There has been a lot of bad news about golf courses lately, especially when it comes to places like Plantation Palms Golf Club in Land O’ Lakes — and more recently, some financial issues at Scotland Yards in Dade City.
But are golf courses on the way out? Or is this simply a correction in the market?
“Golf was in its heyday 20 or 30 years ago, when that was the thing to do, both socially and sports wise,” Laura Sanderson, a pro at Meadow Oaks Golf & Country Club in Hudson, told reporter Michael Hinman. “Everyone built a bunch of golf courses because, back then, we could keep them full. But now people’s interests have changed, especially the younger generation. People just have better things to do with their time and money.”
But that doesn’t mean golf courses are down and out. In fact, the courses that survive and thrive will be the ones who adapt to the new realities, Sanderson said. And you can read all about it in this week’s print edition of The Laker/Lutz News, available on your local news racks or maybe even on your front doorstep right now.
If you can’t pick up a physical copy of the paper, you also can read our online e-edition for free. Just click here.
Every month, reporter B.C. Manion takes you on a journey with her Worth the Trip feature, exploring things that are beautiful and fascinating. This week, she takes readers to the only bookstore you’ll probably ever need — and it’s just a stone’s throw away.
But what if you just wanted to go somewhere inexpensive? Reporter Michael Murillo made a name for himself a few years back with a column known as “Cheap Date.” While that feature has been retired, there are still many low-cost outings people can take, and Michael explores that in a new column known as “On the Cheap.”
His first stop is the Capitol Theatre in Clearwater, where the price of a double feature harkens back to the good ol’ days when bank loans weren’t needed to buy a movie ticket.
“Why sit at home, when for $7, you could take a friend or a loved one to a historic theater and see something you know you’ll enjoy?” Murillo writes. “Two somethings, actually. It’s a double feature, remember? That’s a great deal, and cheap enough that it justifies a little drive time to get there.”
Find out more on why this is such a great low-cost outing in this week’s print edition of The Laker/Lutz News, or you can simply click here to read it in our free online e-edition.
Finally, U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis has become a champion for veterans causes, especially in the mess that has become the Veterans Affairs health care system.
Good news, however, is coming for local veterans after President Barack Obama signed a bill that includes a Bilirakis provision that would add a consolidated full-fledged VA medical clinic in Pasco County.
But where will it open? The tug-of-war seems to be between New Port Richey, and east toward Land O’ Lakes or even Zephyrhills.
Lauren Price is an Iraqi war veteran who is one of the founders of the VeteranWarriors advocacy group. She joined nearly 100 other veterans last week in New Port Richey to share her thoughts on where a clinic should go, and what should be offered with it.
“Most people, especially disabled veterans, have financial problems, and transportation is a huge factor in their lives,” Price said. “We have some limited mass transit here in West Pasco, and there is much more minimal mass transit that gets out to Trinity. And before someone offers all that real estate out in Dade City or Zephyrhills, I will remind them that the only mass transit out there are the mud swamp runs.”
How will this turf war be solved? Get details in this week’s The Laker/Lutz News, or read it online by clicking here.
Oh, and are you ready for some football? We wrap up more than a month of local gridiron previews this week from reporter Michael Murillo with the Freedom Patriots.
All of these stories and more can be found in this week’s The Laker/Lutz News, available in newsstands throughout east and central Pasco County as well as northern Hillsborough County. Find out what has your community talking this week by getting your local news straight from the only source you need.
If The Laker/Lutz News is not coming to your door, call us to see where you can get your copy at (813) 909-2800, or read our free e-edition by clicking here.
And see The Laker XL with our brand-new video!
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