Girls’ golf should grow sport by reducing field
By 3:30 p.m. Monday, most of the participants in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association girls’ golf championship at Mcgregor had completed play.
Still enough time for the 121 girls and their coaches from around the state to get home by dark.
Barely.
At issue here is that the players started at 9 a.m. in a shotgun start. That’s 6½ hours to play 18 holes of golf.
That is wrong on so many fronts, and most of it was caused by poor planning.
In the first round Sunday, 38 percent of the players scored in triple figures. That’s not a good look for a state championship.
Looking through the list of scores, some were better suited for bowling than golf. Let’s face it, depth in girls’ golf is still a work in progress, but there are outstanding individuals who deserve the opportunity to compete for a state title.
Quite simply, state officials need to reduce the field and impose minimum standards to compete, similar to track and field. Finishing high in a sectional competition isn’t enough if the overall quality of play is substandard.
No respectable golf tournament forces players to be grouped in foursomes. That alone adds an hour or more to the expected time of a round. Enter into the mix dozens of golfers who likely are spending a lot of time looking for lost balls, and the entire field gets stalled.
How do you reduce the field? Start by establishing a minimum score to advance out of the section. While we’re at it, let’s get rid of the bogus team competition. It unnecessarily adds to an overburdened field. Keep it as an individual championship.
Competing in a state championship should be a privilege, not a reward. It isn’t fair to those who were legitimate contenders to win to be bogged down by extraordinarily slow play.
That’s the best way for girls’ high school golf to grow.
Area roundup
Joe Quilano of Troy teamed with Chrissy Quijano of Bellevue to tie for second Tuesday in the New York State Golf Association’s Mixed Team Championship at Transit Valley. Their score of 1-over 73 was one behind the winners, Michael and Gaelin Carrig of Springville. … Thirty-eight players are signed up for Wednesday’s New York Open qualifier at Eagle Crest.
The 79th edition of the Troy Invitational, the longest-running tournament for amateurs, goes off Saturday and Sunday at Country Club of Troy. … The Saratoga County Amateur has opened its field to golfers outside its borders. The 36-hole tournament will be played July 1 at Eagle Crest and July 2 at Saratoga Spa. Sal Romano (518339-2060) has more information.
Club roundup
Amsterdam Municipal: Matt Smith has been hired as the new PGA instructor.
Bend of the River: Night golf returns at 8 p.m. June 17. Call the pro shop (518696-3415) for information.
Fox Run: A Taylormade fitting will be available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday by appointment.
Frear Park: Renovation of holes 7, 8, 9 and 10 have begun. There may be minor inconveniences, but the course will remain open.
Hales Mills: A Callaway fitting day is scheduled from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday. Appointments are required.
Troy: Jimmy Sullivan and Dan Miele
captured the club’s Governor’s Cup. Elsewhere: No matter what you might think about those who took the money to join the Saudi-based LIV Golf tour, there are enough quality players to draw viewer interest. Unfortunately, this week’s inaugural event in London won’t be on linear TV in the U.S. A free live stream will be available at Livgolf.com, Youtube and Facebook beginning at 9 a.m. Given its relationship with the PGA Tour, Golf Channel doesn’t appear to be a likely landing spot for future tournaments.