Golf courses only one of area attractions

Too many of us "enjoy"?complaining about problems in the Golden Plains, whether it's the price of gasoline, the cost of city water, taxes or the weather.

But we have a lot going for us in Southwest Nebraska and Northwest Kansas, and today's Golden Plains Golf Guide is just one indicator.

A list of the golfing possibilities -- all within a comfortable "drive" -- is impressive, from Atwood Country Club, to Arrowhead Meadows, Oberlin Country Club, Enders Lake Golf Club, Imperial Country Club, Cross Creek Golf Links, Benkelman Country Club and Arapahoe Municipal Golf Course. And, let's not forget the Broken Tee Par 3 or even the Wauneta and Trenton sand green golf courses.

But McCookites are partial, of course, to Heritage Hills Golf Course and its challenging, frustrating holes that help train golfers like Gonzaga University's Brandon Crick, who was named the West Coast Conference's freshman of the year, and is featured on the cover of this year's Golf Guide.

For golfers, Southwest Nebraska and Northwest Kansas in general, and McCook in particular, are a good place to spend a day or two or even a week. While they're at it, they need a place to stay, places to eat and evening entertainment when the golfing day is done.

But what if you're not a golfer?

Or what if the golfer wants to bring his or her family along for a weekend get-away? We already have the shopping and fast-food possibilities, but we can do more.

Wouldn't it be great if, say, Dad could hit the links, Mom could go shopping and the kids, say, could play mini-golf, ride go-carts or go to the water slide?

How about a revived drive-in theater? Or, kiddie rides akin to North Platte's Cody Park?

Speaking of parks, now that the legal liability problems have been taken care of, let's get on with making a skate park a reality. And, the new disc golf course at Kelley Park shows just how popular new outdoor activities can be.

The Hot Summer Nights concert series, courtesy of McCook National Bank, shows just what a great venue Norris Park can be. But how many of us have old, neglected high school band instruments languishing in the closet -- wouldn't it be great to get them out to play in a weekly, old-time summer community band concert in the band shell? Time is short, but the Quasquicentennial year would be a great time to get that off the ground.

Yes, many ideas have been tried before and failed, but with the proper planning, "right-sizing" and community support, the right attractions and activities could make McCook's role as a regional "destination" come into its own.