Last week, Stan Hunt wrote a column on slow play and rangers that, in essence, said rangers don't do anything on the golf course and most people would rather not see them come around. I beg to differ.

I have worked as a ranger for several years and I find that a vast majority of people always wave and smile as I drive by. On occasions they stop me and ask me to get them some ice water, provide them with a Band-Aid, retrieve the 5-iron they left on the driving range, get them an extra towel when it's raining, or take them back to their car when they're not feeling well.

We are also asked to deliver messages to players asking them to call home or the office. Slow play no doubt is the biggest problem but I have found 90 percent of those players I ask to pick up the pace really give it a try. If Mr. Hunt feels rangers are useless maybe he falls into the 10 percent that have no regard for their fellow players.

Several years ago a player suffered a heart attack on Pinehurst Course No. 1. Fortunately there was a starter/ranger close by. He radioed the golf shop to call 911 and to bring the AED (defibrillator) unit to the scene. The ranger started CPR and four minutes later the assistant pro from the golf shop attached the AED, delivering a shock that started the gentlemen's heart pumping again. We are all trained for this type of emergency. The man is back playing golf again, and I can assure you, Mr. Hunt, that he welcomes the ranger coming by.

If you do not wish to interact with the ranger look the other way. If you do not wish for the ranger to interact with you, don't play slow. It's that simple.

Kevin J.Connelly