“Chip Shots”

March 2011

The December article was written but I just realized when I went back to review what was previously written that I had forgotten to submit it to the website. So rather than having this be a rehash of that article go to MSHSCA.org to pick up the information from that article and review both that article and this one at the same time. In my non-submitted article I mentioned how we seemed to have such a nice long fall and were able to get out for a few extra rounds. By failing to submit the article I must have jinxed it since the state has had one of the snowiest winters on record.

A couple of reminders. First, if you have not joined the coaches association I would like to encourage you to do so-the deadline is fast approaching. Last fall there were eight winners drawn which qualified by selling the Birdie Marketing Golf Card-we could not award a few since they did not have a coach in their system which was a member of the coaches association-we had to go five deep into the list of alternates. The names of the drawn winners are in the December article. So remember to join the coaches association in order for your players to get recognized or to have a chance at the drawing.

The Birdie Marketing Golf Card is the only golf card the coaches association endorses. There are other golf cards out there and a multitude of other fundraising ideas but this golf card gives back to the coaches and programs in the state-for example over the past five years the golf coaches association member schools have received over $20,000 above what they make in profits and incentives from the sales. “Over the past 14 years Birdie Marketing has provided over 200 different high school golf programs money through fundraising. We also have helped the local golf community as well, over 200 different golf professionals or facilities have received over $100,000 in royalties. The Minnesota section of the PGA to date has received over $135,000 from Birdie Marketing (for junior golf, scholarships, and general administrative cost.). We currently are partnered with your association and the Minnesota Public Golf Association.” The contact number for Birdie Marketing, Inc. (763)753-6988. Strongly consider the Birdie Marketing Golf Card as your next fundraiser.

Another reason to join the coaches association is the fact that the academic ratings and the all-state ratings awards are for the players who have a coach that is a member of the coaches association. Any senior who plays in the first round of a section qualifying round and has a 3.7 unweighted GPA is academic all-state. Of course, the coach has to submit the information-you can find the submission forms and how to submit the information on the MSHSCA.org website under the academic and ratings tabs. There are deadlines to follow so check out the website periodically during the season. If you have questions, contact me and I will help you get the questions answered.

By the time you get this article the coaches association will have gotten back into the clinic business. A special thank you goes out to George Reynolds and all of the work he has done over the years of picking up the golf clinic and continuing to run it when it was changing hands a few times. We hope all of the participants had a great experience and that the clinic continues to grow over time.

The coaches association advisory board discussed a number of topics that were given to us by the MSHSL. The only one that was passed this year was the ability of the players to use pull carts during the season. I realize this came up quickly, but it was the League which limited their use in the first place. There are a number of physicians and other health professionals who had encouraged the use of pull carts. I doubt there will be widespread use but they are allowed this spring.

Some of the other topics we will need to follow over the next few months and years are the use of range finders, number of holes used for qualifying for state, pace of play, and suggestions for improving the coaching on the course. Since the use of range finders is now acceptable in both MGA junior and the PGA junior events, I would expect that it will be only a matter of time until high school players are able to use them. Another area we need to address this year is the pace of play in meets and how we coach on the course. If the coaching on the course slows down play, we might need to look at how we continue to coach; as coaches we need to address the slow play issue.

Also, make sure you make positive contacts with the courses you use. A few years ago I made a comment in a chip shots article about our practice of placing the coolers in the first tee area. Remember, in many cases the green fees and other equipment supplies are given to high school players at greatly reduced rates through the courses and local PGA professionals. It is a good gesture to make our purchases at the local clubhouse rather than bringing coolers onto the course. For example, would you bring your own dessert into a restaurant?  Also, courses have liability issues with our coolers and what is placed in them.  If your player's want something specific during a round it should be handed out at the van before going onto the course. Let's make sure we put a positive foot forward with the courses we use.

The coaches association is continuing to make efforts in improving the communication with coaches in the state. I have sent out a few emails and I always get a few back as undeliverable; sorry in advance if your school system gets some of these messages. I continue to make efforts in correcting them ahead of time.

In spite of the amount of snow we now have on the ground, I know we will have a spring thaw and soon we will be out swinging and hitting balls from one green area over snow drifts to another. I hope all of you and especially your players have a positive experience this season and if you have questions, I will try to get back to you as quickly as possible with answers. Have a great season in 2011 and I hope to see each of you at the state tournaments.