November 2017 Coach Approach

Published by Ray Johnson
November 17, 2017

Volume XXX Issue #2

The board members of the Golf Coaches Association of Wisconsin are pleased to present the 2017 Fall Issue of The Coach Approach. In this issue you will find the following:

President’s Message

The weather has changed, a change that took place rather abruptly.  Just a few days ago I sat comfortably in my treestand enjoying the time allotted with my father, brother, and son. There was a light rain and I felt a slight chill, but I recall clearly thinking that my boys golf team could, and would play in this weather. In fact, some probably did. Last night, I charged out door #2 of North High towards the east parking lot and, with a piercing wind straight off Lake Michigan, Mother Nature informed me it is time to tuck the vest into the closet and reach for the winter coat.

The change in weather brings with it a certain excitement. The firm frozen ground and frosted windshields serve as a sharp reminder that I must finalize the boys golf schedule, begin work on my tournament preparation, and bring the College Showcase into focus. The bare trees and browning grass suggest that soon the ground will be snow covered and windswept, which after a few frigid months, will turn into a slushy mess, a slushy mess almost always ushers in our Spring Clinic.  

Cold crisp mornings and early sunsets are characteristics of our off season. A time to get away from the golf course and spend some much needed time with family. It’s an opportunity to reflect on what is going well within our programs, and more importantly, identify the areas in which we can provide more opportunities for our athletes.

As a golf coach in Wisconsin, there are few things you can do that more easily provide opportunities to your athletes than getting a Membership in the GCAW. As a member, your players are eligible to receive All-State, Academic All-State, and Team Academic All-State honors. Last summer we provided $6500 in scholarships to graduating seniors. Without membership within the GCAW, your seniors will not be eligible. With that in mind, please check our website often for upcoming opportunities for you and your athletes as well as the deadlines associated with them.

Congratulations to our WIAA Girls Golf State Champions. Coach Breaker and his Arrowhead Warhawks won the two day WIAA State Tournament by 27 strokes over Milton, making them back to back state champs. In division two, Coach Andy Foley of Aquinas earned and his Blugolds earned their first state championship in school history with a 15 shot victory over second place Edgewood.

Also deserving recognition are our individual state champions. Division one champion, Mia Seeman (Coach Kirk Wieland), edged out Abby Cavaiani of Kettle Moraine (John Sams). And the division two state champion, Erika Priebe of Fox Valley Lutheran (Coach David Kolander) held off Hayward’s (Coach Tali Johnson) Emily Neff to capture her state title.

I would also like to congratulate all of our All-State, Academic All-State, Team Academic All-State, and scholarship winners. Your hard work and dedication to all things great about student athletes, golf, and Wisconsin do not go unnoticed.
Enjoy your offseason.  Be certain to spend some time with those that support us the most.  

Andrew Delong
Sheboygan North High School Boys Golf
GCAW President

Girls All-State Teams

First Team All State

Emily Balding – Brookfield Central
Jo Baranczyk – Bay Port
Abby Cavaiani** – Kettle Moraine (Player of the Year)
Payton Hodson – Middleton
Speedy Kent – Homestead
Emily Lauterbach – Arrowhead
Mia Seeman – Milton
**Player of the Year

Second Team All State
Sarah Ernst – Arrowhead
Taylor Hakala – Milton
Isabelle Maleki – Homestead
Lorenza Martinez – Divine Savior Holy Angels
Courtney Matschke – Franklin
Lexi Meade – Eau Claire Memorial
Erika Priebe – Fox Valley Lutheran

Third Team All State
Annie Balduzzi – Aquinas
Erin Ericson – Onalaska
Gianna Gastrow – Arrowhead
Kate Munro – The Prairie School
Holly Murphy – Badger
Lexi Romero – Brookfield Central
Lauren Shorter – Verona

Honorable Mention All State
Savanna Anderson – Stanley-Boyd
Markie Ash – Waupaca
Jackie Bianchi – Union Grove
Sydney Brandt – Catholic Memorial
Sydney Brown – Eau Claire North
Bailee Bussan – Cuba City
Sophia Dooman – Janesville Parker
Elise Hoven – Cedarburg
Bonnie Jin – Brookfield Central
Rachel Kauflin – Wauwautosa
Lillian Knetter – Madison West
Brooke Knutson – Viroqua
Megan Koch – Union Grove
Madeline Koenig – Kettle Moraine
Ashley Lawler – Racine St. Catherine’s
Kirsten Leonardi – Sussex Hamilton
Kallie Lux – Janesville Craig
Andi McCorkle – Oregon
Kate Meier – Middleton
Emily Neff – Hayward
Klairissa O’Reilly-Dye – Monona Grove
Grace Peterson – Middleton
Skyler Phillips – Arrowhead
Hannah Schulz – Mukwonago
Courtney Shorter – Verona
Sam Soulier – Waunakee
Sydney Steinmetz – Oshkosh West
Sophia Sun – Brookfield Central
Mallory Swartz – Franklin
Aubrie Torhorst – Waterford
Grace Welch – Edgewood
Emma Whitfield – Brookfield Central

Girls Academic All-State

To view the complete list of Academic All-State visit https://golfcoacheswi.org/girls-academic-all-state/ 

Spring Clinic

Mark your calendars!  The Spring clinic will be taking place on Saturday, March 24, 2018 at the Kohl Center in Madison!  Attendees will be treated to several speakers, a fabulous lunch and a tour of the Kohl Center.  The clinic will run from 9:00am to 3:00pm.  Sign-up will be available on the Association website by year-end.

Summer Clinic

Due to the popularity of last years event, we will be returning to Wild Rock GC in the Wisconsin Dells for the Summer Clinic!  The clinic will be held June 19th and 20th.  Stay tuned to our website for more details as they become available.

GCAW Award Winners

Friend of Golf
River Run Maintenance Crew.  Nominated by Sarah Anderson – Sparta H.S.

Fall Board Meeting Minutes