Take Me To Post Comment Form Editor, Manteca Bulletin: A few months ago, as a resident of this city for over 30 years, I began taking lessons at the Manteca Golf Course. Before taking lessons, however, I never realized how many people, old and young, enjoy the pleasure of the sport. You see, I had never been "in and around" the Manteca Golf Course to observe how many people go there to play golf.
After taking my first lesson, I went back to hit some balls on the driving range. It was during the middle of the week and in the morning. I was amazed at how full the parking lot was. More amazing was the age range of people participating in a mid-week game of golf! I observed people who were retired and thoroughly enjoying their morning,which is what you most likely expect to see. Laughing, kidding one another and just flat-out having a nice day. But, it wasn't just retirees who were there to play golf. I saw friends in their 40's and 50's who have days during the week off. I saw young people in their 20's and 30's, and at different times, high school aged kids. A variety of old and young alike, out to enjoy a honorable, clean, relaxing and enjoyable sport. Not to mention what a safe and respectful environment for our children if they go there to play golf.
Consistently,for the past 2 1/2 months I have observed an abundance of golfers participating in something good and healthful that we still have here in America (Manteca) that hasn't yet been ruined or financially corrupted by our government. However, I have been reading articles in the opinion section from some people trying to put down Alan Thomas and the golf course he is running. So what if he draws an income and is rewarded for doing his job!! He should be paid for doing a good job!! Wake up people and look around. Obviously he is doing something right. How many places can you go to golf in our surrounding cities and afford it? Do your homework and call around to Modesto, Stockton, Tracy (which is private)and see what kind of revenues they generate each year. Manteca golf course draws golfers from a lot of cities who choose to play golf here because they can afford to enjoy the sport on a very nicely groomed and mature course. Why is that? Probably because it has been properly managed? Yes, the fees aren't as high as other courses, but that is why more people choose to come here to golf. Those fees that golfers have paid through the years are what will be used to pay off the remaining loan owed, thus running the future finances of the golf course in the black! A long term goal, accomplished!
So get off your rampages against Mr. Thomas and focus on something more worthy that will help mend this city, state and country. We have far more serious issues at hand that need focusing on. (Homelessness, unemployment rate, misappropriation and extortion of our tax dollars, medicare fraud, fiscal shortfalls preventing adequate revenues to provide necessary fire and police protection, child abduction and abuse, just to name only a minute few) If you want to "down" the golf course, ask yourself what else will this city have to offer where people can still affordably participate in something enjoyable, while getting some great exercise,relieving a stressful lifestyle, for all age ranges. Our government is making it so that pretty soon we won't be able to afford much of anything. Maybe some of you "naysayers" should get off your "rusty dusty's" and go to the golf course to observe how many people are out there enjoying a piece of life! It might make your day a happy one to see that others are happy, smiling and just down right having some fun. Is there something wrong with that? Try it, you might like it!!
I would also like to mention that the people Mr. Thomas has employed at the golf course are always friendly, helpful, courteous, dressed respectfully and totally enjoyable!
I sincerely hope our city of Manteca allows Alan Thomas to continue running a successful, profitable and honest business in which many people are enjoying, without increasing fees and messing up a good thing!
Thank you Mr. Thomas for doing a great job!
Barbara Yrigoyen