Love of golf
Re “Housing or golf?” (Your Views, Dec. 17): This letter to the editor cannot go unanswered. The letter is as insulting to golfers as it is uninformed about them and the game they love.
The writer first throws out a canard about “many” people (these people not being identified) saying “for decades … golf courses are where wealthy white men carve up the … world for profit.” As a golfer for several decades I’ve never even heard this nonsensical trope. As a golfer who has played most of his golf on public courses such as the Virginia Beach National Golf Club, I can say without reservation that this isn’t true. If the letter writer cares to find out the truth and go to the golf club, he would find a diverse cross section of our community enjoying this course (as well as all our public courses). All ages, races and occupations, including boys and girls high school golf teams and kids learning life and golf skills at the adjacent First Tee course frequent the facilities.
As to the golf course itself, the city bought the equivalent of a Mercedes at a Chevrolet price — a course built by world-renowned designer Pete Dye. Over the years the city’s maintenance of the course has been mediocre. Now the City Council wants to sell the course to developers that apparently want to chop it up for housing — leaving some of the Mercedes but bolting Chevrolet parts to the body. This would be shameful. As another letter writer has pointed out, once the city allows changes to an amenity such as Virginia Beach National we can’t get it back.
Tom Dillon, Virginia Beach
Mental health
Mental health and substance use services empower wellness, inspire hope and meet patients where they are. Although stigma and limited access once kept many from seeking care, growing awareness and advocacy have driven positive change. In 2023, nearly 24% of U.S. adults received mental health treatment, with young adults’ treatment rates increasing 45% from 2019 to 2022.
Behavioral health care now covers a spectrum of services — including hospital treatment, partial hospitalization programs and intensive outpatient options. The different options provide accessible and flexible support. Treatment options may reduce disruption to your daily life, promote early intervention and help maintain patient engagement.
Seeking help reflects strength and resilience, not weakness. A broad range of services includes intensive, structured therapy and medical management to support healing and recovery.
We elevate care access through culturally competent teams and inclusive programs for veterans and first responders. Patient-centered approaches enhance outcomes, reduce readmissions and lower crisis incidence. Our goal is delivering the right care at the right time, tailored to individual needs.
Reach out if you need help — support is always available.
At Virginia Beach Psychiatric Center, assessments are available 24/7 via walk-in, referral or by calling 757-627-5433 (LIFE). The 988 hotline offers additional round-the-clock support.
Kurt Hooks, CEO of Virginia Beach Psychiatric Center, Virginia Beach
Redemption
After his many years of cruelty, vanity and acts of non-compassion, I believe President Donald Trump may be past redemption.
His remarks on the death of actor and director Rob Reiner and his wife were the final straw for me. In the last 10 years, I have constantly looked for some hope that Trump was not a bad man. But within a day that hope is whisked away by new comments or actions.
At this time in Trump’s life, he has more yesterdays than tomorrows. I would say, “may God have mercy on his soul at the day of his judgment,” but I don’t think he has any resemblance of a soul. However, as one good friend has told me, we can all be redeemed.
Redemption is awarded once we repent. May the president have the integrity to do so.
Christopher Garguilo, Hampton