Edina
Girls
Golf
A Handbook for Players and Parents
2015 Edina Girl’s Golf
Guidelines for Players and Parents
The following information pertains to this years Edina Girl’s Golf
program. Please review these guidelines and be ready to enjoy an
incredibly fun filled season on the links.
Coaches
Varsity Coach
Mark Harelstad mark.harelstad@edinaschools.org
(W) 848-3073 (voice mail)
(C) 612-616-5119
Junior Varsity
Kjersti Humphrey kjersti.olson@edinaschools.org
(W) 848-3074
(C) 763-913-6038
*Please no calls after 9 pm.
Athletic Office Hot Line 848-3814 (cancellations, directions, etc)
Fax 952-848-3818
Goals for the Season
1. To become better golfers mentally and physically.
2. To respect and learn more about the game of golf.
3. To display integrity, honesty and proper etiquette on and off the golf
course.
4. To create a fair and competitive spirit within our team.
5. To have fun!
Team Participants
1. The varsity golf team will consist of the top 10 players. Players will be
selected using the criteria described in team selection.
2. The junior varsity golf team will consist of the next 12 players.
Selection for this team will be described in team selection.
3. All players should be aware of the time commitment for practices and
matches. Players are expected to attend all practices and/or matches
throughout the season. Be aware of the multiple activities
statement.
Team Policies
1. Chemical/Substance use: The Edina High School Chemical Policy
will be followed. Please be aware that the first infraction consists of
missing two weeks of matches. Make good decisions!
2. Practice times and locations are found on player’s calendars.
Please check our Edina athletics webpage: edinaschools.org/girlsgolf
or call the hot line for updates or changes.
3. Absence Policy: Players are expected to contact their coach prior to
missing practice. Failing to contact coaches may result in a player
being held out of their next match.
4. School Work: It is your responsibility to make up any work you miss
due to early dismissal from school for a match. Please talk to your
teachers to set up a time to make up work. Good communication
with your teachers will enable you to perform well on and off the golf
course.
5. Behavior: Players are expected to be honest and display proper
etiquette on the course. Please report improper behavior to your
coach if issues should arise.
Team Selection
1. The varsity team will consist of the top 10 players who:
a. record the lowest cumulative scores during the four-day tryout
period (weather permitting). Scores must be obtained on a
regulation course, be witnessed by at least 3 other players, and
occur during a match or tryout round.
b. consistently hit the ball long and accurately. (Coaches will
evaluate players at dome and during tryouts)
c. understand and are able to interpret the rules of golf.
d. display a passion for the game of golf.
e. are responsible and dependable players (attend all practices).
2. The junior varsity team will consist of the next 12 players who:
a. record the lowest cumulative scores during the first week of
practice rounds. Scores must be obtained on the Braemar
Regulation or Executive course or in a JV match.
b. understand the rules of golf.
c. display a desire to learn the game of golf.
d. are responsible and dependable players (attend all practices).
e. In order for a senior player to play on the junior varsity team
she must be one of the top three players on the JV.
3. Coaches may move players between the teams, as they deem
necessary throughout the season.
Lettering
1. A player will letter in golf by:
a. Participating in a minimum of 6 varsity matches
b. Participating and having your score count in at least 4 varsity
matches
c. Being a senior player who has been part of the golf program for
three years
d. Coaches discretion
Team Uniforms
1. Players are expected to purchase a team shirt. Team shirts and long
pants must be worn during each match. Shorts (length) must be no
higher than 2-3 inches above the knee. Please talk to the team
captains for further information concerning apparel.
2. Proper attire and etiquette must be displayed at all times (including
practice). No half shirts, low riding pants, yoga pants or jeans are
to be worn at practices or matches. Golf shoes must be spike less
or a player may wear tennis shoes. Remember, we are guests of most
courses and represent Edina.
3. More team apparel may be available at the beginning of the season.
More details to be given later.
Transportation
1. Students must provide their own transportation to and from practice.
Practice for the varsity team will be at Braemer Golf Course and
perhaps at some of the private courses in the area. Junior Varsity
practice will be held at Braemar Executive Course.
2. Edina High School will provide transportation to away matches.
Players must ride with the team bus or a parent.
Varsity Playing Procedures
1. Upon completion of the tryouts, the top 6 players with the lowest
cumulative scores will qualify for our first match.
2. Players will continually compete for playing privileges in order to
qualify for matches (TBD during practices).
3. Players with the top four low scores from each match will retain
their spots for the next match. The remaining girls will re-qualify
for the remaining two spots. Coaches’ discretion on player
selection may be necessary in case of any conflicts.
4. Qualifying will consist of playing nine holes, stroke play. Ties will
be broken using the highest handicap hole from this round.
Rules for Golf from MSHSL
1. A team shall consist of a minimum of four (4) players and a maximum
of six (6) players. The score of the team shall be determined by
combining the four (4) lowest scores of the six (6) team members. The
team with the lowest aggregate score is the winner. In case of a tie,
the fifth player’s score will be used as a tiebreaker.
2. All matches are stroke play.
3. No caddies permitted.
4. Possession of a cell phone or any other electronic communication
device by a player during the course of a stipulated round will result
in a disqualification of a player.
5. The use of range finders and any other similar devices may be used,
however they cannot be found on a smart phone.
6. A player who uses vulgar language, throws a golf club, and defaces
the golf course in anyway or displays any other unsportsmanlike
conduct will be assessed a two-stroke penalty for the first
infraction. The second offense will result in disqualification. It is
the obligation of the player to make the call on oneself. If she does
not, it is the obligation of the other players in the group to call the
penalty. If they do not call the penalty, all players in the group will be
subject to disqualification under USGA rule 1-3. Please abide and
enforce others on this rule.
7. A player may not seek or accept advice from anyone while
competing on the course. “On the course” is interpreted as from the
time the player tees off on the first hole until after she holes out on
the last hole each day. Spectators must maintain a minimum
distance of 25 yards from all players. Normal player/coach
communication and contact, other than advice, may take place from
green to tee during the regular season.
8. The “Pocket Rule.” A golfer may not carry a ball on her other than
the ball in play, during competition. If another ball is to be used,
the player must take the ball from her bag and announce to her group
that a ball has been lost or that a second ball will be played. A golfer
may not carry a ball in her pocket or have such a ball on her person.
The penalty for carrying a second ball will be two strokes per
incident.
9. A person’s ball must be marked in order to identify it. Please create
your own way of marking your ball using a permanent marker.
10.No motorized cart may be used during the season. Exceptions must
be filed through the MSHSL. Pull carts are allowed. See your coach
for further details.
11.Proper attire is required on the course. Clothing or hats displaying
products that are inappropriate to MSHSL principles (alcohol,
tobacco, etc.) are not acceptable.
12. All players must abide by the USGA rules. Be aware and be
knowledgeable of these rules.
13. Pace of Play – Each player is responsible for playing without undue
delay. Each group of players should be approximately one starting
interval behind the preceding group throughout the entire round.
Always be aware of your position on the course. A player is
permitted 40 seconds to play a stroke. Timing starts when the
player has a reasonable time to reach her ball, it is clearly the players
turn to play and nothing interferes with the player’s ability to play the
stroke. Timing on the putting green begins after a player has had a
reasonable amount of time to repair ball marks and remove loose
impediments on the line of the putt. When a group is OUT OF
POSITION they will automatically be under official warning. A verbal
warning is not required for to under an official warning. In review,
PLAY READY GOLF!
14. Coaching on the course is permitted by varsity and junior varsity
coaches only. Coaches may talk to their players anywhere on the
course EXCEPT when the player’s ball lies on the putting green.
Coaches may NOT enter a bunker to coach their players. Coaches
must be identified by the Committee prior to the start of a round.
Selection for Section Tournament
1. At the end of the season, the section team will consist of the six
players who have the lowest aggregate scores over our last six
matches. This should include at least one 18-hole score.
2. If deemed necessary, an 18-hole playoff will be created to select
players or alternates for the section team.
3. Upon review of the previous criteria, Mr. Harelstad, Mrs. Humphrey
and the captains will select the section team.
Lake Conference All-Conference Criteria
Player must participate in 6 of the 10 matches including the conference
tournament (counts as 2 matches). Players must have a minimum of 6
scores. One high score from a dual match may be dropped from the
equation which determines stroke average. The lowest 12 stroke average
scores will be awarded with all-conference distinction.
Final Thoughts
Check out edinaschools.org/girlsgolf and find all that you need to know
about the Edina Girl’s Golf Team. Coaches, captains and parents will
maintain this page and provide regular updates and photos throughout
our season. Our hope is to continue the strong performances we have
created over the past few years and hopefully return to the State
Tournament. We will continue to help player’s become aware of the
mental game of golf and developing routines that will create the
appropriate pace of play. During practices, we will teach players how to
practice with a purpose and guide players in shot selections while
playing their round. We will create pressure situations that will emulate
real playing situations and help our players develop good choices when
selecting their shots. Players hoping to make our team must be willing
to work both mentally and physically in preparing for our short season.
Players can expect to practice 2-3 hours each night after school. Practice
will begin at 3:30 pm and usually go until 6 or 7 pm. Players should
make the necessary arrangements to attend all practices. To become an
elite high school player, one must spend more time practicing than the
time allocated after school. Always remember to practice as you play.
We want to have fun while becoming more focused during practice and
matches. Please make sure we have your correct email addresses at the
beginning of the season. Kjersti and I are very excited about this year’s
team and have high hopes of winning our conference and potentially
returning to the State Tournament. We hope you are up to the challenge
and can’t wait to get started for another season.
Mark Harelstad
Kjersti Olson