By Vince DePietro (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #308) on Thursday, May 11, 2006 - 12:52 pm: |
Green Village Golf resort is the latest project being proposed which is a 9 hole course opposite Buddy Dive together with houses on the course. For the life of me I don't know how they can pull this off with the cost of water being so expensive! I really have no problem with the golf course although I certainly do with the potential ensuing environmental impact on the reef which it certainly might have...
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By Brigitte Kley - Coco Palm Garden (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #436) on Thursday, May 11, 2006 - 2:29 pm: |
YES !!! That you are concerned for an eventuel impact on the reef is one thing, but the way you put that question is rather offending for us living here. Perhaps you don' t believe it, but even on Bonaire there are people who know and love to play golf.
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By Jerry Gauron (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #614) on Thursday, May 11, 2006 - 3:01 pm: |
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By T-Shirt Divers John and Sue (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #380) on Thursday, May 11, 2006 - 3:07 pm: |
Eventhough we are golfers, please save the reef!
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By Brigitte Kley - Coco Palm Garden (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #437) on Thursday, May 11, 2006 - 3:09 pm: |
Jerry have you ever heard of grey water ????? As there are quite a number of hotels along the strip by Buddies, it can't be difficult at all... ever heard of desert golf courses ??? No ?? Ever heard of envirement friedly golf courses??? No ??? Ever heard of gras and trees with little need for water ???? Just search the internet and you will be surprised !
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By Kelly Baum (GDLW) (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4082) on Thursday, May 11, 2006 - 3:31 pm: |
Brigitte, that's what I was picturing, a desert golf course. And I don't even play golf. lol. I'll be interested to see how this all pans out.
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By Bruce Wallace (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #163) on Thursday, May 11, 2006 - 4:16 pm: |
Briggite, I've seen desert golf courses. Isn't there a small course somewhere on Bonaire? I think its the type where you drive the ball to a sandy fairway and then use a astroturf mat (like at driving ranges) place your ball, and then hitting to a green. If it were to be a lush green fairway with palm trees that would be great. I'm just a visitor and have concerns about the chemicals and fertilizers and such but, it's not my island. It would be nice to have a well managed course there that uses its resources to put something back into the Bonairean community as well as making a profit.
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By Brigitte Kley - Coco Palm Garden (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #438) on Thursday, May 11, 2006 - 4:34 pm: |
The golf course Piedra So (Stones only - at Washikimba) has very special roules ... I have not been there for several months, so I do not know the rules at the moment. It is a long and bumpy dirt road , no trees not even cactus so close to the rough east coast, the white stones make it even hotter out there than it is on Bonaire .... I just don't like it there....
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By Vince DePietro (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #309) on Thursday, May 11, 2006 - 5:43 pm: |
Brigitte... RELAX... (You know you can't play golf well if you're tense). I asked a rhetorical question in my initial posting. No offense of anyone was explicitly or implicitly stated nor implied.
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By Brigitte Kley - Coco Palm Garden (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #439) on Thursday, May 11, 2006 - 6:19 pm: |
Vince, you have a strange way of writing - are you a teacher ? ..... and you are not great in reading what other people write ..... Why do you think that Palm Springs is the only kind of desert course (for me it is not a desert course at all ! there are a few in Arizona as far as I know, otherwise in Spain, or South of France which could be an example for Bonaire) ... and why do you think that grey water is autmatically bad ... and that there are no people living on Bonaire who would like a golf course .... and there is no youth who would like to try something that they see normally only on TV ? And why should there be automatically a bad effect on the reef ? The web sites for envirement techniques of today are plenty, just search for them....
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By Carole B. (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5599) on Thursday, May 11, 2006 - 6:28 pm: |
I have seen the runoff from the huge golf course on the north end of Aruba after a heavy, heavy rainfall...it is not a pretty sight at Arashi Beach when this happens. Brown water and it was closed for a couple of days years ago when we were there. I don't know if it was "environmentally friendly" as far as the fertilizer and the rest goes, but I do know the earth/dirt, itself, eroded (similar to what happened in Sabadeco during the deluges a while back) and it was a mess.
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By Vince DePietro (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #310) on Thursday, May 11, 2006 - 7:46 pm: |
Brigitte..Don't know exactly where you're coming from with your postings, but it appears to me you're really reading things "between the lines" (or should I say projecting) which I never stated. If you read my profile you'd now that I'm not a teacher. Hope you get the golf course which you are apparently so protective of & enjoy many happy hours on it.
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By jenny (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #142) on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 8:36 am: |
There may some underground sources of water in Bonaire. In March we were looking at houses, and one or two of them had a "sweetwater spring" with a pump. The realtor said it could be used to fill the pool or for watering, but it was a bit brackish.
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By pat murphy (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #852) on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 9:34 am: |
jerry, if you had ever seen me golf you'd know that my cost per stroke would be way, way down. those people who shoot in the 70's and 80's are just wasting money. they are paying about $.75/stroke. i can get my cost per stroke down to about $.35 by playing my usual game.
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By seb (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2795) on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 10:24 am: |
Brigitte, there are many golf courses around the world. There is only one Bonaire. You knew it had no golf course when you moved there. As you say, there are other islands with golf courses and they are not far away. If golf is very important to you, you could have settled someplace that provided it. You could also go for a weekend outing to a nearby golf course.
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By Brigitte Kley - Coco Palm Garden (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #440) on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 11:30 am: |
Seb, it is not about me and if I like that golf course (till I read it on BT I had never heard of it), but it is about the way that some of BT try to tell people born here or living here for many many years what is good for them and what they have to do. But the moment somebody from here makes a comment about the US these same people get agressive like ..... look of some other threats from the last weeks....
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By Harrie Cox (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #369) on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 12:57 pm: |
Brigitte,
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By Carole B. (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5605) on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 1:29 pm: |
This is becoming very ugly now
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By Patrick T. (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1078) on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 2:21 pm: |
Harrie, I knew you would come out of the wood work on this one. Why do you always have to be so negative. I don't see anyone telling anyone nothing, except for you. All anyone is worried about is the reef and the impact this has on it. Which you also should worry about. I know I am!!!!
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By Brigitte Kley - Coco Palm Garden (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #441) on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 2:50 pm: |
I tried as good as possible from the beginning on to show that there are different ways of thinking and different ways of doing something - and I tried to ask for some respect for people living on Bonaire. I even tried to say something in a little comic way, when I ask Vince if he is a teacher .... as I see it, only few of the replys tried to deal with my answers, but they lectured me like I was the one builing the golf course tomorrow .... and some of them clearly showed that they even have no idea what they are talking about (try to look it up what a desert golf course means ... not a golf course in the desert please !) .... as usual Harries comment was much more direct , I would guess because of some comments in other threats .....
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By Patrick T. (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1079) on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 3:14 pm: |
Briqitte i agree with you, but i don't think of Bonaire as being 3rd world. More as a very special place and to be protected because of the reefs surrounding the island and the culture of the Bonaireans. Thats my humble thoughts.
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By Kelly Baum (GDLW) (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4091) on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 3:21 pm: |
Patrick, I agree... I think Bonaire is our haven and respite from the real world and that it needs to be preserved in pristine condition. However, Bonaire IS their real world. It is only natural for them to want a bit of progress, and more say in that progress than the folks who merely vacation there. But, please, NOT a Super WalMart?? Ever?? lol!
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By Debbie Babcock (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3377) on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 3:24 pm: |
Jeez, I truly believe everyone is just a bit too touchy around this board lately. Relax everyone. The Bonaire Reporter this week did have a clip on the new golf course in question and it is my guess is what started this whole thing. BTW, I do not think Bonaire is a 3rd world country either. Let's all play nice.
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By seb (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2801) on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 4:50 pm: |
Brigitte, I happen to think Bonaire is a very special little island in the sun, and yes, I feel it is my right to voice my opinion against so called progress. Just as you and Harrie and other resident aliens feel you have the right to complain about Americans. Please both of you notice, no one here is stopping you from doing that. But you should stop being surprised that when you attack folks, they get defensive, and may strike back.
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By jenny (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #147) on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 5:02 pm: |
Since Bonaire already has a golf course, could adding another one really be called progress? Why not just improve upon the old one? It's such a small island for 2 golf courses.
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By Jerry Gauron (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #626) on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 5:48 pm: |
This is getting out of hand, step back, breath, good, now let's slow down a bit.
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By MONTY FORBESS (BonaireTalker - Post #60) on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 6:48 pm: |
hey bridgette, if they build a course, could i make enough money being your caddy to move down there?
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By Grasshopper (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #18072) on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 7:25 pm: |
Monty, get in line! ;-)
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By Grasshopper (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #18075) on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 8:01 pm: |
Here is the other link to Piedra So Bonairean Golf Club. It's in Dutch though so I have no idea what it says (except that the English links "Shop" and "Tourist" info are "under construction).
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By Meryl Virga (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4596) on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 8:10 pm: |
a golf course would be nice...but it would have to be artificial turf...due to run off and pesticides being introduced into the ocean. More like a miniture golf course...include the kids!...
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By Gail Thomas (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1181) on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 8:53 pm: |
Wow - I actually agree with Seb's thoughts. (With BT, anything is possible! )
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By jenny (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #151) on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 9:22 pm: |
Yeah.... Meryl has a good idea. Mini golf complete with astro turf would be super fun!
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By seb (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2803) on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 10:12 pm: |
I was going to suggest miniature golf, but it's too darn hot in the day, and too buggy at night ( I always think of miniature golf as a nighttime game.)
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By Carl Pflanzer (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #283) on Saturday, May 13, 2006 - 10:19 am: |
So Harrie, you don't like Americans? It did not say that in your BT profile. I want to make sure I have this correct, because your posting was very strong and directly anti-US. Our government monitors people who make statements like yours.
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By Susan - "Bonaire Shore Diving Made Easy" (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #307) on Saturday, May 13, 2006 - 10:20 am: |
Meryl,
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By Linda Stoltzfus (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #851) on Saturday, May 13, 2006 - 3:11 pm: |
Meryl reminded of me of a special "find" on one of our Harley rides last year.
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By Menno (BonaireTalker - Post #88) on Saturday, May 13, 2006 - 6:49 pm: |
He, Herrie is back !!! Will become "fun" again this one ....
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By WHUDS (BonaireTalker - Post #44) on Sunday, May 14, 2006 - 9:26 am: |
Funny I have lived here for 5 months now while at Medical school.
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By Menno (BonaireTalker - Post #89) on Sunday, May 14, 2006 - 10:37 am: |
Maybe does a golf course add something to Bonaire. Why not give this a change. Why not make 2 ?? Some competition is good for business. Windsurfing came and has shown a steady and solid growth and when Kitesurfing came "everybody" did his and her best to ban that. Gladly they survived that all and now, IMHO, it really adds something to Bonaire. Now golf is new, so that's bad now.
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By Harrie Cox (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #370) on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 1:09 pm: |
Hello Menno, Thank you for welcoming me so warmly, but please write my name correctly. Menno, please keep in mind that you are financially dependant from your clients, Dutch as well as American, and that probably influences your ideas about those people. I am not. That makes a difference. BTW: I am not an old retired person, I still have to do work to make my money, and I also understand that Bonaire has to grow and has to change, to survive. But please, not in the direction Aruba did……
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By anne hainsworth (BonaireTalker - Post #54) on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 1:48 pm: |
Discourse and debate is always a good thing, for the people who live in Bonaire and have to deal with daily life and realities there, and for divers/tourists who find it very peaceful. This board is good for that. The whole "Big Brother" theme/threat/whatever that was real helpful for representing the US, thanks. Kneejerk reactions invoking the spector of satellite surveillance and saying anyone who has had a negative experience with Americans hates our country is, well, not really the experience of most people I have met (around the world), but when I see statements like that, I can see how people get miffed (and as we all know, these kind of arguments bring out the BEST in everybody). I am in that government-work world, have been all my life, and we sure don't like to throw comments like that out too much-- we save that task for talking heads who are trying to get reelected by keeping everyone afraid and angry. Now stop this U.S. vs the world stuff or I will dispatch small military aircraft! Peace on Bonaire Talk, with love, from a "crunchy" conservative! A
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By Brigitte Kley - Coco Palm Garden (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #442) on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 1:56 pm: |
Anne, thanks ! At least one of the US-BTers who saw the ludicrous comment about the watching US government for what it is and commented on it ! I was shocked when I read it ! Where is the right of free speech ?
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By anne hainsworth (BonaireTalker - Post #55) on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 1:59 pm: |
If my last post was kind of unreadable, here's another try: not all Americans want to "Americanize" everything (in the commercial way), some are proud to be where they're from but they don't see the need to taunt other people to make a point. I've found that this board is a good place for me to LISTEN and LEARN about life and business on Bonaire, not pick fights about which way is better. Bonaire, like the U.S., is a work in progress, with many wonderful people and always a few annoying ones who manage to get a lot of attention.
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By anne hainsworth (BonaireTalker - Post #56) on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 2:09 pm: |
I've heard a lot of comments like that throughout my life, but many more in the past five, difficult and confusing years since we were attacked. This is not the post to divert into a review of American culture and world views of my country, but I just had to respond, because, simply, I found it to bizarre and unhelpful comment (although he's free to speak his mind if that's what his views are). I have a theory I've developed called my "5 percent rule," feel free to remember it when you meet someone from another culture or political tensions take over. 95 percent of the world just wants to live in peace,work hard, get home at night, have dinner, feed their dog, and pay their honest dues in society. The other 5 percent are crazy and get on TV. I'll leave with that thought so the moderators don't have to reorganize everything and I don't annoy anyone who's really having a bad day and doesn't care about this stuff... I'll be in Bonaire next month, can't wait for the hospitality and beauty, and yes, the slower pace!
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By Harrie Cox (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #372) on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 2:26 pm: |
Brigitte,
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By Jerry Gauron (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #641) on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 2:27 pm: |
Anne, don't forget to take your golf clubs.
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By Brigitte Kley - Coco Palm Garden (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #443) on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 2:29 pm: |
Nooooooo !!!!!!!!!! But I can not see any excuse to make these kind of comments in a discussion ! Sounds like these comments "nuke them" ......
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By anne hainsworth (BonaireTalker - Post #57) on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 2:29 pm: |
No clubs this trip, unless I need them to chase people away from my truck...
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By anne hainsworth (BonaireTalker - Post #58) on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 2:33 pm: |
Regarding the golf course, I'm inclined to agree with the commenter who said it probably wouldn't be a great investment for the island (not a golf "destination"). The cost-benefit analysis would certainly be interesting to see. I think I'll just golf in Bermuda and dive in Bonaire. I guess I could always get a job retrieving golf balls from the ocean if I decide to quit my desk job.
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By MONTY FORBESS (BonaireTalker - Post #64) on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 2:52 pm: |
Hey Marcus, i think after you guys kick off your shoes, apply the sandals and head for pasa bon pizza, we need to invite all of the folks over for a couple of cases of amstel brites, i think after that, they might find that there is a lot more incommon than they think, oh by the way, the shoes come off june 7
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By Marcus L. Barnes (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #632) on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 3:16 pm: |
There are elments on this thread and the good, bad and ugly thread that are insuating that anyone who does not actually live on the island does not have a right to an opinion about the island. If someone who doesn't actually live on the island expresses their opinion they are accused of "telling Bonaire how to reorganize itself or telling Bonaire that it should adopt foreign ways." So, it seems to me that the only way to make these elements happy is to get those who don't live on the island to stop posting their opinions of Bonaire on Bonaire Talk.....Too late, here's mine: A golf course on Bonaire is a bad idea in my opinion. Anything that remotely threatens to harm the reef is a financial mistake in that there are several studies that prove a intact reef is much more valuable in terms of income for an island than a reef that is destroyed by over fishing for example; that is to say, the income from the fish is much lower than the income from those that visit the reef. It would have to be one eco sound project to make it worthwhile in my opinion. Of course, I don't live on Bonaire so what do I know anyway. This, however, I do know: 18 days and a wakeup!! Have a nice day.
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By Marcus L. Barnes (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #633) on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 3:20 pm: |
Testify Monty!! June 3d for us my man. Later.
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By Just Jeanine Again (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2629) on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 4:03 pm: |
One wake up here. We are a dive/golf family and for us Bonaire is the dive trip. We would understand the need for a second golf course if the first one were already doing well but from our limited experience it is not, so why invest when the first one is not doing well? Just our humble-US-Non Bonaire resident opinion.
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By Vince DePietro (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #313) on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 5:50 pm: |
Well this thread was started by me to be an open & honest discussion/debate about the efficacy of the new proposed golf course. That's all. Nothing else was ever intended. From there it certainly appears to have morphed (or more accurately deteriorated) into one strange thread with accusations (some personal) going back & forth.
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By Garrison D. Ipock Jr. (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #3) on Monday, May 22, 2006 - 11:22 am: |
Been coming to Bonaire for 20 years. I have built a golf course now ranked in the top 100 in the US. Be glad to comment on any questions regarding construction, costs, management. I could write a book on all the aspects. I am sure it could be done but WOW what a job. I won't be bringing my clubs with me. I love the game but the first Big question is who would play?
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By Meryl Virga (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4614) on Monday, May 22, 2006 - 4:57 pm: |
Linda, great link...looks like "real turf " to me!
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By Ruth van Tilburg (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #583) on Monday, May 22, 2006 - 8:21 pm: |
The 4 courts at Harbor Village are almost full every night from 6pm-on, especially Tuesdays & Fridays (round-robin nights), with local/resident tennis players. No bugs-just nice breezes & lots of beer. There are other outdoor courts also busy in the early hours & evenings. The HV courts are not really noticeable from the street, possibly contributing to the image that tennis is not played much here. Other facilities host indoor and/or outdoor football (soccer), volleyball, bowling, basketball, softball, table tennis (ping-pong), swimming competitions, yoga, gyms, tai kwon do, judo, choirs, bands, etc., for adults and kids, for their individual enjoyment, and for the teams of Bonaire to use to prepare for competitions. But basically, the point of this thread comes down to the 'behind the scenes' things that visitors might not think of. What I've listed above are activities most visitors would not travel to participate in, but are necessary and/or desired by residents. Golf is still one of the top sport reasons to travel (maybe is still #1; I believe most stats also show that golfers spend more locally, per person, than other travelers). It's no secret Bonaire needs income to support the community-the island itself, as well as all of the other support industries, from restaurants to the laundry. It's hard to have an entire economy's infrastructure based on a year-round resident population of only 14,000. Having a responsibly built challenging/unique situation golf course can add that extra 'pro' factor for some tourists, groups and small conventions considering Bonaire as a destination choice, besides being a sport for residents. A sport like golf may be the added boost we need to keep the airplane seats full year-round, encouraging airlines to keep flying here, and not drop frequency like Air Jamaica has done. Bonaire is constantly stuck in a 'catch-22' situation. We need more hotel rooms to keep flights full to keep airlines flying here. And we need more hotel rooms (or at least the same amount maintained) to give the airlines someplace to put their passengers. Flights here will not increase or become easier if there's no place to put the people; if golf helps keep demand for seats & rooms up, it's good for the overall economy.
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By Cecil (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4676) on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 - 8:41 am: |
Ruth, very nicely put and it is a catch 22. IMHO I do not believe that a golf course is the solution in either the short or long term. I do not see how the ecology of Bonaire could ever support it being a golf destination (you don't have enough water). Now you could have one or two courses but that would not be enough to attract many golfers. They really need a few courses to be happy on a week long vacation.
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By zamira (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Sunday, June 4, 2006 - 11:59 am: |
Hey peoples i just want to say something: Bonaire needs a golf course!! And if it's possible Bonaire doesn't need only need a GOLF COURSE.. Bonaire needs a SWIMMING POOL with 8 lanes and 50m long too like Curacao. A golf course and a swimming pool on Bonaire it's a good thing because there's alot of peoples (Kids, Teens and Adults)that like to swim. There's a group of swimming on Bonaire. We really need a big pool to train in it.. And if there's a Competition that Competition could be on Bonaire. A Competition could mean alot to Bonaire 1 because it brings more peoples to Bonaire and more money and tourism. So my point is if we make a SWIMMING POOL on Bonaire our Kids, Teens and Adults would be happy ANd Bonaire could be happy too because more peoples are coming when there's a Competition on Bonaire and more money. So Bonaire needs to have A SWIMMING POOL !!. Just think about it.
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By Enrique (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Sunday, June 4, 2006 - 1:59 pm: |
Hey peoples i just want to say something: I know the water is expensive here on Bonaire but read this. I want one of those 2 to come true. Bonaire needs a golf course!! And if it's possible Bonaire doesn't need only need a GOLF COURSE.. Bonaire needs a SWIMMING POOL with 8 lanes and 50m long too like Curacao. A golf course and a swimming pool on Bonaire it's a good thing because there's alot of peoples (Kids, Teens and Adults)that like to swim. There's a group of swimming on Bonaire. We really need a big pool to train in it.. And if there's a Competition that Competition could be on Bonaire. A Competition could mean alot to Bonaire 1 because it brings more peoples to Bonaire and more money and tourism. So my point is if we make a SWIMMING POOL on Bonaire our Kids, Teens and Adults would be happy ANd Bonaire could be happy too because more peoples are coming when there's a Competition on Bonaire and more money. So Bonaire needs to have A SWIMMING POOL !!. Just think about it.
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By Enrique (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Sunday, June 4, 2006 - 2:04 pm: |
Hey peoples i just want to say something: I know the water is expensive here on Bonaire but read this. I want one of those 2 to come true. Bonaire needs a golf course!! And if it's possible Bonaire doesn't need only need a GOLF COURSE.. Bonaire needs a SWIMMING POOL with 8 lanes and 50m long too like Curacao. A golf course and a swimming pool on Bonaire it's a good thing because there's allot of peoples (Kids, Teens and Adults)that like to swim. There's a group of swimming on Bonaire. We really need a big pool to train in it.. And if there's a Competition that Competition could be on Bonaire. A Competition could mean allot to Bonaire 1 because it brings more peoples to Bonaire and more money and tourism. So my point is if we make a SWIMMING POOL on Bonaire our Kids, Teens and Adults would be happy ANd Bonaire could be happy too because more peoples are coming when there's a Competition on Bonaire and more money. So Bonaire needs to have A SWIMMING POOL !!. Just think about it.
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By Marilyn Mc Clain Friedrich (BonaireTalker - Post #14) on Sunday, June 4, 2006 - 2:54 pm: |
Don't know much about Curacao anymore (lived there for a year 43 years ago!), but I really ache for the changes that have happened in Aruba. Life has changed dramatically there, and not necessarily for the better. I have family and friends who live there and still go every year. I'm spending some time in July in Bonaire to try to recapture some of the peace and beauty Aruba used to have. One thing that is truly wonderful in Aruba is there sports facilities. My friends in Aruba have children who are very active in the swimming program there and the facilities are beautiful. It is critical to develop facilities for the residents of the island (especially the youth) as well as focusing on what brings in an income. I'm in the minority that finds golf boring (I know - I'm a Phillistine), but hey, if it attracts tourist and doesn't hurt the ecology - go for it! Enough said. Feel free to throw darts at me when I arrive!
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By Kurt Young (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Thursday, August 10, 2006 - 9:18 am: |
Wow...new to the site. My wife and I have visited Bonaire and hope someday if we are lucky enough to move there. I loved the fact that things were NOT open all hours of the day, that cats were sleeping on the beer when we went to the store, the easy laid back attitudes of the wonderful people we met, especially the lack of all the crap we have to deal with here in the US, even in the small town where we live. Bonaire seems to be a very wonderful place and hopefully it's charm and character won't be abandoned and pushed aside in the rush for technology and conveniences. As long as things can be thought out with long term consequences (environmental, economical and cultural in mind) there should be no reason why Bonaire cannot have "it's cake and eat it too!" Now I'm new and don't want to ruffle any feathers but it seems that Bonaire has two natural resources, salt and diving. Bonaire is considered a gem in the world-wide diving community and that is something to be both proud of and protective of.
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By Garrison D. Ipock Jr. (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #10) on Thursday, August 10, 2006 - 10:23 am: |
Kurt, I don't think that you have anything to worry about regarding a golf course on Bonaire.I commented earlier having the experience of building one here in the states. Our cost to build,10 million dollars, cost to operated 2.5 million a year. The construction costs was 7 years ago and there was no cost for the property (242 acres). Obviously, the materials and expertise was local and readily available. In order to make profit we need 25,000 rounds a year at 100.00 a round. I do not have any desire to play golf when I come to Bonaire and I have been coming for over twenty years. A golfer knows that the game itself takes between 4 and 5 hours to play. The tropical sun and heat and wind make the game difficult to say the least and not enjoyable for the majority of the golfers that may be older. Those by the way are usually the ones that can afford paying the expensive green fees. The maintenance of the course is a whole different story. ENJoy Bonaire as I have for what it is.
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