2014-2015 CENTENNIAL HIGH SCHOOL TITAN GOLF TEAM HANDBOOK
Staff Information Head Coach: Michael Hirsh hirshm@friscoisd.org Assistant Coach: Brooke Bailey baileyb@friscoisd.org Centennial HS Principal: Centennial HS Boy s Campus Coordinator: Centennial HS Girl s Campus Coordinator: Centennial HS Athletic Trainer: Centennial HS Athletic Trainer: Frisco ISD Athletic Director: Frisco ISD Assistant Athletic Director: Randy Spain Mark Howard Kari Bensend John Hicks Jennifer Lamabe David Kuykendall Jerry Littlejohn Social Media We invite you to visit our website where parents and players have access to our practice schedules, maps and directions to all practice locations, paperwork associated with our team, and photos and videos among other things. We also invite you to follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Our Twitter and Instagram feeds will provide same day photos and results from all tournaments and team functions. If you have any suggestions for improving our social media please contact the coaching staff. Website: www.titangolfteam.com Twitter: @titangolf Instagram: titangolf
Program Philosophies Golf Philosophy Our team golf philosophy mirrors that of the United States Golf Association. Unlike many sports, golf is played, for the most part, without the supervision of a referee or umpire. The game relies on the integrity of the individual to show consideration for other players and to abide by the Rules. All players should conduct themselves in a disciplined manner, demonstrating courtesy and sportsmanship at all times, irrespective of how competitive they may be. USGA The Spirit of the Game Coaching Philosophy Our goal is to provide a high-quality, hard-working, competitive, and character driven program. We continually strive to provide a safe, fun, disciplined, and fair environment where team members demonstrate honesty, integrity, and sportsmanship. Team members will always be supported both on the course and in the classroom. The success of our golf program is dependent on a number of factors including, but not limited to, goal setting, academic success, conditioning, practice, tournament preparation, performance assessment, mental strength, positive attitude, being team minded, and maturity. We believe in the team over the individual and the long term over the short term.
Policies Academics Team members are required to maintain an average of 75 and above in all classes. Failure to maintain these requirements may result in a loss of eligibility to practice and play with the team. Progress reports will be given to all team members once every grading period. Team members must have all teachers complete the form and then turn it in to the coaches by the given due date. The form allows teachers to provide current grades, list any areas of concern, and suggest appropriate remedies. The forms should help to prevent any end-of-grading period surprises for team members, parents, and the coaches. This process will also encourage responsibility and accountability. In addition, the coaches will check class grades and behavior regularly and without notice. At the end of each six weeks the team with the highest GPA out of all four teams (JV boys, JV girls, Varsity boys, and Varsity girls) will receive a reward for their hard work in the classroom. This could be an extra pass (see Passes ), a day off from practice, or day-to-day privileges within our program. Team members will be held accountable to achieve in the classroom and motivate and help each other with a positive team effort. Booster Club The Caddy Club is the official booster club for the Titan Golf program. In addition to providing tournament snacks and scholarships to seniors on the team, the Caddy Club assists with the planning of our annual banquet and fundraiser. The club provides various golf-related accessories to support team instruction. For more details and meeting dates, visit the Caddy Club page on the Titan Golf website. Eligibility Team members must meet eligibility standards established by the University Interscholastic League. Additionally, they are expected to meet all standards established by the Frisco Independent School District. Standards can be found by visiting the Paperwork page on the Titan Golf website. Equipment Team members will purchase two shirts and one pull over or light jacket at the beginning of each season. Purchased shirts are for tournament use only. Additional shirts will be checked out and used for practice or school wear for this year only. Team members are required to dress in congruence to the standard of the golf club while abiding to Centennial s dress code policy. In addition, team members are expected have all necessary equipment at practice and tournaments (clubs, golf balls, golf shoes, tees, ball marker, water bottle, and a pen or pencil for the recording of scores).
Fall and spring golf seasons UIL allows all high school golfers to compete in a maximum of 7 tournaments a year outside of varsity district and regional tournaments (a maximum of 4 per semester). For the junior varsity team, both seasons are spent focusing on golf swing fundamentals, the rules of golf, and course management. For the more experienced varsity team, the fall season is a time to focus on improving in areas of weakness as well as implementing any major swing and/or equipment changes. The fall and spring seasons allow varsity team members to play in tournaments that are the sites of district and regional tournaments for added preparation. Conduct Team members are required to act in a manner that sets a good example for the individual, the team, Centennial High School, and are to be in accordance with team and district athletic and academic polices. Team members are expected to maintain positive and supportive relationships at all times. As guests of a golf course, each team member will conduct themselves with the utmost etiquette. Behavior subject to discipline includes, but are not limited to, damage to the golf course and/or equipment, loud and/or abusive behavior, unsportsmanlike conduct, dishonesty or knowingly waiving dishonest behavior. Tardiness The Titan Golf team runs on Lombardi time. If we are on time, we are late. If we are early, we are on time. Team members are expected to report to all scheduled events ready to begin five minutes before the scheduled start time. Tardiness will not be tolerated. If, for any reason, a team member is going to be late they must contact their coach in advance. Infractions and discipline Infractions will be documented and addressed immediately. Minor infractions will receive a verbal warning/reminder. Repeating minor infractions and major infractions will result in more punitive consequences including parental notification and/or conference. Passes Each team member is given 2 passes each semester. These passes may be used at anytime for any reason with the following exceptions: passes may not be used for a qualifying round, tournament related activities, or after dismissal from practice. Team members must notify their coach 24 hours in advance to redeem a pass. Friday Morning Wake Up Make Up Team members will be assigned a Friday Morning Wake Up Make up make up for discipline infractions and/or absences from practice. Team members may be assigned a Friday Morning Wake Up Make Up as a team or individually.
Injuries Team members should notify a coach immediately with any injury concern. The campus athletic trainers are available for a prognosis each school day. If a doctor excuses a team member a note with a practice return date will need to be provided to their coach. Please let the coaches know when seeking medical attention for an injury from an outside professional. Lettering Team members may qualify for lettering by participating in five varsity tournaments throughout the year or by playing in at least three varsity tournaments in addition to the varsity district tournament. The latter ensures that any team member(s) moving up to varsity throughout the school year still have an opportunity to letter. Personal appearance and grooming All team members are expected to follow the rules outlined in the Frisco ISD Athletic Regulations and Expectations handbook. Please refer to the Paperwork page of the Titan Golf website to view the handbook in its entirety. Practice schedule Practice schedules can be found on the Practice page on the Titan Golf website. Team members practice with their respective teams four days per week with one day reserved for study hall. Three of the four practice days are considered play days and are expected to last until approximately 5:30pm. The fourth practice is a short-game day and concludes at 4:30pm. All team members are expected to be dressed and ready to practice by the specified time. Certain circumstances, including weather and tournaments, may alter team practice schedules. Notice of any changes will be provided to team members and parents as soon as possible. Study hall and tutorials Team study hall is every Friday afternoon during 4 th period. Additionally, all team members are required to attend a Tuesday morning study hall in Coach Hirsh s classroom from 8:20-8:50am. Team members are expected to attend morning tutorial sessions due to our practice schedule with the exception of Fridays. Requests to attend an afternoon tutorial session will be handled on a case by case basis. Team members, in general, should never miss a practice for academic purposes. Transportation Team members are expected to provide their own transportation. Those with a driver s license may drive to and from practice. Transportation forms authorizing team members to drive and with whom they may ride with will be provided (the form is also available on the Titan Golf website on the Paperwork page). Transportation to most tournaments outside of Frisco will be provided by the coaches. Notice requiring team members to drive or parents to drop off at these tournaments will be provided well in advance.
Team Member/Parent Acknowledgement Please fill out the information below and return it to the coaching staff by Friday, August 29th. We, the undersigned, acknowledge the rules and responsibilities as specified above Team Member name (print): Team Member signature: Parent/Guardian name (print): Parent/Guardian signature: Date: