ROCKINGHAM — For the first time in his tenure as Richmond Senior High School’s head golf coach, Keith Parsons will get the opportunity to coach the boys’ and girls’ teams at the same time.
And according to the third-year head coach, it’s the right call and a task he’s looking to take on.
The North Carolina High School Athletic Association moved the girls’ golf season from the fall to the spring, pairing it with the boys’ season in an announcement earlier this month.
The decision was part of an unprecedented sports calendar overhaul by the NCHSAA to try and give each of its sanctioned athletic programs a chance to play during the coronavirus pandemic.
Last spring, the Raider golf team was the only of Richmond’s seven spring programs not to participate in any scheduled events when the dead period went into effect on March 13.
“I applaud the High School Athletic Association for working to make sure every sport has a spot in the calendar,” Parsons, a business teacher at Richmond, said. “I wouldn’t want to be the one making those decisions.
“Having the boys and girls playing at the same time will be interesting, and I look forward to hearing how they are putting it together.”
In the new sports calendar, boys’ and girls’ golf will open its practice schedule on March 1. Matches will begin March 15 and run through April 30, with a total of 14 possible contests allowed. Golfers can compete in up to two matches per week, according to the NCHSAA.
Unlike past seasons, the Raider and Lady Raider golfers will be competing during the same season. It is unclear yet how matches will be run, whether both teams will golf on the same or subsequent days.
The new look will give Parsons a chance to build both programs at the same time, a convenience otherwise not had during multiple golf seasons.
“Having us all together will be fun,” Parsons shared. “We have small rosters, so it will be great having more players at the course and driving range.
“I would imagine we will see players from both teams helping each other and learning from each other.”
The boys’ team is headlined by rising senior Jonathan Rich and rising junior Ethan Brown, both staples of the program the last several years. Rich, who takes lessons in Pinehurst, qualified for the 4A Midwest Regionals as a sophomore in 2019.
Parsons noted that Rich and Brown have been in touch over the summer, playing in a “handful of tournaments.” He said each golfer’s individual game should be improved from where they left off two seasons ago.
“Ethan was our most improved player last spring before we were shut down, working his way into the top five,” Parsons explained. “Jaxon Mabe (senior) and Ayden Mabe (sophomore) continually are working on their games, and I expect big things from them next season.”
ROSports File Photo: Jonathan Rich drives the ball during a match from the 2019 season.
The Lady Raiders will be without three-time state qualifier Hailey Miller, who graduated in 2020. There are also some potential scheduling conflicts with current golfers who play other spring sports, but Parsons said he’s received word from interested golfers who otherwise couldn’t play during the fall season.
With no official high school golf practices for roughly seven months, Parsons is continuing to encourage both teams during the current hiatus.
“I simply have advised everyone to work on her or his game as much as possible,” Parsons said. “Now is the time to get better, not when the season starts.
“Although we aren’t having organized workouts, all of them have the opportunity to practice at our home course of Foxfire, and I expect those who take advantage of it will be among our top players next season.”
Local golf courses, including Foxfire, have remained open during the pandemic. Rich, who hopes to play collegiate golf, has continued to take lessons, while several of Parsons’ golfers have met up and played practice rounds in recent months.
As high school student-athletes and coaches continue to adapt to the new restrictions put in place, Parsons anticipates his golfers won’t lose too much from their swings with the new combined season.
“For the boys, it will be the same schedule, simply shortened. The girls likely will enjoy some cooler weather, since they normally start in late summer when the temperatures can reach nearly 100 degrees.
“Depending on how matches work – are we playing together, will we play nine holes only – might lead to more adjustments. I don’t think anyone will be adversely affected by the changes.”
At this time, NCHSAA commissioner Que Tucker and the Sports Medicine Advisory Committee (SMAC) haven’t released any details as to how the dual golf season will work.
“I encourage everyone to wear a mask and to follow the guidelines set by our governor and the experts in Washington, D.C.,” Parsons closed. “The sooner we all do what we can, the sooner life and sports will return to normal.
“I can’t wait to have a group of golfers on a bus heading to practice. Unfortunately, all I can do is my part, and I have to rely on others to do the same. Hopefully, everybody does that.”
