Earlier this week, Record-Bee Sports Editor, Brian Sumpter, teed off on Hidden Valley Lake over green fees charges to players in the Coastal Mountain Conference. In my opinion, his drive is way out of bounds.
Most important to note here is that Hidden Valley Lake Golf Course has been extremely supportive of junior golf over the past quarter century. I know because I was the golf coach at Middletown High. School during that time, and HVL was our golf home. During my time as golf coach HVL consistently and continually allowed junior golfers to use their facility free of charge.
This means that for 25 years HVL gave us free green fees, range balls, lessons, clubs, shoes, bags, shirts, and new golf balls for tournaments. They also did the same for all the visiting teams that came to play HVL. Never during that time were we asked for money. As John Berry, golf coach for Kelseyville, points out before every match, “If we totaled all the free golf you players are receiving, it would amount to over $1000 a year.” Multiply that number by 12 golfers for 25 years.
In addition, Sumpter also stated in his commentary that there is no other golf course that charges for CMC play. This is not true. I can remember paying for team golf at Windsor and Oakmont. We were also charged at several of the courses for range balls. Any out of league tournament that the golf team enters, it must pay a team fee, a portion of which goes back to the golf course.
A note here, as a coach I never flinched at paying reduced fees for my golfers. Instead I felt fortunate when we didn”t have to pay the regular green fees. In addition most courses comp the coaches, which I am sure was the case at HVL.
Finally, Sumpter is railing for the return of the $390. Why after all these years has HVL decided to charge one time for use of its golf course? Do what a reporter should do before writing an article, pick up the phone, call those in the know and get your information straight.
I have been for years an enthusiastic supporter of RB Sports and the work of Brian Sumpter. I can”t think of any place that I have been where high school sports get such great coverage. Brian is the driving force behind this great coverage.
But on this story, Brian needs to take a mulligan.
Bob Norris
Former Golf Coach
Middletown High School
