Golf Advisory Committee

Minutes
Dec. 2, 2008 • 10 a.m.
Robert W. Hughes FHSAA Building
Gainesville, Florida


Members present: Steve Callahan, Providence School; John Ives, Oak Hall School; Robin Elkins, Winter Haven High School; Matt Althage, Carrollton School; Terry O’Reilly, East Lake High School; Rick Hyatt, Mitchell High School; Kevin McElveen, Olympia High School (FACA Representative); Dr. John Stewart, FHSAA Executive Director; Denarvise Thornton, FHSAA Associate Executive Director; Justin Harrison, FHSAA Associate Director of Athletics; Colleen Healy, FHSAA Intern.

At 10:00 a.m. Mr. Harrison introduced himself, briefly discussed the purpose of the committee and how the meeting would run. The committee then introduced themselves.

Paul McLaughlin, FHSAA Assistant Executive Director for Educational Services, spoke to the committee about a first aid course offered by the “Prepare” program.

The committee unanimously approved John Ives to chair the meeting.

The 2007 meeting minutes were approved 7-0 with no additions or changes. [Motion: Althage, Second: McElveen]

Mr. Harrison discussed the State Tournament and the great job the Polk County School District, Polk County Sports Marketing, FSGA and the four courses did in hosting the event. This was the final year of the contract with Polk County. It was commented that the use of carts was approved by the committee and the committee preferred the online coaches meeting.

Review of 2006 Recommendations:
Recommendation #1 (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]
2008 GAC Vote: No Action

Review of 2008 Recommendations
Recommendation #1 (2008): Allow assistant coaches to ride in carts at the State Tournament and remove any restrictions on the movement of the carts.
Rationale: This is done throughout the season with little incident.
2008 GAC Vote: 7-0 to approve [Motion: Ives, Second: O’Reilly]

Recommendation #2 (2008): Suggest that the lowest two individuals, not on advancing teams, and in the top 10 individuals scores advance.
Rationale: If someone has a low score, then rest of the field is eliminated, and some players at or just above par will not advance. However, players on advancing teams with higher scores advance. Example: boys Region 4, 65 was low and 72 did not advance.
2008 GAC Vote: 7-0 to approve [Motion: Callahan, Second: McElveen]
Fast Track: 7-0 to approve [Motion: Althage, Second: McElveen]

Recommendation #3 (2008): Coaching during competition – only allowed from green to tee. College rules different. Allow a coach to offer advice at any time as long as it does not unduly delay play.
Rationale: Golf is one of the few sports where coaching is not allowed. Take a cue from college rules and allow the coach to advise him at anytime without delaying play.
2008 GAC Vote: 7-0 to deny [Motion: Callahan, Second: McElveen]

Recommendation #4 (2008): Re-seed the teams after the first round of play at the state championship.
Rationale: Fairness for the teams competing for the championship. Keep the conditions as close as possible.
2008 GAC Vote: 7-0 to approve [Motion: O’Reilly, Second: Hyatt]

Recommendation #5 (2008): During the practice round at the State Championship, allow the alternate to play.
Rationale: Alternate is taken out of school and is not allowed to play. What if another player withdraws? Not fair to alternate who have not played the course like the others.
2008 GAC Vote: 7-0 to approve [Motion: Hyatt, Second: Elkins]

Recommendation #6 (2008): For qualification from district to regional, girls teams must have a team score of 400 or lower.
Rationale: Some girls teams have no opportunity to succeed at the regional/state meet level but advance and cause difficulty in properly conducting the tournament.
2008 GAC Vote: No Action

Recommendation #7 (2008): Two at-large teams will be awarded in each division for boys and girls. The at-large bids will be awarded to the next two lowest-scoring team averages from the regional tournament results. The 18-hole score for each team will be divided by the par score for the course that they played. This score will be compared to all regions and the two lowest averages will receive at-large bids for the State Tournament. In the event of a tie, the bid will go to the team that has the lowest score for the 4th qualifying team member's score.
Rationale: To ensure that the top teams will be represented at the State Finals. In looking at past regional results, there are certain regions that have stronger teams than others. For instance, in Class 1A Region 8, Carrollton has finished in third place at regional for the past two years. The school competes in one of the toughest regions in the state. Archbishop McCarthy and American Heritage are also in this region, and they both finished in the top 5 last year at the state finals. If the regional scores for Carrollton are compared to the state tournament scores, Carrollton would have finished in the top 10 at the state finals. Granted, this would be assuming the team shot the same average as they did in the regional tournament. In any given year, one region may be stronger than the others. This would put the best teams in the association represented at the state finals.
2008 GAC Vote: Tabled

Recommendation #8 (2008): Make the rules video for coaches more about the rules of golf.
Rationale: Most coaches and golfers do not know the rules of golf well enough to have equity in competition for those who play by the rules and those who don’t.
This item was discussed by the committee and the FHSAA can attempt to provide sources for coaches to better learn the game of golf and the rules.

Discussion Items
1. The use of pull carts was mentioned and said to have shortened the length of matches by 20–30 minutes.
2. The times of the practice rounds at the State Tournament was discussed.
3. The idea of allowing practice on Sundays was discussed. The committee stated it was difficult to determine what constitutes practice. Other concerns included teams using their home course which also serves as the tournament course and players who normally play with their families on Sundays. The committee stated that there are teams and individuals using the courses on Sundays. They expressed an interest in the Board reviewing the no participation on Sunday rule for the sport of golf.
4. The reporting and non-reporting of violations was discussed. The main concern was the time the report was made, usually after the scores were posted.
5. Changing the days of the State Tournament was discussed.
6. Agreeing on minimum yardages for district and regional tournaments was discussed.
7. Making the required district to host the regional round for that specific year was discussed.

The meeting was adjourned by Mr. Ives at 12:38. [Motion: Callahan, Second: McElveen]