Scandal at Candler Park

The story is so 2020: Gender bias. A politician speaking out of both sides of his mouth. Using government resources in unintended ways - when perfectly good resources are abundant, nearby, and underutilized. Kowtowing to certain special interest groups without consulting those affected. Minorities, children, and schools are given the short end of the stick. Atlanta City Councilman Amir Farokhi should be ashamed of himself.

 

11Alive anchorman Jeff Hullinger reported the story, as only he could:

 

“The problem now is picnic’ers are out here every day without the knowledge of the danger of getting hit by a golf ball” -Intown Golfer-

 

Almost a century of play, and the times are a changin’ at Candler Golf Course. The ancient Atlanta nine is as much a state of mind as it is an athletic endeavor. $10 weekdays. Four Par 4’s, Five Par 3’s.

 

The course recently reopened after a three month closure due to COVID19. During that time, golfers were barred from playing and the course was open for community use, despite golf being a socially distant sport. It’s all walk, no cart at Candler Park Golf Course.

 

Monday the course was closed to golfers again, this time for a “trial period” of community use. This means picnics on greens, bicycles, foot traffic, dogs, and an assortment of other non-golf activities on the course (see pictures below).

 

Golfer and mother Cecily Stevens told me, “No effort was made to include the golfers in conversations around this decision made on their behalf.” Golf course supporters learned that the Candler Park Neighborhood Association and the Candler Park Conservancy contacted District 2 Atlanta City Council Member Amir Farokhi, who took the idea to the Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation, and they enacted the trial period.

 

Ms. Stevens and her family are passionate about the game and the course. “According to Mr. Farokhi and the Candler Park Conservancy, the trial period will likely determine whether it could become seasonal or permanent shared usage,” added Ms. Stevens.

 

The decision would impact not only adult golfers, but junior golfers too. The course is a frequent tournament and practice location for area middle and high schools. For years, there has been a push for the golf course to be integrated into Candler Park as additional park space or a wildlife habitat.

 

Ms. Stevens says, “There is surplus of underutilized greenspace within walking distance of the course. Golfers want the Candler Park Golf Course to be used as it was originally intended 100 years ago, when it was created for a golfer (Lucy Candler) who was refused (gender bias) the opportunity to play more exclusive courses (Druid Hills GC).

 

Hullinger sent an email to Councilman Farokhi and asked him about the future of Candler Park. Is the golf purpose ending?

 

“I don't have too much to say but I do want to make clear about what is occurring, There is no effort afoot to close the golf course or repurpose it,” wrote the councilman. Mr. Farokhi continued with the following statement: “The City Department of Parks, which manages the City's golf courses, at the request of neighborhood and park organizations, and supported by me, will launch a 60-day trial period starting Monday, July 13, during which, on Mondays, the course will be open for community use and not for golf. Efforts will be made to protect the greens and the course. The same thing is occurring at Chastain right now on Tuesdays. For reference, currently, 10% of the Candler Park Golf Course's weekly use occurs on Mondays.’

 

A retiree who plays Candler Park Golf often and a long-time member of nearby Druid Hills Golf Club told me, “There is plenty of middle ground to be explored here on this issue, unless their end goal is something similar to Piedmont Park—no golf course.”

 

In 1922, Coca Cola founder Asa Candler donated 55 acres to the city for a park. His daughter Lucy loved golf and needed a place to play. Mr. Candler commissioned his favorite Atlanta landscape artist Helen Smith to create a golf course. She is alleged to have used her own backhoe and two sons to get most of the golf work completed. In 1927, Atlanta had a brand new 1,900 yard, 9 hole golf course designed by a woman for a girl.

 

The history of Candler Golf Course is unique. Mayors Jackson and Campbell both played the course. A murder victim was once found dumped on its putting green. Many intown kids have first been introduced to golf here. The wetlands include waterfowl and otters. Mark Twain once described golf, “a good walk spoiled.” Nothing at Candler Park Golf Course spoils the walk, unless it’s picnics, bicycles, and Mondays.

 

People used the Candler Park Golf Course as a park - when the golf course was closed during the pandemic. Now that the golf course has reopened, residents must be inconvenienced to commute a few hundred yards further to recreate. How much demand is there for park space on Mondays? Would you close another government agency (like a library) to use as a park, when other parks are nearby?

 

The Candler Park Golf Course is literally surrounded by parks and greenspace. In the southwest quadrant of Candler Park there’s a field and playground. There’s another playground and grassy area in the southeast corner. A walking trail borders the northern edge of the course. Across the street from the northwestern corner of the course is Freedom Park, a new greenspace that stretches for blocks, to the Carter Center and beyond. Goldsboro park is only a couple blocks away, as is Olmstead Linear Park, that runs alongside Ponce de Leon, “where the traffic noise is too loud” complains one resident in the area overrun with parks. There’s another nice park on the other side of Little Five Points.

When I lived on Goldsboro Road I had a park right outside my door. From my Greenwood Avenue apartment I would walk a couple of blocks down tree-lined streets to Piedmont Park. My house on Hillpine is right across Monroe from the beltline, which connects to Piedmont Park. The beltline runs right behind my son’s house on Stafford Street. Now I have to walk, bike, or drive two or three miles to the nearest recreation area. I think I’ll survive.   

 

Candler Park is the only public golf course in the area. The next closest is several miles away, southwest of downtown on the other side of I-20. Amir says the course only gets 10% of its use on Mondays, but it’s an important ten percent. Candler is used on Mondays by junior golfers and local high school golf teams. Does this mean the councilman is anti-children, and soft on education?

 

I learned to golf at Candler Park. Taught my son and daughter to play there. Played there with my wife, her parents, my brother, friends, coworkers, and strangers. Connected to the community while golfing at Candler. My son and I still play there. Afterward we’d enjoy a beverage at Manuel’s or the convenience store across the street, or eat at Little Five Points. I know many others who play golf at Candler Park, with similar experiences.

 

As for so many in Atlanta, history is unimportant. To overcome gender bias, Asa Candler donated the land so his daughter would have a place to golf. The course was laid out and shaped by a woman. You’d think in these times such history would be celebrated.

 

Hullinger reports that residents who support the golf course weren’t consulted. Why not? Will they be considered when the trial period is over?

 

Amir was quoted by Jeff Hullinger: “I do want to be clear” wrote Farokhi. “There is no effort afoot to close the golf course or repurpose it.” But then in the very next sentence Amir says the complete opposite – “supported by me” is political-speak meaning Amir himself brought the motion before the city council. And “the course will be open for community use and not for golf.” Which one is it, councilman?