after-school programs, special events, teen advisory committees, summer camp programs and early childhood/preschool programs.

Tom Elenz

joined the Niles Park District as finance director. A native of Niles, he previously was the senior accountant for the Village of Niles, where he worked for ten years. Elenz graduated in 1988 from Carthage College in Kenosha, Wis., where he earned a bachelor's degree in Accounting and Business Administration. After graduating, he was offered a position with the Village of Niles as their accounting assistant.

Greg Bates was hired as Pirates' Cove/Museum coordinator for the Elk Grove Park District. Bates received an M.S. in Leisure Services from Aurora University He was a former Alderman for the city of McHenry where he served as park and recreation chairman, plus he was a liaison with the city's landmark Commission (historical committee). Bates also brings 20 years of experience in working with youths from his former job as manager of a Jewel/Osco.

Cindy Sortino was hired to supervise the Elk Grove Park District Senior Center and Preschool at the Al Hattendorf Center. Sortino received a B.S. degree in Recreation Administration from Illinois State University and an M.S. degree in Public Administration from Roosevelt University. She was an Elk Grove Park District intern in 1987 and worked for Winnetka and Morton Grove park districts. Her expertise ranges from supervising preschool and after-school programs to camps, dance and special events.

Gina Senn joined the Hanover Park Park District as administrative supervisor responsible for front office supervision, computers and registration, youth athletic program supplements, room rentals, of-flee equipment and supplies and senior programming. Previously, Senn was the administration secretary for the Hanover Township Mental Health Board and the secretary to the superintendent of parks at the Bartlett Park District.

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Editor, Illinois Parks & Recreation
Illinois Association of Park Districts
211 E. Monroe Street, Springfield, IL 62701-1186
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I am a class A-1 Member in the Illinois Section PGA. When players of a sectional association compete in tournaments, we are required to ride a golf car or have a caddy. If they didn't allow golf cars, there may not be the same participation of these events. If the participation is down, then the prize money is lower. If the prize money is lower, there may not be as many events or at best only a few events. I consider myself golf professional not a professional golfer. There have been a number of working golf professionals from the Illinois section PGA who have gone on to make it to the big time. In my estimation that is what it's all about, coming up through the ranks and may the greater athlete win out.

In the United States, I see professional golf as having thee levels of skill.

Level one is the local golf professionals who usually have a managerial position and enjoy playing competitively atainst others of comparable skill.

Level two is the Nike Tour, which could he compared to "AAA" baseball.

Level three is "THE TOUR," where the big dogs hunt! This is the level of the elite. Where less then one percent of great golfers can ever actually tee it up. Golf is an athlete event. If someone would like to compete as a professional athlete among the elite of their field, they need to understand what athleticism is. From the pages of the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, is the definition of athletics: Exercises or games requiring physical skill, strength, and endurance. I believe Mr. Martin has the first two parts of the necessary equation, but is lacking the third component. I empathize with Mr. Martin, and if I may repeat a saying from one of my old country buddies, "If you want to hunt with the big dogs, ya gotta scratch some fleas."

Also in the words of Dennis Miller, "This is only my opinion, I may be wrong."

-Doug Oglesby
Fox Run Golf Links, Elk Grove Park District

I continue to closely follow the different articles and news reports on Casey Martin. I wonder if anyone on the governing board of the PGA is in chronic pain? Casey Martin has overcome his congenital circulatory disorder and chronic pain to become an accomplished golfer. There is no current cure for this disease or the accompanying chronic pain. It is my opinion that he should be allowed the use of a cart to participate in all golf tournaments.

I wish the individuals on the governing board of the PGA could trade places with Casey for one day. Let them feel what it is like to walk in his shoes!!!!!

-Linda Pietrini
Superintendent of Recreation, Itasca Park District

Editor's Note:
The above letters were sent in response to the opinion piece "Casey Martin vs. the PGA" by John N. McGovern, published in the May/June 1998 Illinois Parks & Recreation magazine (p. 31). In other commentary on this issue, see page 54 for a statement from the National Park Service.