Tee-ing up

Students at St. Regis are stepping out on the greens this week as the second week of golf practice got underway. With Coach Dan Park nearby to offer advice and strategy, students were driving their balls down the fairway, after teeing off, all while trying to avoid the rough to guide their balls to the putting green where with a light tap, or putt, they finally hoped to put the ball in the hole and call it a game.

Park said that he has about 13 people at the moment who are out for golf, among them Zane Worrall, who has been to the state tournament three times before and Jocelyn Docketr, who has been to state once before.

"We've had more numbers in the past, but we've got a pretty good number this year," Park said. "I think I've got about four new kids and the others have been out before and played in tournaments, but haven't gotten the chance to go to state."

As there is no golf course at St. Regis High School, the students take a bus over to Trestle Creek each afternoon after school to practice on the course. Park said that practice is the key to becoming a better a better golfer.

"It takes a lot of practice," he said. "This is another one of these sports where you have to put in a lot of time to perfect your skills. Around the green is where you a chance to keep your score down. It's a good sport, but it takes a lot of practice."

And getting the ball into the hole with as few swings as possible is what the kids are after. Park said that his role on the team as coach is simple.

"I'm just teaching them how to play golf," he said. "I'm showing them what clubs to use and what situations to use them in. It's like anything else when something isn't natural for someone you show them how it works."

Park said that he also works on teaching strategy to the students, as well as course etiquette, being quiet while someone else is taking their turn on the course.

Park said that they play 18 holes usually and the goal is to get the students to state. He said that he can take four boys and four girls, but will actually drop one of the scores when they get there and so will play three. In selection tournament, girls have to swing a 120 or better, while boys need to swing a 100 or better.

Park said that they are looking to have a good season this year and should see success out on the greens and hopefully will be right there toward the end of the season to head to state once again.