Bucket loads of golf balls (From Western Telegraph)

Bucket loads of golf balls

12:17pm Friday 27th July 2012 in Letters

With regard to the article in your newspaper about St Davids golf course of July 14. I noticed you majored on the views of those opposed to the development.

With regard to the house across the road from the course where the owner says he collects 'buckets of balls', I have been playing the course for 50 years and have never seen a ball land in the garden you write about.

Incidentally the course is over 100 years old and the bungalow would be considerably less. Anyone buying the house would be aware of the proximity of the course. You mention the environmental concerns, but they will no doubt be assessed by qualified individuals who will give an independent assessment rather than the conjecture of unqualified opponents.

The major benefit to the area will be tourism. As it is the course is not one that a reasonable player would go out of his way to play, unlike the courses in the south of the county or Newport to the north.

However should the development go ahead, I am sure the area will benefit especially as a modern clubhouse is part of the plan. An additional benefit is that golf courses can also encourage wildlife if constructed sympathetically by landscaping in ponds and shrubs.

You say that there were 13 letters in support and 13 against, but you did not mention that the councillors voted in favour by seven to four. Why not? I wrote a letter in support as others have done, but we sent ours to the the Park. It would be interesting to know which side they supported.

I hope in future your reporter takes a more balanced view.

Christopher Cannon Rhodiad-y-Brenin