I haven't played mini golf since I took up "real golf" over two years ago, but I vividly remember the windmills. Every course I played... from the preppy "parcours de mini-golf" on the French Riviera to the honky tonk wonder down in Galveston... had a windmill. And often, it was the centerpiece of the course. The "signature hole" so to speak.
Along with the clown's mouth, the windmill is one of the staples of mini-golf course architecture.
But that's mini-golf, and those windmills are purely decorative.Bay County Golf Course is an 18 hole course on the shores of Michigan's Great Bay, and they're hoping to build a real windmill that could someday fill the course's power needs. Right now, a wind speed measuring device is being set up to confirm that the area is windy enough to make the endeavor worthwhile. Most feel it will.
County officials were most concerned about what the golfers would think, and the majority are in favor of it. They like the idea of an energy independent course that'll be more environmentally friendly. I like it too. Even though I don't miss mini-golf in the least.
County officials were most concerned about what real golfers would think ? Seriously ? That would be a first ! :-)
ReplyDeleteWhy would a golfer care how their course gets the power to run things ?
courtgolf,
ReplyDeleteNot sure if local government bureaucrats care about their golf customers, but the elected officials often do. My local municipal golf course - in Grapevine, TX - has requested approval to ban walking on weekends. Health-nuts like me as well as the local high school golf teams caused an uproar, and City Council members are backing us. No politician wants to face angry hockey moms or soccer moms or golf moms.
John Dewey
walking golfer for 37 years
P.S. You can sign our online petition
John,
ReplyDeleteMy husband is a walking golfer too. I have walked many times-especially when it's cold out. It keeps my blood moving and my fingers don't freeze as quickly. Nonetheless, our course is trying to ban pull-carts mainly because most of the men find them to be an eyesore.
All this is silly. Golfers should be able to walk, ride or push. All are perfectly acceptable options and should be left to the individual. I happily added my name to your petition.
As for the windmill, sounds good to me.
Thank you, Heather!
ReplyDeleteAs an aside, they just built a windmill farm about 25 miles from where I live. Evidently no one cared to warn the neighbors about just how noisy these things can be when running full tilt. The company pays about $2,500.00/year to rent the land for each windmill. Many property owners are trying to figure out if they can back out of their contracts.
ReplyDeleteGeez, they look so serene on postcards.
Good job, JB ! Nice hearing a good story of someone fighting city hall and winning.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I can't say as much for whoever screwed around with the sign in for the web site.
Probably better to have a windmill on a course then a McMansion. Seems Winged Foot is learning that the hard way.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/15/nyregion/
15golf.html?ref=nyregion
Great post! It's got me thinking about what makes a good mini-golf course! It also has me thinking about all the ways golf courses will have to go in the future to keep them sustainable. They've had to adapt dramatically over the past few years down here in Australia because of the drought.
ReplyDeleteIf a golf course is really looking to reduce its carbon footprint, they should most definitely add a roller coaster, skyscraper and/or magic castle structures to its course. It's environmentally friendly as well as challenging. :)
ReplyDeleteGolf courses became more environmentally-friendly in my lifetime. Not sure about all the nation, but most west and southwest golf resorts now use recycled water - graywater from laundry, bathing, and kitchens - for golf course irrigation.
ReplyDeleteForty years ago it was uncommon for golf courses to leave natural the spaces between fairways and the spaces adjacent to golf courses. That's pretty much changed. Coyotes, bobcats, javelina, and rabbits are numerous on golf courses throughout the Southwest. Bird habitat areas now line many golf holes, and golfers I’ve played with honor the signs prohibiting trespass.
If we could get most golfers out of those polluting motorized carts, we could then claim our sport is truly green.
John Dewey
celebrating Earth Day since 1970
Banning walking on golf courses is crazy! People should have a choice.
ReplyDelete-Sam
from
Golf Carts for Sale
Courtgolf
ReplyDeletebecause maybe wit alt energy the price will go alittle bit down or that is what they think?
and dont lie golf girl we all know you still love mini golf
JD - 40 years ago, golf wasn't as popular as it is now and courses didn't have take up nearly as much land as they do now. (number of courses) Water wasn't the big concern it is today because the population wasn't nearly what it is today. Courses us non-potable water and recycled water because of the supply problem.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget the advances in grasses that use less water and improvements in chemicals that are less harsh than they used to be.
Golf has ALWAYS been a "green" game - it has just improved with time.
(ah yes - "earth day" - annually setting new single day records for trash piles, travel pollution, and fuel consumption - it's amazing how many people forget the reason for the celebration and just go for the concerts leaving behind tons of garbage)