Recognize Sandridge Golf Club as a community treasure

I was excited to purchase my annual Vero Beach Garden Club ornament again this year. We have a complete set, dating from the very first one modeled on the historic train station.

Each year the ornament seems to grow in sophistication and beauty. Kudos to the design artist, Arun Wijetilleke, for another great design, and to the Garden Club for creating this holiday tradition.

At this point, it seems as if every place of any note in our county has been represented on these terrific mementos. I'd like to nominate an additional community treasure to be recognized and memorialized on next year's ornament: Sandridge Golf Club.

SGC, a county-owned and -operated facility, has been in existence since 1982. The complex has two full-length, championship courses, in addition to a comprehensive practice facility. It is recognized as an ecologically well-managed environment by Audubon and is an impressively beautiful physical space, with lakes, forested areas, much wildlife and well-maintained and attractive expanses of turf (which I rarely see — much more the woods and lakes).

It is not unusual for more than 100,000 rounds of golf to be played there each year. It is a popular and significant amenity for many county residents and has great natural beauty; sounds like a no-brainer for the next ornament.

Tom Manwaring, Vero Beach