Those who advocate walking only are no better than those who would require everyone to ride carts. As long as people play at a decent pace, are courteous in their walking or riding, and take good care of the course, why care? Golf is to be enjoyed. Life is all about choices. Though I can see a potential issue when it comes to high level competitions, for the most part, who really cares?
If memory serves, the topography and routing on this particular course makes walking very difficult. Isn't it the one that has an elevator to take the cart from one section at the bottom up to another at the top of the hill by the clubhouse?
Lloyd Cole,
As I noted on another thread on this subject by A.G. Crockett, I actually wrote the USGA asking the organization to use its bully pulpit with the large management companies (American Golf Corp. in this particular case) in support of its "Walking Member" campaign. American Golf had taken over the management of the private club I was a member of for many years and instituted a mandatory riding policy for weekend and holiday mornings. I got a call back from a staffer telling me that the USGA doesn't get involved with their member clubs in how they operate their businesses. I think his words were something to the effect: "We don't tell the clubs how to cook their hamburgers". Needless to say, I was fuming over this guy's attitude and very disappointed with the hypocrisy on the part of the organization.
It seems like the USGA at times talks out of both sides of its mouth. If walking is indeed important in terms of the physicality and traditions of the sport, then it should do more to promote it. This includes, in my opinion, advising its member clubs that it strongly supports programs and practices which facilitate walking as an option.