Letters to the Editor: ‘SDLP unhappy at golf comments’
I write to express the disappointment of the SDLP at Junior Ministers Martina Anderson and Jonathan Bell’s ignorant comments about sectarianism in golf and their negative portrayal of the sport as a fraternity open only to the middle classes.
This two-ball charade from senior Sinn Fein and DUP Executive ministers displayed their prejudiced views about golf and their ignorance about the sport.
The reality is that people of all classes love,watch and play golf, many people from working class backgrounds are passionate about the sport and people from across the North, regardless of class or creed, have been inspired and filled with great pride at the three major wins achieved by our home-grown stars Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell and Darren Clarke.
We are excited about hosting the Irish Open in Portrush and are hoping that it will be a driver for growth in our tourism sector, boosting businesses and creating jobs for people in our region.
The singling out of golf in a media stunt by the junior ministers undermines the positive contributions which those involved in the sport are making to our society and does little to attract a sponsor to the Irish Open or promote our region as a fantastic golfing destination.
Passion for golf knows no sectarian or class boundaries and contrary claims made by political leaders are misinformed and insulting.
The only way we will eradicate sectarianism from our society is when Sinn Fein and the DUP put reconciliation at the heart of government and work with a sense of purpose to create government policy to rid it from our communities in their approach to flags, shared spaces housing and education.
SDLP Culture, Arts and Leisure spokesperson Karen McKevitt MLA
South Down
Short URL: https://newrytimes.com/?p=14500