LETTER TO PLAYERS. Dear Spackenkill Golfers,

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1 Dear Spackenkill Golfers, Welcome to the 2017 season. Spackenkill golf has had some amazing seasons. The Spartan Golf Team were MHAL League Champions in 2016, 2015 and also in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004 and 2012 with an excellent 11-0 league record last season and Division Champions for the 11 th consecutive year. Erik Stauderman, Ryan Ackert, Ryan Lo and Zach Cioffi qualified for sectionals in the fall and competed in spring sectionals. Erik and Ryan represented Spackenkill in the Section IX Golf Championship Round in the spring and Erik qualified for the State Tournament with Ryan missing the cut by 8 shots. In the section Erik came in 4 th place and Ryan 17th. Among the State s top 99 golfers Erik came tied for 17th. This is now 5 years in a row that the Spackenkill Golf Team has had a representative in the State Tournament. Also, this past spring 7 Spackenkill golfers competed in the Dutchess County Coaches Invitational Tournament where they completed with the top 21 high school golfers in Dutchess County. Those players that competed for the Spackenkill golf team were: Eric Stauderman (2 nd ), Ryan Ackert (7 th ), Ryan Lo (T11), John Conti (T11), Collin Smith (14 th ), Zach Cioffi (15 th ) and John Timm (20 th ). As golfers graduate, our team will need to work hard to replace their talents. Over the past 4 years 8 players have graduated representing 30 years of Spackenkill Golf experience. There is now a need more the ever for players to lower their scores to compete for positions on the team this year. (6 players compete in a match where the best 4 scores are used.) I hope this will motivate all of you to practice as hard and smart as you can. Those of you LETTER TO PLAYERS returning to the team have the potential to play some great golf. Your work ethic and attitude are the keys to becoming a stronger, more confident golfer, which will easily add to the betterment of the team and your enjoyment of the game. I believe there are five games in the game of golf. The long game The short game Putting The mental game The emotional game. You must work to develop and improve all of these. Practice must be productive. It is not productive to: Stand on the range and see how fast you can empty a bucket of balls. Try to hit the ball somewhere out there. Hit bad shot after bad shot. Drills are used by the pros and therefore should be used by all of our players. I believe that you work hard at practice so that you can have fun in competitions. Golf is a target game. Always have a target! I expect you to read and implement the Practice Procedures outlined in this manual. They are intended to help you become a better player. By doing so, you help both yourself and the team. Spackenkill Varsity Golf Page 1

2 Golf is not a game of perfect, as the title of a widely read book states. No player hits perfect shots all the time. The famous Ben Hogan once said that if he hit three or four perfect shots in a round, that was a lot. The key to good, consistent golf is to make our less than perfect shots not so bad. Recognizing our lack of perfection, we must develop a solid mental approach to the game. Plan your work, and work your plan. Have a strategy in mind before playing a hole. Play the hole in your mind from green to tee, not tee to green. Do not think that if the hole isn t a par 3, you must take driver from the tee. I will be observing carefully for smart golf. That is what brings about good scores, and wins. An integral part of this is having a good, solid, and repetitive pre-shot routine. Related to having a good mental game is knowledge of the rules. They are not just there to penalize you. If you know the rules, you can take advantage of situations and have more strategy options. You will also know if your opponent has not followed them. I expect you to commit to learning the rules! Golf is a game that must be played in the present. Once a shot is played, it is over and there is nothing you can do about it. Getting angry, frustrated, etc. will do nothing to change the result and can only affect your next shot(s) negatively. At the same time, never get ahead of yourself and be thinking of shots you have yet to play, or what your final score may be. Focus on one shot at a time and keep your emotions on an even keel. Never give up! Get the most that you can out of every round. Be in shape. Strength and flexibility are crucial to good golf. We have limited time together, so I expect you to come to the golf season fit for the game. Be sure to stretch and warm up before hitting balls. I will expect players to at least stretch before an away match. Our Captain will be announced during the summer practices. I see the Captain of the team as a player who leads, both in his play as well as his attitude. The Captain is the liaison between the players and the coach. That means that there will be functions and/or instructions I have for the team that will be handled, with full authority, by the Captain. It also means that players may communicate questions or concerns through the Captain, in the event that I am unavailable. Always remember this: CHAMPIONSHIPS ARE WON THROUGH YOUR DAILY WORK ETHIC AND FOCUS. SO ASK YOURSELF EACH DAY IF YOU HAVE EARNED YOUR CHAMPIONSHIP! Yours in good golf, Keith Humphrey Varsity Golf Coach Spackenkill Varsity Golf Page 2

3 Dear Parents, Welcome to the 2017 Spackenkill golf season. Thank you for sharing your golfer with me, and thank you for your help and support. Our program could not run without your being part of it. Golf, or any other sport, is an EXTRA curricular activity. Academics come first. Golfers must make a commitment to the demands of keeping up with their work, achieving satisfactory grades, and be fully available for the time necessary for golf practices and matches. Anything less is unfair to the rest of the team as well as to the individual golfer him/herself. I have been a volunteer coach with Coach Dave Kaplan since 1995 and I am now starting my 14 th year as the head coach. At that time, the golf program was on the verge of collapse. Coach Kaplan had to work and search extensively just to get a minimum of six students to come out for the team. At least half of these students had never really played golf before. Spackenkill golf has had some amazing seasons. The Spartan Golf Team were MHAL League Champions in 2016, 2015 and also in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004 and 2012 with an excellent 11-0 league record last season and Division Champions for the 11 th consecutive year. Erik Stauderman, Ryan Ackert, Ryan Lo and Zach Cioffi qualified for sectionals in the fall and competed in spring sectionals. Erik and Ryan represented Spackenkill in the Section IX Golf Championship Round in the spring and Erik qualified for the State Tournament with Ryan missing the cut by 8 shots. In the section Erik came in 4 th place and Ryan 17th. Among the State s top 99 golfers Erik came tied for 17th. This is now 5 years in a row that the Spackenkill Golf Team has had a representative in the State Tournament. LETTER TO PARENTS Also, this past spring 7 Spackenkill golfers competed in the Dutchess County Coaches Invitational Tournament where they completed with the top 21 high school golfers in Dutchess County. Those players that competed for the Spackenkill golf team were: Eric Stauderman (2 nd ), Ryan Ackert (7 th ), Ryan Lo (T11), John Conti (T11), Collin Smith (14 th ), Zach Cioffi (15 th ) and John Timm (20 th ). As golfers graduate, our team will need to work hard to replace their talents. Over the past 4 years 8 players have graduated representing 30 years of Spackenkill Golf experience. There is now a need more the ever for players to lower their scores to compete for positions on the team this year. (6 players compete in a match where the best 4 scores are used.) I hope this will motivate all of you to practice as hard and smart as you can. Those returning to the team have the potential to play some great golf. Their work ethic and attitude are the keys to becoming a stronger, more confident golfer, which will easily add to the betterment of the team and your enjoyment of the game. This season, our goal is to win another league championship and be well represented in the sectionals with the opportunity to send more players to the state tournament. One of my key goals to a strong golf program has always been to keep as many players as possible, so that individuals get a chance to keep their interest in golf and grow as golfers. This will all be dependent on the number of golfers who actually come out for the team. The district s agreement with McCann only allows for only 12 players on the course. This means that some golfers will not get on the course each day. Spackenkill Varsity Golf Page 3

4 Conduct The nature of golf means that players will not be in closely supervised situations a lot of the time. I need to be able to expect that all players conduct follows the rules of golf, the golf course, and the team. If I have doubts about this, it will be very difficult for me to send a particular player in question out on the course. I therefore need your help in emphasizing this to your golfer. Because this is such an important area, there will be a zero tolerance policy in regard to behavior on and at the golf course. Transportation Since the district does not directly provide transportation to the golf course (a bus does go down Wilbur Blvd.), your role as a driver is very important, and appreciated. Players must be to the course at their designated time. My cell phone is usually available for players to call for rides, but they should be ready to use the pay phone or use another cell phone, just in case. Please remember, I can t leave until all players are picked up. When we go to away matches, we will leave from, and return to the high school. Departure time will be announced to the players going. They are expected to be on time, and we will leave without someone who is late. Players will call for pickup when we are about minutes from the high school so that their rides are waiting for them. If you should have any questions or concerns, please consult the Team Information Sheet for contact numbers. Sincerely, Keith Humphrey Varsity Golf Coach Spackenkill Varsity Golf Page 4

5 TEAM INFORMATION SHEET Coach: Mr. Keith Humphrey Home Phone: home: Cell Phone: Spackenkill Golf Web Site Athletic Director: Mr. Marco Lanzoni Work Phone: Home: High School Phone: Middle School Phone: Athletic Trainer: Mr. Don McChesney Cell Phone: Spackenkill Golf Web Site Check out our golf web site for information about the team and many of the courses where our competitions will take place. It also includes statistics from 2004 to this year along with a page to access directions and the latest schedule of matches. Home Page Schedule and Directions Spackenkill Varsity Golf Page 5

6 TEAM RULES The rules listed below are in addition to any and all conditions listed in the code of conduct booklet you received and agreed, by your signature, to follow. 1. Show up and be on time for matches and practices. 2. If you can t be there, or will be late, I want to know beforehand, not after the fact. 3. Conduct yourself, as a golfer should, both on and off the course. ON-COURSE EXPECTATIONS OFF-COURSE EXPECTATIONS 1. Play by the official rules of golf. (You can t do this well unless you know the rules.) 2. Record scores accurately and honestly. 3. Follow golf etiquette play with consideration toward other golfer; play at a good pace. Your job is to keep up with the group ahead of you, not stay ahead of the group behind; replace divots, rake bunkers, repair all ball marks. 4. Control yourself! No cursing and/or yelling. No slamming or throwing clubs, balls, or any other objects!! You will only get one warning. Penalties may include, but not be limited to, suspension from a match or the team. 5. At the conclusion of every round, practice or match, you are expected to remove your hat and shake hands with all the other players in your group. Please make this a habit! 1. After every round, you are to record your statistics in the team record book. 2. Remain in your proper golf attire. 3. No fooling around or horsing around. You are not on school property and others use the golf course. 4. Even if you have finished your required practice, you are expected to use your time productively. 5. Make sure you have arranged for your ride. Spackenkill Varsity Golf Page 6

7 FOR THE RANGE: PRACTICE PROCEDURES AND EXPECTATIONS 1. I expect to see alignment clubs used. 2. I expect to see preshot routines practiced. 3. I expect to see varied targets used. If I come up to you and ask, I expect you to, very specifically, tell me what your target is. 4. I expect to see some stretching before hitting. 5. I expect to see players performing drills. 6. I expect to see players helping each other. I want created a team atmosphere in an individual sport. THE PUTTING GREEN: This is where your practice of chipping, putting, and pitching should represent at least 60% of your practice time. 1. I expect you to putt before and after every round you play, except for matches. 2. I expect you to hit at least 30 chips and 30 pitches each day. Your goal should be to get 7 of every 10 within 3 feet of the hole, from whatever distance away you are. 3. I expect you to do at least half of our listed putting drills each and every day. You should hit a minimum of between 50 and 100 putts. Players are encouraged to play putting games as part of their practice. PUTTING DRILLS AND GAMES Lag putting to different targets Make 50 in a row drill Lag putting to the fringe Heads or tails drill Guess your distance drill Make drill Ladder drill Drawback 3 foot circle drill Safety drawback Spackenkill Varsity Golf Page 7

8 THE BUNKER: Players are expected to do bunker work at least twice a week, and should hit at least 20 bunker shots each time. SUGGESTION: I would suggest writing these requirements on an index card that you keep in your golf bag. I will not necessarily say anything about these expectations. They are meant to help you become a better player. That is what gets you in matches, as well as the work ethic exhibited by you when you do this practice. PRACTICE TIMES: Practice will be held every weekday, unless otherwise noted. Players are to report at the designated time, and should not leave until all required practice is over. Do not be late, or tell me in advance why you may be late. It is even more important to tell me in advance if you have a legitimate reason to miss a practice. Lack of communication causes many problems. Unless you hear an announcement canceling practice because of weather, assume there is practice. If you arrive early, do not waste time. More practice is better than less, so get to work! TEAM RECORD BOOK Before you leave any practice (or match) where you have played 9 holes, you are expected to fill out a data sheet in the TEAM RECORD BOOK. If you play in an away match, I will have extra data sheets on the bus, and you are expected to fill one out before we get back. You are expected (even in matches) to always keep track of the categories listed so you can accurately fill out a data sheet. Failure to do so can result in not playing in the next match. Spackenkill Varsity Golf Page 8

9 WHAT SHOULD BE IN YOUR GOLF BAG 1. Balls 2. Tees 3. Ball mark repair tool 4. Ball marker(s) coins or other round objects 5. Permanent marker(s) to mark balls for identification 6. Water bottle 7. Extra glove(s) 8. Towel(s) 9. Wind/Rain shirt or jacket 10. *** RULES OF GOLF BOOKLET*** 1. Collared shirt. PROPER GOLF ATTIRE 2. Proper pants or golf shorts No jeans, No cutoffs, No shorts that come below the knee, No cargo pants or shorts. We will wear khaki or black pants / shorts for matches. 3. If you don t have golf shoes, you should have low-cut athletic shoes. CARE OF EQUIPMENT You should have a towel attached to your bag for wiping off your club after a shot. Wet it before playing, use it during your round, and you will save yourself a lot of cleaning. In any case, you are expected to keep your clubs clean. McCann has buckets, brushes, and towels near the pro shop. Use them!! SPACKENKILL GOLF WEB SITE Check out our golf web site for information about the team and many of the courses where our competitions will take place. ( Spackenkill Varsity Golf Page 9

10 Common Rules of Golf 1. Maximum number of clubs in your bag 14 a. Penalty: 2 strokes per hole up to 2 holes with a maximum of 4 strokes 2. Red Stakes (example: water to the side of a fairway) a. Cannot ground club 2 stroke penalty b. 4 types of relief i. stroke and distance (return to where you hit your last shot) 1 stroke penalty ii. play it where it lies no penalty iii. 2 club lengths no closer to the hole 1 stroke penalty iv. line ball with hole and go back as far as you want on that line 1 stroke penalty 3. Yellow Stakes (example: water directly in front of your tee shot) a. Cannot ground club 2 stroke penalty b. 3 types of relief i. stroke and distance (return to where you hit your last shot) 1 stroke penalty ii. play it where it lies no penalty iii. line ball with hole and go back as far as you want on that line 1 stroke penalty 4. Casual water water below your feet of ball from a rain storm or sprinkler (you cannot jump up and down to show the water) a. 1 club length relief b. You cannot improve you lie 2 stroke penalty c. Tree Limbs you cannot move or damage limbs of a tree to improve you lie. d. Weeds you cannot remove high grass or weeds to improve your lie. 5. Accidentally move ball (on or off the green) you must place the ball back and take a 1-stroke penalty. Example: you move a twig and the ball moved or tapped with club a. You hit the ball from where the ball moved to: 2 stroke penalty (replay from original spot) 6. You cannot improve your lie in any divot (It s the Rub of the Green ) Spackenkill Varsity Golf Page 10

11 7. You cannot ask your opponent what club they used (2 stroke penalty) You can ask you team partner about club selection up to the green. You cannot ask for advice on putts. 8. Do not alter clubs (add tape of metal weights) or play with a club that has been damage during the round. PENALTY DISQUALIFICATION. If you bend you putter, you cannot use it again during that round. 9. Putts a. You cannot fix spike marks b. You can remove sand or impediments with your hand or club only, not a towel. c. You can repair ball marks. 10. Incorrect drops 2 stroke penalty a. Correct drop stand up straight with your arm straight out to the side and drop. The drop must stay within 2 club lengths. Use tees to mark the 2-club distance. After 2 attempts you are allowed to place the ball where the ball first hit the round. b. Incorrect drop bend down the place the ball where you want. 11. Hitting the wrong ball (2 stroke penalty) Spackenkill Varsity Golf Page 11

12 TEAM RECORD BOOK DATA SHEET Player s Name Date Course: McCann [Practice Match (check one)] Score Birdies Pars Bogies Doubles Others Fairways Greens Putts 3 Putts Up & Downs Sand Saves Sign the Card: Be sure you and your scorekeeper sign the card Front 9 Back 9 Spackenkill Varsity Golf Page 12