FROM THE EDITOR

Now, I smell conspiracy. But at the beginning, I thought it was lovely how my wife said, in January, out of nowhere, "Hey, I signed you up for golf lessons in April."

Then, a few weeks later, my father sent a thick package in the mail - three months worth of back issues of Golf magazine. He put the one with Phil Mickelson on top, I'm sure because I'm a lefty and my dad knows I don't have the kinesthetic sense to turn around the instructions for a right-handed swing.

I bought a set of clubs last fall, and snuck trips to the driving range on my lunch hours until the snow fell. I had the pleasure of playing a round with Naperville Commissioner Mary Wright at Springbrook Golf Course on Columbus Day. And I also coerced a buddy to play a couple rounds with me before Halloween. That, I figure, is where the leak about my reputation began. So, you might as well know it too: I am the deli man of Sangamon County public golf — all I do is slice, slice, slice, slice.

Most of the time I've spent "golfing" can be more properly described as a fool's tour through roughs, water and sand hazards as I've chased some impossibly lost balls. Soil, that's given me plenty of opportunities to notice how well kept these courses are.

Kathy Geatches' story on page 26 explains the effort behind building a playable, beautifully maintained course. She profiles Dave Ward, the superintendent of Homewood-Flossmoor's soon-to-be-opened Coyote Run Golf Course. Ward has had an impressive career as a country club superintendent, but has now chosen to work at the park district's public facility. That wouldn't happen if the public course were inferior to a private club.

Dave Ward isn't alone in his appreciation of park and recreation agency courses. You'll find superb amenities and outstanding professionals at public facilities all across Illinois. The state's wealth of fine public facilities is a testament to our profession's commitment to make this sport accessible to all. Our annual listing of public courses owned and/or operated by IAPD and IPRA members begins on page 42.

So, why not try a new course or two this summer? I promise, if you have the misfortune to get behind the deli man, he'll let you play through.

RODD WHELPLEY
Editor

4 Illinois Parks and Recreation www.ILipra.org