A player who has never kept a scorecard and one who can play 18 holes in competition can both wear Raider blue on the course this spring. Under coach Tyler Freeman, the Jackson Academy girls golf team uses a two-division format that meets each player at her current level.
“This is the best part,” Freeman said. “There’s something for everyone.”
Because of that format, the requirements to join are simple: interest in the game and consistent attendance at practice.
Two Divisions, One Team
The 18-hole division is for experienced golfers who can play a full round alongside other competitors while keeping their own score and following the rules.
The 9-hole division is for players who aren’t yet ready for tournament golf. These players start each hole from 150 yards out in the fairway and play from there. They learn to count strokes and apply the rules as they go.
Who Can Play and When
The team competes at the varsity level and serves girls in ninth through twelfth grades. Freeman also welcomes interest from younger players.
“If there are seventh- and eighth-grade girls who are interested, I’d love to meet you,” he said.
The season runs February through April.
More Than a Game
Freeman said golf teaches lessons that reach well past the 18th green. Players learn to manage the emotions that come with competing against themselves and others. Because golfers count their own strokes, they also learn to hold themselves and their opponents accountable.
The sport also lasts a lifetime. Freeman noted that golf can open doors to business connections once players begin their careers.
“It’s also healthy to be outside,” he said.
Room for Other Interests
Golf fits alongside many other activities, and Freeman said golfers tend to be good at many different things. Softball is the one sport that can be tricky to combine with golf because the swings differ. Once a player learns those key differences, though, she can excel at both.
Students in the arts may have an edge. Picturing a shot before hitting it is a key skill in golf, and Freeman said it makes the game more fun.
Freeman will hold an interest meeting soon, so watch for an announcement with the date and details. Girls with questions in the meantime can contact him at tfreeman@jacksonacademy.org.
