Golf Advisory Committee

Minutes
November 27, 2007 • 10 a.m.
Conference Call
Gainesville, Florida


Members present: Steve Callahan, Providence (Jacksonville); John Ives, Oak Hall (Gainesville); Mike Knowles, Manatee HS (Bradenton)/FACA Representative; Robin Elkins, Winter Haven HS; and Pablo Gomez, Jr., Varela HS (Miami) via conference call. FHSAA Staff present: Dr. John Stewart, Executive Director; Jamie Rohrer, Director of Athletics.

At 10 a.m. Mrs. Rohrer introduced herself, briefly discussed the purpose of the committee and how the meeting would run and then allowed the entire committee to introduce themselves to one another.

Immediately following introductions, the committee unanimously approved Mike Knowles to chair the meeting.

The 2006 meeting minutes were approved 5-0 with no additions or changes. [Motion: Gomez, Second: Ives]

Mrs. Rohrer discussed the wonderful State Final event that was hosted by Polk County Sports Marketing in Polk County on October 30-31, 2007. Polk County school district and all four courses used did a tremendous job in hosting and we’re very excited to be back next year. The Committee discussed the possibility of coaches being allowed to use carts and decided to leave that up to Staff to determine. It was also suggested by the Committee to allow the Jury of Appeals at each course to have walkie-talkies in case of an emergency situation or ruling that may involve them. The Committee was also very impressed with the Dinner and Coaches Meeting for the coaches and participants.

Review of 2005 Recommendations:
Recommendation #1 (2005): Recommend that each region site have an FSGA/USGA golf official for the region tournament if available.
The FHSAA uses USGA rules for golf. Many of our coaches/tournament managers do not have extensive background in the rules of golf.
Rationale: The presence of an FSGA/USGA official at each site will give assistance to the tournament manager with rules interpretations and help monitor play during the tournament. Florida State Golf Association has agreed to assist in assigning an official from the local area to each region site if one is available.
2005 GAC Vote: 5-0 [Motion: Frantz, Second: Gomez]
2005 ADAC Vote: 9-0 [Motion: McPadden, Second: Sparkman]
2006 GAC Vote: N/A
2007 GAC Vote: 5-0 [Motion: Gomez, Second: Ives]

Recommendation #2 (2005): To allow a player to compete on the second day of competition who was disqualified after the first round for signing an incorrect scorecard. Players who do not complete play and who do not submit scorecards for posting are not eligible to play on the second day. Players disqualified for unsportsmanlike conduct shall be disqualified for the remainder of the tournament.
Rationale: To allow a player that signs an incorrect score card to play the second day of the state finals since this is the only level in the state series that requires a second day of play. (Play Situation: Player stops after the 15th hole because he/she is disappointed with his/her play and does not complete 18 holes. Player is not eligible for the second day of play.)
2005 GAC Vote: 5-0
2005 ADAC Vote: (Motion to deny: Edwards, Second: Murphy, Vote: 5-4 against the recommendation)
2006 GAC Vote: N/A
**Administrative Decision was made in 2007 to approve this recommendation. This rule was implemented for the first time in 2007 at the 2007 Golf State Championships.

Recommendation #3 (2005) Regional Tournament to FHSAA Finals 205.05 (2): The first-and second-place teams and the first and second place next two lowest scoring individuals not on the first- and second-place qualifying teams in each region tournament shall advance to the FHSAA Finals. No other individual shall qualify even if the first- and second-place individuals are on the qualifying teams. To be eligible for individual honors on the state level a student-athlete shall compete for individual honors on both the district and region levels.
Rationale:
1. To bring the sport of golf in line with other sports that have a fair and competitive state championships based on school enrollment: notably basketball, football, softball, track & field, cross country and soccer.
2. Eliminate the inequity experienced by some regions that historically have strong individuals, while other regions continually have weaker individuals. The inequity exists when regions send two teams and sometimes one (or none) individual to the state tournament.
3. Allow the state tournaments to better reflect the quality of golf in the state, especially on an individual level. With the extra district represented at regions, a deserving individual must currently defeat 51 or 50 players, including the 2 qualifying teams, to advance to state. Many worthy players are not playing in our state tournaments, which are intended to showcase the state’s best high school golfers.
4. The increase in numbers of players going from regional to state could only be at the maximum of 16, and the approximately 8.75 players per class - based on data from the past two years. This should not place an insurmountable burden on conducting the state tournaments, especially since all four state championships currently are played at different venues.
5. The new provisions for daylight savings time to be extended to the first two weeks in November will keep the available daylight the same for play. Tournament would start at 7:30 and end after 3:30 with time for tie breaks and awards ceremonies.
2005 GAC Vote: 5-0 [Motion: Frantz, Second: Merkle]
2005 ADAC Vote: (Motion to deny: Chiles, Second: Sparkman, Vote: 9-0 against). This would increase the numbers of golfers at the state finals that would cause more wear and tear on the courses and take more time that would cause a concern with darkness.
2006 GAC Vote: N/A
2007 GAC Vote: 5-0 [Motion: Gomez, Second: Callahan]
**Recommendation Amended to add alternative: Advance No. 1 & 2 individuals not on the 1st or 2nd placing teams, from Region to State if No. 1 & 2 individuals not on the 1st or 2nd placing teams score within 4 strokes of the USGA Course Rating.
2007 GAC Vote: 5-0 [Motion: Gomez, Second: Callahan]

Next, the Committee discussed and acted upon various recommendations from 2006, which were not able to be acted upon at the last meeting due to the lack of a quorum. The recommendations are as follows:

Recommendation #1 (2006): Change Sport Season to Spring (Mike Knowles)
This recommendation was withdrawn due to the FSGA’s assistance in the State Series and their lack of availability in the Spring as well as the FHSAA’s alignment of other sports seasons.

Recommendation #2 (2006): Number of Matches during the Post Season for Teams and Individuals (Mike Knowles)
This recommendation was withdrawn as the FHSAA staff can handle these concerns administratively on a case-by-case basis.

Recommendation #3 (2006): Prohibit Shotgun Starts for Boys and Girls participating on the same course. (Mike Knowles)
2006 GAC Vote: N/A
2007 GAC Vote: 5-0 [Motion: Callahan, Second: Elkins]
This recommendation was amended to read: Prohibit shotgun starts for boys and girls participating in a Regional contest at the same course on the same day.
2006 GAC Vote: N/A
2007 GAC Vote: 5-0 [Motion: Callahan, Second: Elkins]

Recommendation #4 (2006): Allow Sunday Practice for Pre-District and Pre-Regional Play (Mike Knowles)
This recommendation was withdrawn because of its affect on all sports.

Recommendation #5 (2006): Create stricter policies for control of spectators during post-season play. (Mike Knowles)
This recommendation was withdrawn as the FHSAA can handle administratively.

Recommendation #6 (2006): Allow female golfers to use pull-carts if desired. (Duke Neff/John Ives)
There are a number of schools with very young golf programs, which leads to very small golfers. The golfers at times are smaller than their bags and have difficult time carrying their bags, which could lead to health and safety issues. Additionally, there are many golfers with physical handicaps which, already require the use of pull-carts.
2006 GAC Vote: N/A
2007 GAC Vote: 5-0 [Motion: Callahan, Second: Ives]
The Committee recommended that this item be fast-tracked.
2007 GAC Vote: 5-0 [Motion: Ives, Second: Elkins]

Recommendation #7 (2006): Change the number of State Qualifiers from Regional to State to include the top two individuals NOT included on the qualifying teams. (Duke Neff/John Ives)
This recommendation was withdrawn due to it previously being on the table from 2005.

Mrs. Rohrer notified the Golf Advisory Committee that the 2008 FHSAA Golf Finals would be moved forward a week to October 28th -29th, 2008 due to scheduling conflicts with the FSGA and the FHSAA. This will be for one year only and will only negatively affect the practice schedule.

Mr. Knowles and Mrs. Rohrer thanked all members for being present and adjourned the meeting at 12:35 p.m. [Motion: Ives, Second: Gomez]