Comments on just up the pike: sligo creek closure opens debate about diversity a...

There is no objective reason why MoCo should subsi...

2009-07-27T19:24:31.871-04:00

There is no objective reason why MoCo should subsidize tennis and swimming but not golf.

This is a beautiful course which uniquely serves youth, minority, low and moderate income, senior and beginner golfers. If this course closes, they lose their equal opportunity to this form of recreation.

This is unseemly rush to trade a down-county pocket change is probably motivated by an effort by County Counsel members, Plan Commissioners and the Revenue Authority to keep a lid on past financial and legal shinanigans which are coming home to roost in this downturn economy.

Save Sligo.

Thanks for raising the issue of diversity, Dan. H...

2009-07-03T13:29:08.935-04:00

Thanks for raising the issue of diversity, Dan.

How can the county consider subsidizing a multi-million dollar soccer complex when they wouldn't consider a small short-fall for a down-county golf course?

And the short-fall is still QUESTIONABLE. The numbers do not make sense.

This golf course has been a staple for the community for more than 60 years.

It is the only course within the Montgomery County system that provides a comfortable and welcoming golf course for beginners, seniors, women, and persons with disabilities.

Maybe the council was just having a bad day when they voted to close the course... they need to go back and reconsider their decision to close our only down-county golf course. And they need to reconsider the decision that will shut so many citizens out of a community amenity that they cannot get any where else.

As a newcomer to the golf game I appreciate Sligo ...

2009-07-02T22:42:29.769-04:00

As a newcomer to the golf game I appreciate Sligo very much. Not everyone has the time or $$ to play 18-holes each week so smaller 9-hole courses allow those people (whatever their background or socioeconomic status) to play. In addition, Sligo is known to be friendly to new golfers--also allowing for people who did not grow up with the game to learn & enjoy it.

If you take away Sligo that doesn't leave those who play it with many options. There are 8 18-hole MC County courses and only 1 other 9-hole course like Sligo.

Golf may seem like an elitist sport to some (like H) but for those of us that play know that people of all walks of life & background enjoy the game. Importantly, it is courses like Sligo that really opens golf to everyone. By killing Sligo MC County is making the decision to favor those who have more $$ and time to play while at the same time creating greater barriers for those with less time & money.

Given they are public courses, that just doesn't seem the right public policy decision.

Diversity issues and golf? Is this a joke? Are t...

2009-07-02T21:47:06.440-04:00

Diversity issues and golf? Is this a joke? Are the residents of MoCo so delusional and living in such a bubble of wealth that they honestly believe that what the underserved citizens in MoCo need is golf!!! I would love to see the folks who are so passionate about keeping this environmentally-unfriendly golf course open, put the same energy into the homeless shelters and food pantries of MoCo so that they could gain a clue about what the underprivileged of our county really need.

2009-07-02T21:46:00.169-04:00

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Thank you for your eloquence and understanding of ...

2009-06-29T12:16:11.771-04:00

Thank you for your eloquence and understanding of Sligo's precarious situation in serving a significantly larger portion of minorities, women, seniors, inner city children, low income and the handicapped than MoCo's other "public" golf courses.

Sligo is the only conventional golf course at this end of the county. For a county that prides itself on diversity not one single study has been done by our local leaders to show what the impact of closing Sligo will have on the above population groups.

This is not only the epitome of hypocrisy by our council it promotes the hackneyed notion that golf is the sport of white suburban men.

Mark Suffanti
Founding Member SaveSligoGolf.com

Dan, not sure where online link is at I saw it thr...

2009-06-26T15:10:37.800-04:00

Dan, not sure where online link is at I saw it through local MoVo Cable show -- I'd call MNCPPC directly asnd ask for contest guidelines.

And, uh, where's the White Oak Shopping Center...

2009-06-22T17:58:50.529-04:00

And, uh, where's the White Oak Shopping Center on that list? 42 acres, at the intersection of two major arteries and on several bus lines, thousands of people within walking distance, large government installation literally next door . . . sounds like a nice candidate for re-design to me. Beallsville? Give me a break.

No way, I think the contest should be open worldwi...

2009-06-22T17:40:20.932-04:00

No way, I think the contest should be open worldwide. You want to invite ideas from different people in different places, because the right solution may not be in our backyard.

Do you know where I could find info on this online?

I'm NOT a golfer nor a fan of golf courses usi...

2009-06-22T17:19:42.189-04:00

I'm NOT a golfer nor a fan of golf courses using up so much valuable growing soace ;-), but can't see WHY this is demamed that it make a profit to exist. I think that is unfair and elitist, the county subsidizes plenty of other hobbies and doesn't question those expenditures.

BTW Dan, did you see the MNCPPC shopping center redesign contest for architects? I caught it on MoCo Ch 6 today -- 3 spots in the county - two near me Forest Glen & Glenmont. The 3rd, Bealsville, is by my parents -- looking forward to seeingthe choices and how they are implemented. Only quibble - WHY is open worldwide? Think it should be limited to MoCo residents.

Thank you Dan. Well-said as always. I hope the co...

2009-06-22T16:22:27.193-04:00

Thank you Dan. Well-said as always.

I hope the county comes to its senses. We've already lost White Oak and we almost lost Gunpowder (on the PG-East MOCO border).

Sligo Creek is a beautiful and challenging (at least for me) golf course and I would hate to lose it.

I just can't understand the County's wrong-headed stance on this issue. Keep fighting the good fight.

Thanks for bringing the issue to a wider audience....

2009-06-22T14:33:46.674-04:00

Thanks for bringing the issue to a wider audience. Although not a golfer, I believe this public inside-the-beltway course is important to the community. I would bet this course is more diverse than the other county courses by several measures...age, gender, ethnicity, economic status. I have emailed the county council members, county executive, and park and planning about my support for maintaining the course. Perhaps it is the non-competition part of the contract between the Parks Department and Revenue Authority that should be changed, not the course. I hope others also voice their concern.