Cutting the golf program at North Idaho College hurts. Badly. Here are my reasons why. 

1. My daughter Lev plays golf for the Cardinals. It has been an ideal situation for our family. She gets to explore different fields of study and experience college life. She gets to develop as a golfer under a great coaching staff. She’s far away, but not too far for a quick visit. Plus, it’s affordable for us. 

2. This is the first time my kiddo has been a part of a team, and she loves it. Golf wasn’t popular at her high school, so being on a squad — which we all know is a real-life scenario — allowed her new, beneficial experiences she’ll learn from. So will her teammates.

3. The NIC program is a gem. For kids who aren’t sure about a four-year school, who understandably don’t know their path in life, yet still want to be a student-athlete, NIC is the answer. Especially for a Montanan. Nothing like that exists here. 

4. I love being a golf dad. My wife loves being a golf mom, and our son Charlie is the best golf brother you can imagine. I coached my kiddo in high school, and the pride that I feel seeing and witnessing her compete at the collegiate level makes me tear up. To see her set a goal and realize that at NIC is something I’ll never forget. She won’t either. But a short-sighted decision by the NIC Board will kill that opportunity for more golf kids — and their golf parents.  

5. Golfers generally are good kids and good students. You are hurting the overall health of the NIC student body. Plus some golfers are international and add a bit of much-needed culture to North Idaho. 

6. It’s a point of pride for the Coeur d’Alene-area golf community. For an area that benefits greatly from the golf industry, the least that could be done is fund the NIC golf teams. 

7. This is selfish, but it’s a total pain for us! We needed the extra year of development to make BIG things happen at a four-year school. NIC was supposed to provide that bridge, yet this boneheaded decision burns it.

8. This coveted opportunity remains for a soccer player, a wrestler or a hooper. But not a golfer? This group of kids is completely expendable? Makes zero sense.

AS AN outsider, it seems like some sort of compromise can be made. Be innovative, NIC — it’s worth it! 

Maybe share the financial hit among all sports programs. Embrace more walk-ons for all teams. Make the athletes earn their spot — and their benefits. Invest in students who actually want to be at NIC, not those who use it as Last Chance U. 

Maybe ask the folks with staggering wealth who vacation or own a secondary home in the Coeur d’Alene area for an assist. We all know NIC kids have cleaned their clubs. (Give back, Mr. Gretzky. Be the Great One.)

We knew NIC was on unstable ground when our kiddo enrolled — please don’t think we’re unread. But for the ax to fall on golf as a first step? Inconceivably dumb on many levels. 

Don’t make this mistake, NIC! Save the golf teams! 

If you kill this program — and my kiddo’s goals — may you three-putt every green for the rest of your lives.  And don’t come to Montana — you’re not welcome. 

John Heaney, who knows the sting of a three-putt, is the father of an NIC golfer and former sports writer at The Press.