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Stearns looking to add beer sales at golf course

On the heels of the last McCreary County wet/dry election, where 36-votes made the difference to prohibit alcohol sales in the county, the one place where it is legal to serve beer and wine is looking to expand their offerings.

Last week the McCreary County Heritage Foundation filed a legal notice that they intend to apply for a Qualified Historic State License to sell beer at the Stearns Golf Course.

Kentucky Revised Statute 243.039 allows for a Limited Golf Course license to be issued to a United States Golf Association regulation 9 or 18-hole golf course if it is within a moist precinct that had previously authorized the sale of alcohol.

Importantly, the special license will only allow the sale of alcohol by the drink, and not as package sales.

Buddy Wilson, Chairman of the Heritage Foundation, stated requesting the license is a way of enhancing tourism efforts for the county.

“A lot of golfers like to be able to unwind after their round with a drink in the clubhouse,” he said. “We will be able to do that with this license. We believe it will add to the appeal of McCreary County when people are visiting.”

Limited alcohol sales in the historic district was approved by over 53-percent of voters in the Stearns precinct in 2014, and a special Qualified Historic Site License was obtained that allowed sales within the confines of the four-acre, six-building historic downtown Stearns.

Any citizen wishing to protest or challenge the granting of the license can do so by writing the Department of  Alcoholic Beverage Control, 1003 Twilight Trail, Frankfort Kentucky 40601-8400. All comments must be postmarked by April 15.

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