Equal Treatment for Golfers at Course

Two weeks ago (Nov. 20) you carried a letter from a Ms. Sheila Austin of Franklin, Mich., who felt she was the target of sexual discrimination at Anaheim Hills Public Golf Course. Fortunately, she faxed me a copy of her letter so I was able to talk to her about the incident.

As it turns out, she wanted to play nine holes of golf in the middle of the morning. The starter explained that there was no nine-hole play available except early in the morning off the back nine and late-afternoon twilight play. The head pro even offered to try to work her and her husband out on the back side. She declined, saying she did not have time to wait around and needed to get back to her convention.

During the time she waited, several male foursomes, who held 18-hole reservations, were put out ahead of Ms. Austin and she mistakenly felt it had something to do with her gender. I stress to her (and would like to stress to any lady golfers who read her letter), that male and female, young and old, good golfers and not-so-good golfers are given equal opportunity to play at both of Anaheim’s public courses.

The Anaheim Hills Golf Assn. (formerly the men’s club) accepts both male and female members. Tee times are booked by calling the Automated Tee Time Reservation System, which shows no partiality. We have an LPGA pro on staff and we are very aware that the growing number of female golfers are an important part of the golf industry and our success here in Anaheim. We surely hope to see Ms. Austin at the Hills when next she visits Anaheim.

JANET DONOVAN

Golf Operations Coordinator

City of Anaheim