Bay City Western Warriors
General Information
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The girls golf team at Western offers the opportunity to learn the sport of golf and/or play at a competitive level. Girls from beginners to experienced players can improve and play at a level they are comfortable with. If you have never played before, the team can be a great opportunity to try the sport. If you have more experience, the team can be a great way to explore competitive golf. Read on to see how it works.
The roster for an ideal program has about 8-10 girls on the varsity team and another 8-10 on the JV squad. The JV team typically consistes of 9th - 10th grades, while varsity is often 11th--12th grades (although the makeup of the roster may affect this guide.) Playing time will be available for all golfers, with more experienced players typically playing more often.
The program rarely "cuts" players based on skill level. If you are interested in playing, the team will evaluate your skill level and you will be placed as either a varsity or JV player. Occassionally, players move between levels during the season.
No
experience is needed to join the team.
Some of the girls will have had some golf experience, either with the
team or on their own. However, girls with no experience are encouraged to
try the sport so they can explore/learn the game and practice their skills
before jumping into competition.
Competition Format
All girls that work hard and practice will see competitive action suring the season. We will ensure that golfers will be put into competition when they have the opportunity to succeed.
The
team rarely cuts golfers. With a very large turnout, however, some girls
may be cut from the team within the first few weeks of practice. Cuts
will be made by the end of August with roster spots awarded based on the
following:
You don’t have to own clubs to try the sport. The team owns two complete sets of
clubs. Girls without clubs are allowed to
use these during practices and perhaps matches. If you’re just thinking about trying the sport and don’t have
your own clubs, use these for the first few weeks.
If someone is truly committed to the sport and
would like to play several years, they should have their own clubs. Beginners will seldom benefit from expensive
clubs. A decent set of beginners clubs
can be purchased at Dunham’s or another sporting goods store for less that $150
and should last several years if treated well.
If you want more info, talk to Coach O.
All players must have a current physical handed in to the athletic office one week before the first practice and they must have paid their participation fee ($). More information and forms are available in the athletic office. These things need to be done only once per school year, regardless of how many sports you plan on playing.
Early season
practice:
Our season starts in Early August, nearly a full month before school begins. In August, we will be practicing at Sandy Ridge golf course in the morning. A specific practice schedule is available on the August Calendar when it becomes available.
August practices will probably run 2-3 hours each and we will work on the driving range, putting green, and golf course. Much of the time will be spent learning fundamentals, but players will also play a great deal of golf.
You should dress appropriately for a golf course. Khaki pants or shorts are acceptable as long as the shorts aren’t too short. You should have a collared shirt as well and tennis or golf shoes (no sandals or flip-flops!). Plan for the weather so that you are comfortable. Hats help to keep the sun off your face!
Most practice
and match costs are covered by the school.
Later season
practice:
Once school starts, we will meet at the course by 2:50pm. Practices will run a little shorter - until approximately 5:00 p.m. Practices scheduled at the course may be cancelled or moved based on inclement weather, course conditions, and public play at the course. If cancellation or movement of practice seems possible, an announcement should be run, but ultimately it is the player’s responsibility to contact the coach during school or right after to find out.
Team Meetings:
We will sometimes have team meetings after or before practice. I’ll keep you posted about upcoming meetings.
Time Commitment:
Attendance at matches, practices, meetings, and awards functions is required. You should only miss in the event of an emergency and should pre-arrange the absence ASAP. If you need to schedule appointments, talk to me about good days to miss.
Your weekends are free. As for during the week, plan on four days per week in August and September. You’ll probably get more time off, but it’s unpredictable when that might be. If you want to manage a part time job or another activity, try to work around these constraints. Most employers are very understanding when it comes to playing a high school sport.
Requirements
for earning a varsity award:
Participation
in at least 36 holes of competitive varsity golf, which includes matches, SVL
meets, tournaments, and post-season play (but not scrimmages or exhibition).
Selecting
line-ups for competition:
The first few
matches are coach's decision based on performance, knowledge, attendance, and
attitude. After the third match, we
will switch to a running stroke system where the best 4 averages always
play. The fifth and sixth
golfers for each will match will be the coach's decision. Effort will be made to ensure that every
golfer who has attended all practices competes in at least one varsity match.
Proper Attire:
Simple
rule: If you’re at a golf course (for any
reason), wear nice pants (or shorts), a collared shirt, and golf
shoes (or tennis shoes). Otherwise,
dress comfortably but conservatively. For matches, you will
purchase a WHS uniform shirt. On match
days, we will dress uniformly at school to show team spirit.
Rides to/from
practices:
It may seem a little
tricky for younger players to get to/from practices and matches, but it usually
works out very well.
I will work
toward setting up a car pool arrangement for practices. If you are a driver, I expect you to take
some responsibility for our younger teammates.
We’ll try to get everyone set up with a “ride buddy” that lives
nearby. It is a nice gesture for those
who do not drive to help with gas costs occasionally.
If you are waiting at practice for a ride home, please stay on the
putting/
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