I applaud Maine golf course owners’ efforts to bring in more out-of-state golfers, but I am equally concerned that some owners fear the state’s “prohibition on alcoholic beverage on the links will impede their marketing efforts.” (Aug. 18)

I’ve seen the effects of alcohol, and it upsets me to think that some people believe alcohol and sports go together.

The game of golf has many rules, not the least of which involve proper conduct on the course. Why spoil it by allowing the purchase of alcohol on the course?

I am a golfer, and I have played on many courses in Maine where signs in the clubhouse say “No alcohol beyond this point.” Signs apparently don’t stop alcohol being on the course, and trash receptacles prove it.

A course manager told me courses can “control” how much people drink if the club sells alcohol. It’s not controlled now. Is selling it on the course going to make it any better?

Does any club want to be responsible for a player being killed, injured or causing an accident as a result of “controlling” drinking on the course.

I believe the “control” factor comes down to how much money the club can make from on-course sales, and not so much the wish to make the course user-friendly.

Maine has many wonderful golf courses. Promoting the beauty and playability of the courses will bring in more green fees than will changing the law on alcohol sales.

Evelyn C. Ehrenfried,

Lewiston

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