Reporter Bruce Eggler left Audubon Institute CEO Ron Forman to have the last word on critics of his golf course renovation ("Golf course sees opening drive," Oct. 14).

Mr. Forman describes Audubon's critics as "a small group of complainers who speak for no one but themselves."

As a complainer myself, I am not sure how small the group is (it did collect more than 3,000 signatures last year calling on the institute to back off its plans until they had been more openly discussed) but it is certainly true that we speak for no one but ourselves. Who else are we meant to speak for?

Unfortunately, institute spokespeople, including the CEO, are fond of speaking on behalf of everyone in the city when they make self-congratulatory remarks on what they have wrought in Audubon Park. Since this renovation has been marked by a distinct lack of public dialogue, I am not at all sure that Mr. Forman, who thinks his new course a "delight for golfers and non-golfers alike," and institute executive vice president Dale Stastny ("extraordinarily beautiful with gorgeous views") have any basis for assuming that their enthusiasm is shared by the public as a whole.

How would they know? They, too, are speaking only for themselves, but somehow managing to imply that their opinion is widely shared, while that of opponents somehow is not.

Whatever the final balance of opinion on the new course, one thing is clear. Despite what Audubon may say about the aesthetic benefits to all, the new course was motivated by one thing only -- succinctly put in one of the story's opening paragraphs: "The new course is expected to average about 100 rounds per day, slightly more than the old course, but to bring in nearly three times as much revenue."

That is the gorgeous vista that the institute really has its eyes on. All other 'views' are immaterial.