VPA GOLF COMMITTEE

Thursday, September 27, 2012

St. Johnsbury Country Club

Members Present: Chris Hungerford, Carl Backman, Brian McCarthy, Ron Bixby,

Dave Cobb, Bob Johnson, Pat Merriam, Paul Wheeler

Minutes:

-Pat/Paul elected as co-Chairs for the 2012-2013 year.

-minutes of previous meeting approved by consensus.

-Review of 2012 season. Conditions at championships at Middlebury were

not good. Course was very wet and a rule was put in place allowing no

penalty if a ball was lost in the middle of the fairway due to the wet conditions. Also, a mistake was made by the VGA representative in terms of which tee was to be used for tee offs. He admits he made a mistake.

Girls championships at Proctor/Pittsford went well. Some concern expressed that this is too difficult a course.

-discussion on developing a rotational system for state championships.

Woodstock has offered to host next year. Other possibilities are CC of Vermont, Jay Peak, VT National, Okemo and Green Mt. National.

Motion by Paul, second by Brian, to have Woodstock host 2013 boys championships and to look at developing a rotational system for further championships. Vote – approved unanimously (5-0). Boys regionals will be on May 28th and 29th. Championships on June 5th. Rotation to be 3-1-2.

-discussion on stroke limit to qualify for championships. This was proposed

last year, but there was a lot of push back. Committee agrees that it should be stated to say that the boys limit is 110 (girls 120) unless you cannot field a competitive team without these individuals. This will be put into the guide.

-sites for regionals D1S – Equinox (Bob will ask Paul Kelly to check), D1N – Jay,

D2S – Rutland (Ron will check), D2N - ?, D3S - Mt. Snow (Ron will check),

D3N – Stowe (Pat will check).

Girls championships will be on June 5th at Proctor/Pittsford. Next year the committee will look at a rotational system for the girls.

-discussion on establishing stroke limit to qualify for New Englands.

We are allowed to send 12, but current practice has been to send 10 as we are getting into higher scores. Consensus that we keep with current practice.

-discussion on proposal to expand number of golfers on a girls team.

Motion by Carl, second by Chris, to allow girls teams to have 4 members and count 2 towards team score. Approved unanimously (5-0)

-discussion on Fall golf. Pat would like to develop a proposal for a limited

Fall golf season. It would be structured differently. Spring golf would still remain for state championships. Consensus to proceed with this.

-discussion on how to get golf teams to know the rules. One idea is to see if the

VGA can come up with or already has a multiple choice test that could be given to high school players concerning the rules of golf. VGA will be contacted about this.

-brief discussion on the use of coaches as rules officials. Consensus that this

should not happen. No further discussion.

-brief discussion on developing a sheet with expectations for schools who are

hosting events. No further action.

- adjourned