EDITOR: I have a view of the John Fry golf course that is
different from that of Mark Grzan as published in a Board of
Contributor
’s column in the Jan. 27 edition.
EDITOR:
I have a view of the John Fry golf course that is different from that of Mark Grzan as published in a Board of Contributor’s column in the Jan. 27 edition.
My perspective is as a neighbor, as my home is adjacent to the course. I understand the issues over permitting and that they will have to be worked out, but I am thinking about the big picture here.
First of all the course is simply beautiful, a marvelous creation. This alone makes it worthwhile. In addition its playing length (over 8,000 yards) makes it unique in the world of golf. Properly permitted and developed, the course could be a major attraction in the community and make a significant contribution to the economic well-being of Morgan Hill.
Much has been made of the course’s development without permits – demolishing the natural open space that we call “Morgan Hill.” However, let’s keep in mind that there was a golf course on the site well before John Fry acquired it. While they expanded it, the essential use of the land is the same as it was before.
Further, the golf course is only a parcel of a few hundred acres. Next to it sits open space of thousands of acres, up to and including Henry W. Coe State Park. With all of the open space around, why are we getting so exercised over this one parcel? There is development going on all over the valley that requires attention, so I hope we can keep this project in perspective.
My view is that a golf course is a much more natural use of the land than most alternatives – another housing tract for example, or a Sam’s Warehouse or yet another Costco in our community with their acres of asphalt parking lots.
It just seems to me that John Fry has created a beautiful, unique and valuable asset. In the long run, I believe it will come to be viewed as an asset to the City of Morgan Hill as well. Certainly that should be the goal as the permitting process is worked through to completion.
Bob Strickland, San Martin
