Access to golf is critical for growing the game, but in Flagstaff, finding a place to play has become one of the biggest challenges facing local high school golfers.
With only one public facility serving the area's growing number of high school players, practice opportunities have become increasingly limited. As local coaches searched for solutions, AZ GOLF stepped in, not only to help create more access at courses, but also to ensure student athletes were prepared to represent the game well wherever they played.
On Tuesday, July 28, AZ GOLF hosted a rules & etiquette seminar at Continental Golf Club, bringing together players from Coconino and Flagstaff High Schools for an afternoon focused on course care, pace of play and the Rules of Golf before the fall season begins.
For Flagstaff Community Golf Director, Langley Martin, the seminar was the perfect complement to the recent efforts of expanding practice opportunities for the local teams.
Martin began coaching at Coconino seven years ago, before the school even had a girls golf program. After enough girls showed up for tryouts that first season, the Panthers launched a girls team. Interest in the sport continued to grow, eventually leading Martin to coach the girls team, boys varsity and boys junior varsity squads.
"Without building that JV program, we would never have a successful varsity program," Martin said.
That growth has been exciting, but it comes with its challenges.
With only one public golf course in Flagstaff, Continental Golf Club has served as the primary practice site for both local high school programs.
"Over the last seven years we have kind of bombarded this course and been here every day practicing," Martin explained.
Looking to ease the burden on Continental while creating additional opportunities for student athletes, Coconino and Flagstaff High Schools began working together to secure access at other facilities around town.
Those efforts received a major boost when AZ GOLF helped bring local private golf courses together, requesting expanded access for the high school teams.
With additional opportunities came the priority of ensuring the players understood how to care for the golf courses that were opening their doors.
"We need to make sure the kids are taking care of the courses and they are doing everything properly by having good etiquette, knowing the rules, keeping up with pace of play and taking care of these facilities," Martin said.
That is where Tuesday’s seminar came in.
AZ GOLF Head of Stakeholder Relations, Alex Tsakiris, opened the afternoon with a discussion on golf etiquette, walking players through expectations from the moment they arrive at the clubhouse until they load their clubs back into the car after the round.
AZ GOLF Head of Rules & Competitions, Logan Rasmussen, and Assistant Director of Competitions, Kylie Shoemake, then led an interactive session covering common rules situations throughout the five different areas of the golf course, emphasizing how understanding the Rules of Golf can improve both pace of play and scoring.
"Learning the rules is extremely important for players of all skill levels," Rasmussen said. "It's really going to help you play on a fair and equitable playing field with everybody else in an event or competition."
He also reminded players that knowing the rules can sometimes play in their favor.
"You can use the rules to your advantage and save a couple strokes throughout a round," Rasmussen said. "There are a multitude of examples of that, and we're helping these students learn them today."
The seminar concluded with a question-and-answer session, giving students the opportunity to ask about real situations they've encountered during competitive rounds.
For Coconino senior Jazmin Boyce, the seminar served as a valuable refresher before the season begins.
"Golf is a game of many rules and we always need reminders and refreshers," Boyce said. "Even me, playing for eight years now, I still forget things. It's good to be refreshed, and this brought the team together by learning the rules as a group. Getting these opportunities is great."
Flagstaff High School senior Toby Glickman believes the knowledge gained Tuesday will also help veteran players mentor younger teammates.
"Even though we're competing, I think it is important as leaders to help the underclassmen with the rules and etiquette," Glickman said.
For Martin, having AZ GOLF deliver the seminar carried extra weight.
"We are grateful that AZ GOLF could come up and do this for us," Martin said. "I try to do this every year, but it is awesome having it come from the experts. They look up to you guys."
By helping create more opportunities to play while educating the next generation on the traditions and Rules of Golf, AZ GOLF continues its commitment to growing the game and ensuring young golfers are prepared to succeed both on and off the course.