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On Tuesday morning I
got a call from Jack
Buchanan in which be said
be wanted some of our
Retiree curlers to pass
around a guestionnaire
regarding Retiree golf at
the Rossland-Trail golf
club's two courses.
The survey is intended to
give the Rossland-Trail
executive an idea of what
the Retirees are getting for
their golf dollar and bow
much more they can stand
without feeling put upon. I
know that this idea bas
been toyed with for some
time, but I did not think it
would come to anything
until I went to the meeting
in the Union Hotel and
beard some of the
arguments put up by some
of the members who, I
think, believe retired
people can well afford to
pay more for the golfing
privileges they enjoy.

The questionnaire is
quite detailed, asking
questions about bow much
you play and on what
course, bow you would look
at the idea of restrictions
on playing time, whether
you would be willing to pay
half the green fees on top of
your membership dues on
certain prime-time
situations and the use of the
bar. I'm told that the
Rossland course bar . and
kitchen are used by most
people playing the course
but Birchbank falls way
short.
There is also a following
question to this section
whether we would agree
with the idea of a house fee
of so much per month. This
was brought up at the
meeting and seemed to be
fairly well received.
A small house fee would,

r believe, be quite ac-

ceptable, there is not much
doubt in my mind that we
do quite well at the present
price for our golfing entertainment I know in this
area we enjoy our sports at
a far cheaper rate than
many places around the
country. I've been told this
repeatedly be friends who
have played courses all
~ver the country.
However, there are
places ·in this area where
the retiree gets a cheaper
rate than we do. We beard
at the meeting the cost of
unionized labor bas in-

creased costs.
To sum up,. the playing
members will probably be
asked to assume a higher

rate.
I talked to a few of our
retirees and on the wabole I
feel they feel somewhat
along the same lines as I
do. The people who are

conducting this survey
should not try to pile it on
but we know the money for
upkeep bas to come from
somewhere and there are
not too many options open
to them; A small increase
or a house fee would not
hurt the average retiree.
I'm looking forward to
the golfing season and if
it's going to cost a little
more, so be it!
While on· the subject of
golf, I bear via the

a store of everything the
average golfer needs. Left
banded balls, tees and even
left.banded carts.
Turning to curling for a
moment, this weekend will
see the Legion zone 'spiel
take place in the Castlegar
club. Three rinks will go
from Branch No. 14. Jim
Schuck and bis rink of Jim
Bateman, Ivan Bell and
Mike Kraftcbick will be
taking in the junior tourney
which be came close to
grapevine a certain left- winning last year in Trail.
banded golfer of .sea. Bill Vickers and Phil
danavian origin bas ac- Batemaq will be skipping
cumulated enough left. two rinb in the senior
banded clubs that be is section; Good curling,
thinking of starting a pro fellas!
shop. I'm told be bas quite
So, until next time.