Editorial: Thumbs

To harsh state golf tournament rules.
Disqualification for a high school golfer with a scorecard discrepancy seems rather harsh. Yes, golfers must make sure the person in the group recording the score is recording and totaling the score correctly. That’s true. But these aren’t pros on the PGA tour. Considering one simple math error or a faulty count by a player from another school could dash the work and hope of an entire squad’s season, it seems more like a two-stroke penalty is in order than outright disqualification, as what happened to a member of the United South Central boys’ golf team. It’s not like anyone was cheating; it was a common disagreement on the score. The DQ resulted in the team getting fifth, rather than second, at state. Disqualification also happened to a girl golfer in Oregon. She was to be the state champ by nine strokes, but a player recorded her score incorrectly on one hole. Give the kids a break. DQ pretty much says: “You shouldn’t have even gotten up this morning, kid.”

To an extension on trail talks.
Bicycle enthusiasts and many homeowners who live near the former Union Pacific Railroad line between Albert Lea and Hartland really would like to see that route become a paved trail for bikers and walkers, rather than grown-over weeds. Not only will the route bring tourists to the cities of Albert Lea, Manchester and Hartland, it will enhance the local bicycle system and bolster property values near the trail. Everyone wins. Kudos to Freeborn County and the Union Pacific for agreeing to discuss the matter for another 180 days.

To Ralph and Pat Yotter.
What a great pair they are! Pat has kept the public informed about Ralph’s condition by contacting the Tribune daily. Her taking the initiative by picking up the phone has been so helpful for readers wanting updates on her husband. Ralph is a burn victim who survived a house explosion June 8 about a mile north of Freeborn. He is at Regions Hospital in St. Paul and underwent skin-graft surgery Friday. Both Ralph and Pat are 75. Pat said he came through the surgery well. “Doctors said he is a fighter,” she told the Tribune.