Golf
FLORENCE SAWYER SCHOOL
INTRAMURAL GOLF
June 17, 2011
Hi Everyone!
Thank you all for a great tournament and a great intramural golf season! The golfers seemed to be focused on fundamentals more than usual and realized that there is basically only one way to swing a club. I'm very proud of all the golfers. They're developing a skill and activity they'll have for life.
And thank you parents for your involvement in the program. Special thanks to the many parents who golfed, caddied, coached, kept score and formed our galleries.
Pasted is the link to the Sawyer Staff/Parents vs. Intramural golfers photos from last Wednesday. A few real keepers in the lot.
Also, Twin Springs is offering a summer youth league. It's a rare and great idea. I have attached their flyer for your information. It's a great opportunity for kids to golf regularly through the summer. The Twin Springs staff would organize the pairings from week to week.
Have a wonderful summer! Keep them practicing!
Don Ryan
Wednesday, June 1. 10:30PM
Hello everyone,
Most important, I hope everyone is safe and your homes are fine after tonight's storm. It was a weird day and evening, to say the least. The fast moving storm was supposed to pass through Bolton around 5, with clear skies behind it, so we figured we'd be good and wait out the storm in the clubhouse if necessary. The storm didn't do what the forecasters predicted on the internet and we got caught. Very sorry about that.
And tonight's 6-8 choral concert was evacuated at the beginning. Tomorrow, I'll work on rescheduling the performances.
Today's intramural golf lesson is rescheduled for tomorrow, Thursday, same time, with pickup at Twin Springs at 5:15. We will be trying to get a bus, but cannot contact the bus company until tomorrow morning. Your child should plan to bring their clubs to school, though they may only need their driver or 3 wood. Please continue to check your email or the golf website tomorrow for an update on the bus. If we cannot reserve a bus, your child would need to go home as they normally would (with their clubs) and find a ride to Twin by 4PM.
This Saturday's tournament, June 4, begins at 8AM, so the golfers will need to be at Twin Springs at 7:30AM. We need many parents to walk with the groups, keep score, caddy, be the gallery, and you're welcome to offer advice to the golfers if you wish. No need to let me know; just tell me Saturday morning. The format is a best ball scramble, shotgun start. Collared shirts required for the golfers and they should stock up on used golf balls and tees.
The following tournament, Monday, June 6, with Hale Middle School, at Stowaway Golf Course, Stow, will begin at approximately 4:15. We'll try to revise the format to keep it shorter this year. Again, we can use as many parents as we get to walk with the groups. We have many more golfers than Stow so the format will probably be a scramble with a Stow student in each group. It's a great opportunity for the kids to play with unfamiliar faces and to play a different course.
I'll keep in touch. Thanks for your patience and understanding.
Take care,
Don Ryan
May 26, 2011
The Short Game!
What a blast we all had yesterday! Bob Keene is the man! What better idea is there in that lovely weather than spending an hour competing with short game skills? A good short game will lower your scores drastically!
Next week, we are still having golf on Wednesday, June 1, even with the 4/5 Chorus Concert. Golf finishes at 5:15, the concert begins at 7, with students arriving at 6:15. There is time.
Remember sunblock and water!
And as always.......PRACTICE DAILY!Three dates to remember:
Saturday, June 4: Intramural Golf tournament at Twin Springs. Tee-off in the morning (time TBA). We will need many parents to walk with the groups, keep score, and......caddy(?)
Monday, June 6: Tournament with Hale Middle School golf club at Stowaway Golf Course in Stow. The golfers will be bused after school to Stowaway. Pickup at Stowaway, time TBA. Again, we will need many parents to walk with the groups. Note: last year's tournament with Hale went on a bit too long. We are working on a way to keep it at 2 hours this year.
Wednesday, June 15: at Twin Springs VS the Sawyer Staff. Tee-off at 4:30. I'm looking into a one-way bus for that day, but you would need to pick up the golfers. The format would be 3 students' best ball against the teacher's one ball. Sound fair? We may need a few parent golfers to fill the staff roster. There aren't that many golfing teachers here at Sawyer. Let me know if you'd be interested and I'll put you on a list and let you know.
May 20, 2011
Hi all,
First of all, the date change. The tournament with the Stow schools' golf club at Stowaway Golf Course in Stow, has been changed to Monday, June 6, after school, time TBA. The golfers will be bused to, but not back from the course. Details to follow. There was a conflict at Hale MS that necessitated the change.
Also, we have our Intramural Tournament/Cookout, Saturday morning, June 4, at Twin Springs. No bus. And our tournament vs. Sawyer staff, after school, June 15, at Twin Springs. Again, details to follow.
A Golf Putting Test: (please test your golfer)
1. When putting, what's more important, aim or distance?"
2. How many putts are allowed per round?
3. What percentage of the strokes in a round of golf is the putting?
4. How is a reverse-overlap grip different than the conventional grip?
5. What "trick" can you do to find the exact setup position of the putter?
6.What do the wrists and head have in common when putting?
Everybody learned a lot at the International Wednesday. And the rain held off!
Remember, putting can be PRACTICED (daily) indoors on a rug.
Enjoy the hopefully dry weekend!
Don Ryan
*********************************
Three dates to remember:
Saturday, June 4: Intramural Golf tournament at Twin Springs. Tee-off in the morning (time TBA). We will need many parents to walk with the groups, keep score, and......caddy(?)
Monday, June 6: Tournament with Hale Middle School golf club at Stowaway Golf Course in Stow. The golfers will be bused after school to Stowaway. Pickup at Stowaway, time TBA. Again, we will need many parents to walk with the groups. Note: last year's tournament with Hale went on a bit too long. We are working on a way to keep it at 2 hours this year.
Wednesday, June 15: at Twin Springs VS the Sawyer Staff. Tee-off at 4:30. I'm looking into a one-way bus for that day, but you would need to pick up the golfers. The format would be 3 students' best ball against the teacher's one ball. Sound fair? We may need a few parent golfers to fill the staff roster. There aren't that many golfing teachers here at Sawyer. Let me know if you'd be interested and I'll put you on a list and let you know.
May 12, 2011
Hello all,
Next week’s lesson, 5/18, will be held at the International Golf Club. The golfers will be bused and pickup is still at 5:15, but at the IGC. We will probably be at the putting green next to the driving range. To Dante and Nick K.: The high school golf coach, Dennis Bean, will be at the lesson to talk with you about the high school golf team and to answer your questions.
Golfers need to wear a collared shirt (polo) and we would prefer no jeans. Shorts are OK.
Golfers only need to bring their putters to school. I would strongly suggest marking them in some way because with 30 putters, there’s bound to be some confusion.
Three dates to remember:
Saturday, June 4: Intramural Golf tournament at Twin Springs. Tee-off in the morning (time TBA). We will need many parents to walk with the groups, keep score, and……caddy(?)
Thursday, June 9: Tournament with Hale Middle School golf club at Stowaway Golf Course in Stow. The golfers will be bused after school to Stowaway. Pickup at Stowaway, time TBA. Again, we will need many parents to walk with the groups. Note: last year’s tournament with Hale went on a bit too long. We are working on a way to keep it at 2 hours this year.
Wednesday, June 15: at Twin Springs VS the Sawyer Staff. Tee-off at 4:30. I’m looking into a one-way bus for that day, but you would need to pick up the golfers. The format would be 3 students’ best ball against the teacher’s one ball. Sound fair? We may need a few parent golfers to fill the staff roster. There aren’t that many golfing teachers here at Sawyer. Let me know if you’d be interested and I’ll put you on a list and let you know.
Great job yesterday. We reviewed the grip (2V2 and “hot dog in the bun”), the chip (straight arms, no “fishy” hands, and no lower body movement), the power chip (same as chip, but club halfway back and through, finish with weight on left foot and body facing target), and the pitch shot (same as power chip, but cock wrists on backswing and follow-through).
Please keep them swinging correctly in the back yard every day. Like the new hats? Our thanks to the district Athletic Director, Tania Rich.
“Keep your heads down!”
Don Ryan
May 6, 2011
DATE TO REMEMBER:
Wednesday, June 15, vs. Sawyer Teachers at Twin Springs, 4:30, no bus. Details to follow.
POWER CHIP LESSON
PRACTICE DAILY!!
The golfers did really well today. The lesson focused first on reviewing the grip (the hot dog in the bun!), posture (straight line along lower back-between shoulders-back of head) and then the power (full) chip, 20-30 yards. The clubhead must be waist high on the backswing to waist high on the follow-through. Shaft pointed away from the target to shaft pointing toward the target. Straight left arm, right elbow bent. The power and the distance are from the body turn towards the target.
I'm hoping the golfers, especially the intermediate players, realize the importance of these two lessons. For the most part, the full swing is an extension of a short chip or a power chip. Those having problems with full-swing direction and distance should be using their chipping as the guide to discovering how to correct their full-swing problems.
That, and good chipping can easily knock 10 strokes off the scorecard!
Please encourage the golfers to PRACTICE daily in the back yard; hard balls for short chips, whiffle golf balls for full chips. Golf nets for the backyard are great, too.
Looking forward to seeing the progress on May 11.
DR
Hello all,
A reminder that golf has been rescheduled for this Friday, 5/6, but pick up time will need to be 5PM, because of Twin Springs’ scheduling. We’re thankful that they were able to fit us in at the last moment. The clubs that were left here at Sawyer are welcome to stay here for Friday’s lesson.
Again, sorry about yesterday’s confusion.
Keep them swinging in the back yard!
See you Friday at 5.
Don Ryan
April 27, 2011
Great chipping lesson today!
PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE EVERY DAY
The lesson focused on the grip and chipping. The grip: remember the 2 knuckles, the V and the thumb at 11 o'clock. And the "hot dog in the bun!"
Congrats to the team of Dante and Chris V. for winning the chipping contest!
Chipping is not only a good way to introduce new golfers to the game, but is an important lesson to help experienced golfers with their short game. "Up and down!" Half the strokes on your scorecard are chips and putts.
And, a chip is also the start of the full swing!
Practice chipping every day! Put an object on the back yard and chip to it. Or aim for the bottom of a tree trunk. Remember: only the straight arms and shoulders move, like putting. Don't move your legs, body, and head. And very important: frozen wrists! The swingpath: back and through to the target.
FINISH WITH "A B C." Can you name all the parts of a golf club?
Drop into my room before school if you need help, review, or just want me check out your chipping stroke.
Please remember to keep me informed via email or notes, of all changes in your child's schedule, i.e., absent from school or golf, pickup at Twin Springs by a neighbor, staying at Twin to play 9 or use the driving range, etc. My main concern is keeping your child accounted for and safe. I will send out search and rescue if I don't know the whereabouts of your child. Thanks very much.
PRACTICE DAILY!
DR
~ ~ ~
April 12, 2011
Hello Golfers and Parents!
Just letting you know we have a full complement of golfers and are ready to start our 2011 season. Last year was a great success. Many of our golfers are returnees from last year. That says a lot about the program, the lessons and the golfers.
The first lesson is the first Wednesday, April 27, after we return from vacation. The bus will be here by 3:45, to take the golfers to Twin Springs Golf Course. Remember, you are responsible for picking them up at Twin Springs at 5:15.
Your clubs may be brought to school on Wednesday mornings. Students should put them neatly and organized in the stage storage room, next to the gym. There is an outside door, which I'll try to have unlocked before you arrive. For those students who do not own clubs, Twin Springs will supply clubs for the lessons.
* Your clubs may be brought to school on the morning bus only if you ask the bus driver ahead of that day if he/she will allow it. They have all allowed it, but I wouldn't wait for a Wednesday morning to ask.
At dismissal time, students should stay in their homerooms until the 2nd wave of busses is dismissed. At that time, go to the gym and sit on the bleachers. Do not bring your clubs into the gym. If I am delayed for any reason, another teacher will be with you until I join you in the gym. We'll then go to the stage storage room for the clubs.
We'll have a few minutes before the bus, and we'll review the previous lesson, with club in hand.
*Please remember, you are responsible for your own transportation home from Twin Springs at 5:15PM.
*Students planning on staying at Twin Springs beyond 5:15 need to have a note for Mr. Ryan.
*Parents, I'm trying to keep your child accounted for and safe. You can help me do this by keeping me informed of who is absent from school or intramural golf, who is going home with whom, and who is staying beyond 5:15. Too many times we have held the bus while searching for a student.
WEBSITE! We have a Sawyer Golf website up and running. Go to the Sawyer School page/Activities/Athletics/Golf, or bookmark http://sawyer.nrsd.net/golf.php I use the webpage for important announcements as well as a review of the week's lesson. Keep checking it. Also, when Twin Springs is holding a youth tournament (unrelated to our intramural golf), I'll advertise it to encourage our golfers to participate. The Twin Springs website is: http://www.twinspringsgolf.com/
EMAIL. If there is an additional email address you'd like to have receive these mailings, just send me an email and I'll include it. I have included Bob Keene, golf pro at the International and will be teaching our lessons, in this email so he'll be able to send you specials and youth tournament information from Twin Springs.
The golfers need to practice daily. The lesson teaches a fundamental, but only daily practice or at least merely swinging a club makes the skill ingrained and natural. Golf whiffle balls in the back yard are a great aid.
I am working on a June date for the Sawyer Intramural Golfers vs. Sawyer staff. I'll keep you updated.
If there are questions, I can be contacted at dryan@nrsd.net.
Hit ‘em straight!
Don Ryan
April 1, 2011
We are pleased to announce that the intramural golf program, in conjunction with Twin Springs Golf Course and the International Golf Club, is being offered to grades 5-8 Sawyer School students.
Sawyer Intramural Golf, with Twin Springs/IGC, is offering the following:
- 6 Group Lessons to be held at Twin Springs with Bob Keene, professional at the International Golf Club. Lessons are every Wednesday, beginning April 27, 4:00-5:15, ending June 1. Lessons focus on beginners and intermediate players.
- Sawyer Intramural Golf Tournament/Cookout to be held Saturday morning, June 4, at Twin Springs.
- Tournament vs. Hale Middle School Intramural Golf Team to be held at the Stowaway Golf Course in Stow. Date to be determined.
- An additional focus on 8th grade students considering trying out for the high school golf team, including a visit by Mr. Dennis Bean, NRHS golf coach.
- Possibly, a tournament vs. Sawyer’s teachers to be held at Twin Springs. The format would be match play, with three students playing best ball against a teacher’s one ball.
- A bus will leave Sawyer every Wednesday at 3:45 to transport the golfers to Twin Springs. Parents are responsible for picking up their children at Twin Springs at 5:15. There will not be a bus to the Saturday, June 4, tournament/cookout, or to the tournament vs. Hale.
Price for the program is $100, which includes the bus, one-way to Twin Springs, for the six Wednesdays. To sign up, the attached extracurricular permission sheet, or found at the Sawyer website/Activities/Athletics/Golf, must be returned to Mr. Ryan with a check made payable to the Florence Sawyer School. I have extra sheets at my door if you’re unable to print the webpage.
Twin Springs can only accommodate 25 students; the first 25 students to return the Extracurricular Permission sheet and check will be accepted. If there are questions, I can be contacted at dryan@nrsd.net.
Don Ryan
Sawyer School
*******************************************
Nashoba Regional School District
Florence Sawyer School
100 Mechanic Street, Bolton, Massachusetts 01740
Permission for Extracurricular Activities
Extracurricular Activity: Intramural Golf
Student Name: _________________________________________
DOB: ______________________ Grade/Homeroom: _______________
Please provide phone numbers where you can be reached during this activity should it be necessary to contact you for any reason.
Parent/Guardian: ________________________________
Home Phone: ____________________
Work: ____________________ Cell:_________________
Other:_________________________
Father/Guardian: ________________________________
Home Phone: _____________________
Work: ____________________ Cell:_________________
Other:__________________________
Emergency Contact (Local person to be notified in case of emergency, when you are unable to be reached.)
Name:_____________________________
Phone: ______________________
Relationship:_________________
Does your child have a life-threatening allergy? Yes No
If so, to what? _________________________________________________________________
Does your child carry his/her own epi-pen? Yes No
Does your child have asthma? Yes No
Does your child carry his or her own inhaler? Yes No
(Permission to carry an epi-pen or inhaler requires that physician permission be on file with the school nurse.) MEDICAL RELEASE: I grant my child permission to participate in this activity and I grant the Nashoba Regional School District Personnel, the right to obtain emergency medical treatment for my child, __________________________________, during the period of this extracurricular activity. I give permission for ambulance transport to the nearest hospital. Payment for any and all medical treatment is the financial responsibility of the parent/guardian.Parent/Guardian signature: ___________________________________ Date: _____________
Parent (name) Email_____________________________________________________
Student Email___________________________________________________________
Student’s Name___________________________________Grade_________
Regarding GOLF, would you consider your child a 1. beginner or 2. intermediate player?
What is your child’s average score for 9 holes at Twin Springs?
Has your child previously participated in the Sawyer Intramural Golf program?
Has your child previously taken lessons with Bob Keene at Twin Springs?
Does your child have his/her own set of clubs?
If no, clubs will be provided for the lessons only, but it is recommended that he/she have a club at home to practice the week’s lesson and swinging daily.