By Staff
Interest over recent letters expressed
I read with interest the letters and comments concerning the city taking away Dogwood Hills golf course, tennis courts, swimming pool and playground in order to build a new middle school.
Let me say first that I am thoroughly in favor of our young having the best facilities possible to attend school in. The facilities we now have are not bad facilities, but could certainly be better. That's why the school board purchased 30 acres, more or less, of the Mac Lovelace property just up Highway 31 from Dogwood Hills. So why do they now want to usurp land that has been serving recreational needs of this area since 1937?
Over the years I have seen some of this state and other surrounding states greatest players on this course and they all enjhoyed coming to our town. From Greenville, great players like Gilbert Wesley, Harold Wesley (both state champions), Judge Gamble, Dr. Terrel and the Rainey brothers; From evergreen players like Bill McGhee, Bill Ivey, Bayne Petrey, Bonnie King and Williard Wiliams. From Atmore: H.C. Williams, Ben Maxwell, Lloyd Furner and others. From Andalusia: Bibb Jones, Richard Anthony Ab Powell. From Jackson: David Howell, Tommy Omelia and V.O. Krout. From Niceville: Frank Kedge. From Pensacola: Jack Coulter, Bobby Martin, Dr. Don McMahon, Dick Merrit, Downing Grey, Jerry Pate, Wilmer Mitchell, Fritz Ard (at 40 years of age had a young 18-year-old wife who also was Miss New Orleans), the Cagle Boys (Frank, Conner and Wade), Wally Stewart and Judge Frank Bell were others who came from Pensacola to enjoy our tournaments. We had local favorites too such as the highest of all, Sheriff Scotty Byrne, Ray Turner (a threat any time, anywhere), Ed Miller, Dr. Joe F. Terrell, Robbie Cotton (a state champion), McGowin Miller, and the chief. Obie Monk and Jake Lewis were the masters at putton on a tournament and there were many more interesting and colorful people who made this facility something special for this town.
Let's keep Dogwood Hills something Brewton can be proud of. Stand up and fight if you must to keep this outstanding city-owned facility.
Hugh Ellington
Brewton resident