Golf Development Conference Call Minutes April 22, 2012

[Meely Yim]

Golf Development Conference Call Notes

1. Welcome, Call overview

2. Sport Development
Is your program at capacity?
Programs at Capacity: Mississauga, Brampton, Port Colbourne, Timmins

Program Size:
Programs across the province range in size, with the majority being
between 12-16 athletes.This depends greatly on the volunteer and
facility resources available.

Unattached Athletes: Unattached athletes are registered Special
Olympics Ontario athletes who are training with a Special Olympics
Coach or a PGA of Canada Pro/instructor. The pro/instructor must be
a registered as a coach with special Olympics Ontario. This status
is only available to athletes who are not registered in Community
Programs because their Community program is at Capacity. To register
as an unattached athlete they must have permission from Special
Olympics Ontario, inquiries should be directed to their District
Developer and Dia Sue-Wah-Sing, Sport Developer.

Q: What are the age ranges in your program?
A: Most Programs have a variety of age groups in their program.
(avg. 14+ - 60’s years of age)

What Program challenges are you having?
Q: What are some of the best practices for transitioning athletes from
learning fundamentals on the driving range to playing on the course;
given my Club’s limited Coach Resources?

Discussion and ideas:

Develop a season plan to maximize your training weeks into
effective training blocks.
Work with your Community Council to find additional volunteer
support. This will allow you to group athletes of different
developmental stages.
If possible, add additional training day to give athletes “on
course” experience.
Be creative, split your weekly practice time into 2 back to back
session with different ability groups in each.

Action Item: If you have additional ideas please post them on the”
Golf” Discussion Group.http://groups.google.com/a/
specialolympicsontario.ca/group/golf.group/topics



Coach Education Opportunity
The Canadian PGA and Special Olympics Canada have developed a one-
day, 8 hour training course designed specifically for Special Olympics
volunteers that will equip them with the skills and confidence to run
a Special Olympics Golf Program. This course will be offered in
Toronto, Ontario on Saturday May 12 2012 at the Sport Alliance of
Ontario. This course is for volunteers
who have previously attended a Special Olympics NCCP coaching course
and are already involved with/or looking to become involved in Special
Olympics golf programs. The cost of the course is $100. The course
will run from 8:30am - 5:00pm. If you wish to view the full details
of the course or to register
please visit the CPGA website at
https://www.pgaofcanada.com/nccp/seminars/registration.aspx?l=0%2c647.


3. Sport Technical- Questions and Caddies
Rules can be found here http://info.specialolympicsontario.ca/programs-policies-procedures/14-sports/14-10---golf

At this season’s Provincial Qualifiers, Caddies will not be used.
Rationale: Caddies will “currently”not be used at the 2014 National
Games. SOO would like to prepare our athletes to compete in this
format (without a Caddie). This is the first time there will be a
Provincial Qualifier for Golf and at 2013 Provincial Games. We will
be assessing the needs of our athletes at the Provincial Qualifiers
to make any modifications for Provincial Games. We strongly encourage
coaches to provide feedback to SOO through Dia Sue-Wah-Sing ,Sport
Developer di...@specialolympicsontario.com

There was expressed concern, that the official role of the Caddie
and its implications for Special Olympics volunteers (of a diverse
expertise level), warrants further discussion.

Discussion:

There was expressed concern amongst coaches that athletes need
assistance with reading the green,, score marking, club
selection..etc. If Caddies are not permitted what other supports are
available?

There was discussion that the quality of score marking volunteers
needs to be evaluated; as some volunteers, at previous competitions
were not keeping accurate score

Action item: SOO will work on a solution for this matter for the
Provincial Qualifiers.

Suggestion: That Competition Hosts should ensure the quality of the
score marking volunteers in the absence of Caddies.

4. Competition Development , PQ’s, Invitational,
Q:What other formats are available, for athletes that are not yet
playing 9 holes?
A: There are a few invitational competitions that will be featuring
skills competitions, 3, or 6 holes. Please reference the competition
calendar at http://events.specialolympicsontario.com for further
details. The SOO invitational at Rolling Hills, Stouffville,ON on
Sept.7th. It has a partner format for those that are still developing
towards 9 holes independently.

Q: Will Coaches be able to walk behind?
A: Coaches will need to be in designated areas as spectators

Q: Are teams able to play the course beforehand?
A: Teams are able to play the course beforehand but NOT on
Competition day.


6. June 6th Youth, Learn to Play Clinic at Eldarado Golf Club
Whitby,ON
In conjunction with the Golf Association of Ontario, we will be
presenting a “Learn to Play” clinic for athletes (ages 12-21) with
an intellectual disability. Registration details will be posted
shortly.

7. Golf Club Donations
Is anyone in need of donated clubs?
SOO has been offered a golf club donation but would prefer that they
get into the hands of the athletes,as soon as possible. If your club
is in need of golf clubs, please contact Meely Yim
mee...@specialolympicsontario.com to express your interest.

Keith Boyce certified Member of the Canadian Golf Teachers
Federation,United States Golf Teachers Federation and World Golf
Teachers Federation ( Special Olympics Coach from Mississauga) has
offered to modified club shaft for athletes who may need this
modification or inspect clubs for damage. Please contact Keith
directly for further information.