Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Proposal will allow golf teams to play more 18-hole matches
ROGERS — High school golfers from around the state may be doing a little more walking this season.
That is a good thing, according to high school golf coaches.
The Arkansas Activities Association has proposed to allow schools to have at least half of their 12 allotted regular-season matches to be 18-hole competitions, and those matches would be allowed to start before 3:30 p.m.
Currently, schools can’t have any regular season matches begin before 3: 30 p.m. on school days, which means any 18-hole matches must be held before school starts later this month, or on Saturdays after school begins. School representatives will vote on the matter Wednesday in Little Rock, and the AAA board of directors gave the measure a do-pass recommendation by a 17-0 vote.
If approved, the new rule would go into effect immediately. The Rogers High girls golf team currently has one 18-hole match scheduled to open the season Monday at the Springdale Invitational.
Lady Mounties golf coach Brenda Alexander is in favor of the proposed change and said it will better prepare golfers for the two-day, 36-hole state tournament.
“Personally, I don’t have to have the full six 18-hole matches, but I would like to have some toward the end of the season before we go to state,” Alexander said. “It will help the girls walking and getting used to 18 holes.
“We had some comments last year that they were walking 18 holes two days in a row. That was something they were not used to if they were not playing in summer tournaments.”
Pea Ridge golf coach Heath Neal, who coaches both the girls and boys teams, said he thinks teams will schedule just a few 18-hole matches late in the season. Pea Ridge has two 18-hole matches scheduled before the start of school, and both have early tee times to avoid the mid-day heat.
“I like having the opportunity to play a few more 18-hole matches, but scheduling six may be a bit much,” Neal said. “Safety is a concern here in August and September after school starts. Our kids wouldn’t be able to tee off in the morning, and they would be out here walking in the hottest part of the day. But I like having that opportunity before conference and state when it is cooler.”
Extending matches to 18- holes this season may prove to be difficult with the start of the season looming next week. Missing class time is also a concern, Alexander said.
“I don’t want to spend the last several matches of the year taking the girls out of school,” Alexander said. “You