Golf course remake has drawbacks

Regarding the June 15 editorial 'Remake Jones Golf Course:”

While the recent frequent flooding of Jones Golf Course has been very frustrating for all concerned, the idea to transform the 18-hole course into nine holes with a practice area has two major drawbacks.

First, Cedar Rapids already has ample practice areas for golf, including Twin Pines, Ellis and Gardner.

Second, most avid golfers (i.e., regular paying customers) really like Jones Golf Course as a highly valued golfing venue for our city.

Further, most avid golfers will not play a nine-hole Jones nearly as often as the current 18 version.

Here is the answer - add a $1-per-green-fee flood recovery surcharge to the green fees at Jones Golf Course. Use the surcharge revenue to repair Jones when it does flood.

Weather patterns go in cycles. Hopefully, Jones Golf Course will be flood-free for the most part in the years ahead.

Save Jones Golf Course.

Paul Steingreaber

Cedar Rapids