials when their ear drums start beating excessively.
It is surprising that television networks and stations have not done this voluntarily. It certainly would make viewing their medium much more enjoyable and keep a larger audience.
After all, many viewers probably don’t opt for the mute button. Instead, they flick the button for another station they can enjoy without such interruptions and never return to the source of their displeasure.
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