Dear Editor:
The Twin Lakes Board of Directors would like to respond to a letter to the editor published in the July 24th edition of The Dillon Herald in which the author found little use for the City of Dillon Municipal Golf Course. The board would like to enlighten area residents of the continued positives the course’s operation brings to our city and county.
When the city announced it was making a five year commitment, our board researched the course’s potential impact on the area residents, especially helping those in need. The board presented this to the Mayor in 2013, showing that many non-profit organizations use the golf course as a fundraising venue. These worthy organizations included the American Red Cross, March of Dimes, Pee Dee Coalitions Against Domestic and Sexual Assault, the Little Pee Dee Shrine Club, City of Dillon Fire Department, Dillon Kiwanis Club, the Pilot Club, and the athletic departments of Dillon Christian School and Dillon Districts 2 and 4. Those golf tournaments held that year raised a combined total of over $70,000—with most of the monies staying in Dillon County. This year, many of the same organizations held tournaments hopefully surpassing the figure in 2013. Also this year, the golf course hosted a Pee Dee Seniors tournament, with over 80 golfers from our area, and a Juniors tournament. The golf teams from Dillon Christian School and Latta High School held matches comprised of individuals in their respective conferences, bringing players and spectators from all over the Pee Dee area. The board is confident that these individuals ate at our local restaurants and filled their gas tanks before leaving for their homes, thereby churning commerce in our county. The Seniors enjoyed the course so much that they are returning this fall.
It also saddens the board to see a lady using a wagon to pull children to and from a local store or and elderly couple obviously barely making ends meet; however, there are many local organizations which  use the course as fundraising venues to help those in need. Moreover, the elderly couple, among others, may certainly find pleasure watching their grandchildren play baseball at the Kiwanis ballpark well-maintained by the thousands of dollars they raised at their most recent tournament. Perhaps the welder mentioned in the previous letter parked his truck after a hard day’s work and got in 9 inexpensive relaxing holes of golf, as the City of Dillon Municipal Golf course does not cater to those sitting in a perceived “ivory tower.”
A few weeks ago, Twin Lakes Country Club hosted their annual member-guest weekend tournament with 120 golfers participating. Ages ranged from 19 to 78. Many brought their families with them. They were from all over North and South Carolina, and even a golfer from New York came. Again, they stayed in our motels, ate in our local restaurants, did some local shopping and filled their gas tanks before departing for home. This is just another financial positive that the course’s operation brings to the area.
Dillon is where we choose to call  home. The county has positioned itself to attract new industry, which will come, no doubt, sooner than later. Let’s look “outside the tee box” and recognize the positives that the City of Dillon Municipal Golf course has brought to our area.
Respectfully submitted,
Chris Hayes
Wayne Jackson
Will McLaurin
Felix McLellan, Jr.
K.L. Rogers
Allen Stephens
Jimmy Sweat
Twin Lakes Country Club
Board of Directors
P.O. Box 975
Dillon, SC 29536