Photo Credit: Randy Gaddo
This column, “LBWA” (Leadership By Wandering Around), is based on the premise that, in order to find out what’s going on in the field, a parks and rec leader has to leave his or her desk and “wander around” the area of operations, talk to people, ask questions, and kick around ideas with the individuals in the thick of delivering services to the public. So the author will bring up issues that may be common to many PRB readers and ask the leaders who are the readers to weigh in and share their knowledge and experiences.
There was a time in golf’s early history, back in the 15^(th) century, when the condition of the course was dependent on how well local Scottish farmers took care of their pastures on which the game was played. Amenities for the course—driving ranges, restaurants, swimming pools, or event venues—were non-existent.
In the mid-1400s the Scottish Parliament banned the game because it interfered with archery practice, which was deemed more important to protect its borders from invaders. Needless to say, golf has changed considerably since those days; it is no longer considered an element in national defense, and amenities are now arguably as important as the condition of the course itself.