Prep golf in need of home courses

High school golfers have a disadvantage that every other high school athlete does not have.

They don't have a home court or home field where they can hone their skills and get better. If they want to improve during the off-season, most have to fend for themselves and find, and pay, for a place to practice and play.

True, Utah is abundant with public-owned golf courses. However, none are owned by school districts. Baseball players have school-owned ball fields and batting cages at their disposal year-round. If a varsity basketball player wants to shoot some hoops during the offseason to improve, it's a safe bet that he or she won't be turned away from the school gym. Tennis, soccer, volleyball and football players have all the free-to-use practice facilities they need. Cross-country and track athletes have endless roads, trails and parks just waiting to be trudged on.

A golfer, on the other hand, has to make a tee time on a golf course, then pay to play. If they want to hit some practice balls, they have to dish out the cash. Range balls don't come cheap these days.

High school teams are at the mercy of city-owned and privately-owned golf courses to provide for them. Part of being a high school golf coach is negotiating a home-course deal with a nearby golf course. The schools normally pay reduced rates from money charged to the players at season's beginning as an activity fee. A few city-owned courses give access to the schools during golf season. Some even give team members free access during the off-season.

In evaluating high school golf programs, those with the most success are also the ones with the best arrangements with a community golf course. The best players are the ones who have decided to pretty much spend their money, or their parents money, to spend most of the summer living on a links.

Spanish Fork High has had one of the state's better 4A golf programs for the past decade. It's no coincidence that the Dons golf team members have almost play-whenever-you-want access to Spanish Oaks Golf Course. Delta High produces a top 3A golf squad every year. Sunset View Golf Course in Delta happens to allow juniors to play year-round for peanuts.

Provo and Timpview high schools usually have competitive golf teams. Their home course, The Reserve at East Bay, has a junior season pass that is the best golf deal around - basically golf and range balls every day all summer long for about $300.

Region 6 normally produces stronger golf teams than Region 7. I think that's because almost every team in Region 6 has its own community home course, while schools in Region 7 share a few courses.

High school golf is a community sport, and the best teams are the ones that have been adopted most and treated best by their community courses.

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E-MAIL: jimr@desnews.com