ACADEMIC ELIGABILITY & EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMANCE AWARD.
All student athletes must maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA. The Athletic Director’s Office conducts grade checks to determine eligibility at the beginning of the season, 6 week grading period, 12 week grading period, and at the end of the semester. Student athletes with a GPA is below 2.0, are ineligible to compete.
Varsity level athletes maintaining a 3.5 GPA or above at the grading period prior to the awards banquet are eligible for the CIF Athlete Scholar patch.
MULTI-SPORT PARTICIPATION. “You can do Anything, but not Everything.” Student athletes are encouraged to enhance their high school experience through multi-sport participation; however, double season sports are strongly discouraged. Golf is a challenging sport that takes hard work, commitment and dedication. Students wanting to compete at the highest levels or pursue scholarship opportunities should take into consideration the significant commitment required to excel.
EXPECTATIONS for BEHAVIOR & SPORTSMANSHIP.
Student athletes are role models who represent the team in the community and at school. Golfers are expected to behave honorably, and follow the same rules they would while at school; don’t do or say anything that you wouldn’t in front of the Principal or Officer Jen.
For competitions, local course rules, CIF & USGA rules govern play. Students caught deliberately violating the rules in competition or otherwise, ie. participating in “creative score-keeping” / cheating, will be suspended from team activities for 2 weeks pending a formal meeting with student, parents, Coaching staff and Athletic Director. Coaching staff under CIF honor code will be recommending the formal forfeiture of letterman status for breaches of this nature.
RESPECTFUL CONDUCT.
Student athletes are expected to treat people, places and things with kindness and respect. Everyone participating should be treated with dignity and respect. Do no harm, speak no harm. Students are encouraged to focus on identifying positive solutions for challenges with practical optimism and a “can-do” attitude.
Examples include: caring for team equipment and resources; cleaning up after yourself; fixing divots on the putting green and sanding tee boxes (when available); picking up trash; returning lost equipment; shaking an opponent’s hand after a match; complimenting a good shot or putt; listening and following directions; thanking opposing coaches and teams for hosting matches; and exercising good manners & gratitude.
CONSEQUENCES for BREACH OF THE CONDUCT AGREEMENT.
Disrespectful behavior or language, refusal to participate at practices, oppositional or defiant behavior, deliberately distracting, harassing or making disparaging remarks about others will result in the following consequences:
TEAM BUILDING. “The way a team plays as a whole determines its success.”
Golf is a team sport played by individuals who work and act as a team. Student athletes should recognize and respect the sacrifice and commitment they’ve made by working together. This program promotes building strong relationships and personal development. “Busting chops,” cynicism, and dissent of teammates and coaches are examples of disrespectful behavior that corrodes team morale.
NEGATIVE SELF-TALK & ANGRY GOLFERS TANK the TEAM.
Every player who plays in a Varsity level competition must have the ability to hit the fairway, chip onto the green and two-putt. Players who are successful on the range or in a practice round, but have trouble performing the same way in a match or on a new golf course should consider the following:
ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY for ABUSE & BULLYING.
Students should consider the weight of their words, actions and in-actions.
Confident people don’t make disparaging comments or try to demean others.
Inappropriate physical contact; threats; intimidation; trash-talk; discrimination; gossip; name calling; hazing; exclusion; racial slurs; teasing or making someone the brunt of pranks or practical jokes; spreading misinformation or malicious rumors about others; behavior, correspondence, or language that frightens, humiliates, belittles, or degrades; making repeated inappropriate comments about a person’s appearance, habits, or interests; and telling jokes or anecdotes intended to demean others or make them feel unwelcome are examples unacceptable behavior which will not be tolerated.
All students should have the right to feel safe and welcome participating on the team. Consequences for abusive behavior and bullying include immediate removal from the team and recommended to the school administration for appropriate disciplinary action which could result in forfeiture of a Varsity Letter, restriction from participation in CIF sports competitions, ineligibility for college scholarship opportunities, and potential suspension or expulsion from school, as well as criminal and civil penalties.
COMMUNICATION. Call, text, e-mail, fax, send a telegram, use smoke signals… Coaches are not mind readers. Students are REQUIRED to join the Golf Team Remind 101 Group and should expect to receive communications primarily through Remind 101 or via email. Student athletes & parents should be in communication with coaching staff. Students who are ill, injured or unable to attend practice or matches need to communicate with coaches ASAP.
Students who are not communicating or attending practices will not be considered
for competition spots.
PARTICIPATION.
Participation at practice or pre-competition team practice / warm up is mandatory. We are there to have fun, train and compete as representatives of the school.
Students who are not participating or who are excessively distracting others will be warned and potentially dismissed if the behavior continues. Players dismissed early from practices or a match due to behavioral issues may become ineligible to play in the next match. Students competing at matches are expected to actively participate in focused pre-round practice to prepare the team to compete to the best of their ability.
NOTIFICATIONS. The Schedule is on the Team website, and email notifications will be sent out. Parents are encouraged to join the Remind 101 Parents Group so that they can stay informed. Any last-minute changes will be made through REMIND
SELF RELIANCE. Golfers are expected to be prepared for practice and matches with proper attire (bring a jacket on cold days), equipment and shoes to actively participate. While on course snacks and water is available, students with early release or participating on school days should plan on packing a sack lunch or picking up their own lunch from the cafeteria on match days.
IMAGE. Student athletes wearing our team uniform are representatives of Murrieta Mesa High School. Golfers should conduct themselves with honor and integrity.
TEAM LETTERING POLICY. In order to earn a Varsity Letter, Golfers are expected to actively participate in team activities (practices, team game events, pep rallies, fundraising, club rush, etc.); have knowledge and reverence for the rules of golf; demonstrate courtesy and care for their fellow teammates; compete with honor; show respect for opponents, team mates, coaches, parents and teachers; and contribute to the team by scoring in a Varsity level match.
ATTENDANCE POLICY. Students who want to participate in competition or want to have access to golf course practice rounds must actively participate on the Team, regularly attend practices and be in communication with the coaching staff if they have scheduling conflicts (work, school, sports, etc.). If you don’t come, you don’t play.
PRE-SEASON PRACTICE. Prior to the beginning of CIF Competitions (“the Competitive Season”) Practice Opportunities are available during the Girls Golf Season / Fall Golf (August-November, as “Team Managers”) and in the Pre-Season (November-January) are for student athletes who are serious about improving their skill set and/or who want to train year-round and are working to try to get a college scholarship. Pre-season metrics are used to determine athletic skill for eligibility to compete in at the beginning of the season.
COMPETITIVE SEASON PRACTICES & PRACTICE ROUNDS. Participation at practice and playing practice rounds is required for the coaching staff to collect metrics on each player’s skill sets to determine who will represent the school in upcoming matches.
These practice opportunities are essentially ongoing try-outs or “qualifiers” for students who want to participate in competitions. Golf metrics are collected and evaluated throughout the season. Players who want to compete should attend as many practice sessions as possible to continue to develop and hone their skill set.
Determination of players for matches will be made by the coaching staff by analyzing metrics from athletes competing in match play, as well as those collected from practices and scorecards from focused practice rounds. Students are encouraged to practice and play as often as possible.
TRANSPORTATION for AWAY MATCHES & TOURNAMENT PLAY.
Students competing are required to travel via Team Transport (unless the player has already communicated with the coaching staff) so that the team can utilize the travel time to strategize about the course and plan for how best to play the round.
Students leaving from school are expected to pack a lunch or pick up their lunches from the cafeteria on their way to the van.
Students should be fully dressed in their uniform and prepared to load their equipment and board the van for a departure within 20 minutes from the early release time.
Only the 6 student athletes competing will be invited. On very rare occasions there may be an opportunity for additional players to participate in a practice round. Those students will be chosen based on player stats to prepare them to compete in an upcoming match.
Parents are allowed to pick up their student after the match as long as they are they are on site when the match ends.
TRANSPORTATION for HOME MATCHES. Cross Creek is our primary home course and California Oaks Golf Club is our secondary home course. On days that we play matches at these golf courses 6 players will compete in the match, and up to 8 additional students can play practice rounds which count as “qualifier rounds” for students who want to compete in upcoming matches.
Students who can drive or have access to self-transport are encouraged to transport themselves to and from the golf course so that as many players as possible can come.
Students intending to self-transport for Home Matches should notice the coaching staff of their intent to drive ahead of time so that coaches can transport as many students as possible, and so that the Team isn’t waiting for those students to arrive at the van before they leave school.
Students leaving from school are expected to pack a lunch or pick up their lunches from the cafeteria on their way to the van. Students riding in the van should be fully dressed in their uniform and prepared to load their equipment and board the van for a departure within 20 minutes from the early release time.
SELF TRANSPORT. Students who receive early release, who are self-transporting to and/or from a Home Match or who have arranged to self-transport to and/or from an Away Match are expected to travel directly to the appropriate destination (course, school, home, etc.) unless they have communicated directly with a coach or are leaving with their parent or adult relative who will be taking responsibility for the student.
Students self-transporting are expected to be at the golf course or designated driving range 1 hour prior to the start of competition unless otherwise communicated.
TARDINESS. Per USGA Rules of Golf, if a player arrives less than 5 minutes late for their tee time, they will incur a 2-stroke penalty. Players who arrive more than 5 minutes are automatically disqualified. (USGA R5)
Punctuality and communication are hallmarks of courteous behavior. Students
self-transporting who arrive less than 45 minutes prior to a pre-round practice and who are not ready to immediately join the team as they prepare for the match, may, at the discretion of the coaching staff be replaced by another player who is prepared to compete in the competition.
TEAM EQUIPMENT, GEAR & BAGS.
Students are expected to treat team equipment with care. Students who are borrowing team clubs or push carts should handle them with care and keep clubs clean and free of debris.
All training equipment used at practices is the responsibility of the entire team. All players are expected to assist in the collection of practice balls and return all training materials to their designated spot in the storage room. All Team Equipment needs to be returned at the end of the season.
Students who lose or willfully or negligently damage team gear or equipment will be charged the replacement cost of those items as follows:
GOLF PUSH CART $400, TEAM BAG $300, GOLF CLUBS $250, RANGE FINDER $100, LAUNCH MONITOR $400, PUTTING or HITTING MATS & NETS $75.
CLUB & PERSONAL EQUIPMENT STORAGE.
Students may store their golf clubs and equipment in the bag stalls and use the cubbies and hooks in the golf storage closet in the drama room (G146).
SEASON FEES AND FUNDRAISING.
The Season Fee is the student’s share of cost for Team participation throughout the competitive season, which only covers the basics; new hats & uniforms (that students can keep), practice facilities and green fees (to host 5 home league matches).
All additional team competitions, & tournaments, student access to PGA/LPGA Swing Coach Small Group Sessions, Assistant Coach Stipends, Training Tools, Push Carts, Measurement Devices (Range Finders & Launch Monitor), Training Video Library via Golf Pass, Pre and Post Season Practice Rounds, Team Gear, Repairing and Replacing Team Equipment & Clubs, Team Outings & Meals and CIF Costs for practice rounds, transportation and meals are items outside the general budget.
The team needs to actively and routinely participate in fundraising to continue to offer year round golf opportunities for student athletes. All students are expected to participate in fundraising activities.
PARTICIPATE in ACTIVE LISTENING, FOLLOW DIRECTIONS & BE COACHABLE. Golfers are expected to take direction from coaches while under their supervision including while traveling off-campus, during practices and from green to tee during rounds.
Students who are unable or unwilling to follow directions or who behave disrespectfully will receive a warning (1st offense), their parents will be notified (2nd offense), and the player at the discretion of the coaching staff, may be suspended from participating in their next eligible competition (3rd offense).
PLAN AHEAD FOR A SUCCESSFUL ROUND.
Players are expected to plan ahead by staying hydrated during the day of and prior to practices and matches; eat regular, nutritious meals and get adequate sleep. Make sure you have your uniform, golf shoes, water, tees, and golf balls.
LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES & TEAM CAPTAIN STATUS.
Athletes who possess advanced knowledge of the game, skill-set and experience, and desire to take on a leadership role through the mentorship of other players and the development of the team are often asked by coaches to demonstrate skills and run drills at practice. Golfers who meet these criteria, and who routinely set a good example for their peer group are invited to assist and participate in Fall Golf season activities, as Golf Team Managers.
Golf Team Managers routinely travel with the team to home and away matches, assist with the coordination of pre-round travel, practice, discuss course management with other students and are given the opportunity to practice on competition courses virtually year-round.
Outgoing students are encouraged to be actively involved as Golf Team Ambassadors by representing and promoting the Golf program in our community and at the middle schools, as well as on campus at pep rallies, open houses, club rush, and through their active participation in BEAST, Student Leadership and Rams Daily News.
Students seeking leadership opportunities who have met the criteria for Manager or Ambassador roles are eligible for recommended to the Athletic Director to participate as the Team’s Representative for Captain’s Club; each sports franchise sends ONE representative to speak for the team and to relay information about upcoming events.
Golf Team Captain or “Captain” status is reserved for players who possess a keen
understanding and reverence for the rules, have garnered an elevated skill level through hard work and dedication, have demonstrated honor and self-discipline in their conduct, and have exhibited strong leadership through continuous and deliberate care for their teammates. These athletes have the capacity to both effectively lead and follow, and take active leadership roles in the development and maintenance of the Team culture and direction. They are role models who lead by example.
COACH CONTACT INFORMATION. Remind 101 or email should be the primary means of direct communication between students and coaches. Coaches will provide their personal cell phone numbers to families in case of emergencies. Use REMIND 101 or email for routine communication.
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