"Old beat-up vets like me … they'll mow us over."

Martha Groves of the Los Angeles Times looks at concerns veterans have about a nonprofit group's takeover and $6 million plans to convert the West Los Angeles "Heroes Course" into a practice facility for the UCLA golf teams, as well as to "improve" the course for the vets.

Stan Dawson, 71, of Santa Monica, who plays the course nearly every day, remains unconvinced that vets will come out on top when it comes to securing tee times. "I think UCLA will be calling the shots, and vets will get the short end of the stick," he said. "Old beat-up vets like me … they'll mow us over."

Stephen Peck, president of U.S. VETS, sought to allay concerns, saying that "100% of the time veterans get priority, particularly hospitalized vets and vets in the community." Members of the public will also be allowed to play, as they are now. Greens fees range from $3 to $13. Hospitalized vets play for free with recreational therapists.

Stretches of the 1,144-yard course look threadbare. The layout leaves golfers driving blind, as it were, hitting balls over the heads of other players. Safety is a prime goal of the overhaul, as is ensuring that every hole will be accessible to disabled golfers using special carts.

Having played the course I can speak to its merits as just the kind of place golf doesn't have enough of. The "VA Course" is one of those great little places in golf which, even in its "threadbare" state, serves as the perfect place for a nice mix of golfers to go and enjoy themselves. The photo by Christina House that ran with the story (above) so beautifully sums up what makes the place great: a dad out teaching his son where no one cares how you look, how you dress or how you swing. It's a place to get the kinks out and learn how to be comfortable with such a daunting game. Or if you're a disabled vet, it's just the right size, scale and atmosphere to get in some exercise.

Yes, the facility has seen better days and surely could use some minor improvements. And contrary to what the story says, it's not any less safe than most other par-3 courses where beginners and old choppers are out slashing it around. But a $6 million (!?) project that is essentially driven by the UCLA golf programs to add a recruiting toy? Precisely the kind of thing the vets do not need.