For about a year now, there has been a lot of rumor and gossip surrounding the proposed construction of a golf course on Choate Rosemary Hall’s hallowed grounds. Chairman of the Board Herbert V. Kohler ’57 wants to make an initial donation for the course, with expectation that it will become self-sufficient in the future with regard to upkeep and expenses. I applaud Mr. Kohler for his proposal because it is not only generous but also intelligent.
What is Choate’s biggest social network? The men and women that have received diplomas from Choate: the alumni. The creation of a golf course will drastically improve the relations of alumni that have lost touch. Golf will be the conduit to rekindling the long-lost relationships that we cherish so much at Choate. I would be highly motivated to reconnect with classmates at Choate by playing on a premier Pete Dye golf course. Utilizing the Sally Hart Lodge for two-foursomes, two-round overnight (with dinner in Wallingford) could easily be an annual event. The synergy of connecting with Choate friends, on campus, to enjoy a game of golf, would be a great way to enhance alumni relations for our school. It does not matter if you play golf or not, the fact that so many alumni would be returning to play will convince any non-golfer to come back and see his or her former classmates. With the re-birth of the Alumni Association, now in the competent hands of Woody Laikind ’53, the golf course will provide a venue for many alumni-related events. The man mentioned before, Pete Dye, is one of the greatest golf course architects in golf history, and he just happens to be chummy with Mr. Kohler. With the space available and the natural hazards and boundaries that exist in the vast amounts of land Choate has, Mr. Dye would have a field day creating the course, and it would most certainly become one of the finest courses in Connecticut. Also, the golf course will eventually become a profit-making course through various corporate memberships and golf outings. Mr. Kohler and Mr. Dye teamed up nine years ago to build Whistling Straits and Blackwolf Run golf courses in Wisconsin. Both the courses have been hugely successful as both have been very profitable. Whistling Straits hosted a PGA Championship and has been slated to host more high-profile golf tournaments. What I am trying to say is, these men have proven their abilities to build profitable courses and they know the Choate golf course will be a success.
I understand the concerns many people have regarding the environmental damages that will ensue. Dan Groberg ’07 wrote an excellent op-ed piece last spring regarding the consequences of building a major golf course. Although it is difficult to cope with some of the environmental damages that will occur, the Choate community can take solace in knowing that a golf course is being built and not roads, buildings, or shops. Let us keep in mind that a golf course is a beautiful scene to look at it. The rolling green hills and peaceful atmosphere that exude from a golf course provide the viewer with a tranquil setting. Throughout Choate’s history, the school has sold parcels of this land to developers in order to gain financially. What is not to say the school will do this again? A golf course owned by Choate is better than a strip mall owned by independent developers. Another concern is that this money being used for the golf course could go to other ventures within the Choate community. Well, Choate is currently pursuing a campaign to add $200 million to its endowment. A lot of this money will go to enhancing faculty salaries, improving facilities, and adding scholarships. An independent and significant gift by Mr. Kohler for the construction of a golf course that could have been used elsewhere at Choate will be more than covered by the growing endowment.
In closing, I would urge the Choate community to see the virtues of having a golf course on campus. Dan Groberg ’07 mentioned in his op-ed article that the course would benefit a “small minority of the Choate community.” As mentioned before, this course would affect the largest social community at Choate, the alumni. Golf is a wonderful way to bring people together. I fully support Mr. Kohler and I hope the members of the board will side with him on this brilliant idea.
