Waterways, golf courses enhance value of region

It’s a values-clarification exercise.

First of all, Missouri’s beautiful lakes were the first things that captivated me about this area. I visited Lake of the Ozarks and Table Rock Lake before I ever considered the possibility of living and working in Springfield. I think there are a lot of people who would say the same thing. The opportunity for recreation here is a prime natural resource fueling the growth of the region.

As a native of the state of Michigan, I have always been cautious about calling Table Rock a “lake.” But, oh, what a gorgeous and unique dammed-up river it is! I love to traverse it in boats, especially other peoples’ boats. Also, canoe trips all over Missouri are among the peak experiences in my life. I wish I could get more of them.

After seeing the response of our Sister City friends from Mexico to an excursion last year on the North Fork, under the expert guidance of the inimitable Cindy Jobe – a Springfield Parks Department staffer and a Springfield Sister Cities Association board member – I came to appreciate even more the value of the rivers’ proximity.

When the mayor of Tlaquepaque, our Mexican sister city, saw photographs of canoeing and fishing in a local brochure, he indicated that he wanted most of all to go on such an excursion. Now, several prominent citizens of Tlaquepaque have either gone on a Jack’s Fork trip or have heard about it.

They thought it was a riot! They had known nothing like it in their lives, and now they want more of it – even after they swamped their canoes several times. They were just getting the hang of maneuvering the bends when it was time to go home.

The memory of that trip, and the anticipation of other canoe trips, is a major topic of conversation in that Guadalajara-area community whenever the subject of Springfield comes up. The area’s rivers and “lakes” are major memory makers for people near and far.

On the subject of golf, I’m currently a little less enthusiastic. I consider myself a golf widow on most Saturdays (and other days, too) during nice weather; however, I have learned to treasure that time to myself. I get up late, water the plants, lazily pet the cat and shop, shop, shop!

I always say that if it’s not too hot or too cold, or I’m not too tired or stressed out or running late, and if we only play nine holes and I get to have dinner afterward, then I’m OK for golf. There are a lot of contingencies.

I actually think that I might give it a try again when (and if) I ever live long enough to retire. There are still a lot of contingencies, but I have learned to love and respect the people who enjoy the game so much. I just haven’t learned exactly why they would chase that little white ball around in the hot sun, sweating and swearing all the while.

In the meantime, I’ll be staying cool this summer in the shopping centers, in other peoples’ boats or immersed in the dammed-up rivers and swimming pools of the region.

Dianne Elizabeth is publisher and president of Springfield Business Journal.