Heritage Hills, pro-am tourney make ours a better place to live

A former city councilman used to talk about the "critical mass" needed to create and maintain a thriving community.

Jobs are the most important component, perhaps, followed by housing, medical care, education, retail businesses and a long list of others.

Recreation may be a ways down the list, but its importance shouldn't be dismissed.

Founders of Heritage Hills were looking to create a world-class golf course, and they succeeded -- including the latest improvement projects to update the layout.

But they also know how important a good golf course is to the other ingredients in that critical mass.

How many spouses do their retail shopping while the other is on the golf course -- and one shouldn't jump to conclusions as to which gender is doing which.

When it comes to education, Heritage Hills gives high school and college golfers such a challenge that they're rarely intimidated by other courses. And after getting his start here, McCook's own Brandon Crick has qualified for the 2013 U.S. Open.

We're sure many business deals were conceived in the process of playing a round of golf, and Heritage Hills makes McCook attractive to many professionals, including those involved in the medical profession.

But this weekend, Heritage Hills is making an even more important contribution to Southwest Nebraska's medical care, hosting the 25th annual John Mullen Pro-Am golf tournament to benefit the Community Hospital Health Foundation.

Started in honor of former Heritage Hills assistant pro John Mullen, who lost his battle with cancer at just 23, the tournament that bears his name has raised more than $304,000 for the foundation over its last 24 years, and it's on track to make another major contribution this year.

Fans have a chance to see some talented athletes in action, starting with the Ron Coleman Memorial Horserace tonight at 4 o'clock.

Even if you're not a golfer, this three-day event offers some exciting action and the knowledge that our community is a better place because of it.