PALM SPRINGS, California — It’s a answer to an issue that’s so apparent that you just surprise why nobody considered it earlier than.
Whether it is bodily demanding and maybe even harmful for high school girls golfers to play at 3 p.m. in desert temperatures nearing 110 levels in August and September, why not have the ladies play within the morning?
“I actually assume it’s a nice thought,” mentioned Rob Hanmer, in his fourth yr as women golf coach at Rancho Mirage Excessive College.
The Rattlers have performed two house matches this season beginning at 9 a.m. at Mission Hills North, simply throughout Ramon Street from the highschool. However the thought of morning matches is rising, with Shadow Hills Excessive College scheduling two matches this season at 8:30 a.m. at Bermuda Dunes Nation Membership.
With women golf a fall sport in California excessive faculties, and with the beginning of college and athletics edging earlier and earlier in August, golf matches performed in August afternoons face temperatures nicely over 100 levels. CIF-Southern Part guidelines require gamers to stroll the golf course, and on notably sizzling days that may trigger critical issues.
“I want we had been doing it the entire time,” mentioned Shadow Hills head coach Nick Anziano, whose staff performed a morning match final week towards the Rattlers. “Years in the past, I introduced it as much as a handful of coaches, and on the time I used to be nonetheless simply attempting to be taught the ropes. It looks like a no brainer.
“I’ve had women throw up. It’s not unusual, actually,” Anziano mentioned. “Each season I’ve had some sort of heat-related sickness strike someone.”
Damariz Hernandez of Shadow Hills Excessive College tees off on the primary tee at 9 a.m. Tuesday morning in a match towards Rancho Mirage Excessive College at Mission Hills North golf course. (Picture: Larry Bohannan/Desert Solar)
Programs powerful to search out within the fall
Just like the seemingly apparent reply to different issues, Hanmer’s scheduling of morning matches for his staff really got here from one other problem — course availability. Hanmer found final fall on the Desert Empire League boys golf finals that his women staff wouldn’t have entry to Mission Hills Nation Membership in August or October of this season.
“So I began scrambling. Mission Hills North has been unbelievable for us, however they shut at midday (in August),” Hanmer mentioned. “My athletic director was standing there, and I mentioned we’re going to need to play some matches at Mission Hills North in August. Can we play at 9 within the morning?”
In the summertime months, most public play on the Gary Participant-designed Mission Hills North has teed off by 8:30 a.m., that means the 9 a.m. slot is ideal for the highschool matches.
Each Hanmer and his assistant coach, David Shaw, mentioned there are some educational advantages from the sooner matches as nicely.
“We had our first match final week and lacking the early lessons, nicely, the ladies don’t wish to miss lessons that a lot,” Shaw mentioned. “Now, as an alternative of all the time lacking the again finish (of the day), it’s half and half now. They get to see extra of their back-end lessons. We are going to get them again right this moment by fourth interval.”
Hanmer mentioned the morning matches would possibly remedy some issues for groups, however the fall nonetheless presents points like programs closing for overseeding in September and October. However figuring out some matches gained’t be performed within the warmth of the afternoon would possibly enhance participation within the sport.
“We try to create some enjoyment within the sport and a few lifelong golfers,” Hanmer mentioned. “It nonetheless comes all the way down to golf course availability. We now have to play at any time when the golf programs allow us to play. It simply labored out very well with this golf course that 9 a.m. opened up and it labored for us.”
