I am an avid reader of the Brookings Register, and also a frequent golfer at Edgebrook Golf Course. I have enjoyed both for some 35-plus years.

The recent article (very nicely done) in the Register was written by Mondell Keck and contained some history, and what current plans that Kristin Zimmerman (director of the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department for Brookings) is planning and hoping to implement in the near future. These improvements for locating and utilizing water to keep the golf courses hundreds of acres watered is welcomed. The last paragraph of the long article has me rather puzzled?

Zimmerman was gathering information from the Brookings Municipal Utilities of the costs of utilizing their water to irrigate the course. The estimate would be just over $77,000 per month for water alone.

Really? First off, the course may indeed max out usage for the months of June, July, and August (possibly). But, more importantly is that the City of Brookings, which owns the utilities and the golf course, would charge the golf course standard rates as if I used the water at my kitchen sink? Isn’t that like going from one pants pocket to the other pants pocket? Both are city owned.

Doesn’t the city take care of its own properties? What about baseball and softball diamonds? Many parks in our city? Do all get charged full water rates? Interesting.

Hopefully Zimmerman will find a solution soon.