I’ve coached high school golf (girls and boys) for over ten years. As the years pass, I become more mechanical in my evaluation of the try-out process. When I was 13, vying for a spot on the Amherst Central squad, the three-day affair could be defined as life-or-death, an actual definition of who my little self was in the process of becoming. I do my best to remember those feelings and emotions, so that I never (although it does happen) lose the empathy for a young man I have to cut from the team.

The tryout process is viewed quite differently by players and coaches. Players who did not compete at golf over the summer often arrive with an under-evolved familiarity with the process. Experienced competitors know that a bad shot can eventually be erased by a series of good ones, know that a bad shot cannot be immediately erased by a heroic one (which usually results in consecutive bad shots), know that a bad nine or eighteen (or good ones) can turn in an opposite fashion less than 24 hours later. Seasoned competitors take things as they come, unlike the over-emotional, under-experienced novices.

High school coaches can read. We read the newspaper and websites all summer long. We know if candidates for the team are playing summer events. We know that some kids can afford the high-end events and others cannot. We do know that BDGA and Friday League competitions come cheap or free, as they should. We know that a 93 in summer competition will translate into an 87 under tryout pressure. If you’re not playing summer events, know that your coach is watching.

High school coaches can add. I remember a long-ago tryout for Ken Bugenhagen, when I shot 80 at Audubon, including a remarkable 12 on a par four. I can’t describe why I hit the shots that I did, that ultimately totaled a dozen blows; I simply recall a series of bad decisions. Fortunately for me, Coach knew that 68 for 17 holes was really good and that one score of 12 (we played match play in that era) would only cost us one hole. So players, coaches are more likely to choose the kid who mixes the occasional 8 or 9 in with runs of pars and birdies, over the dude who has bogies and doubles across the card.

Now that teams are chosen, good luck to all competitors. For those who didn’t make the cut, use it as motivation for next year and beyond. Play the NYS Junior Tour this fall and sharpen the competitive edge.