By Linda Cruse
Imagine a change occurring to make our golf course more fun for players, enabling more Lake Quivira members to enjoy the game of golf. Imagine no longer, because that change has already taken place.
Lake Quivira has joined a national movement to make golf more fun. Called “Tee it Forward,” the program was initiated by the PGA and USGA.
Tom Aikmus, head golf professional, said the program involves adding a set of forward tees to the existing holes. To date, eight forward tees have been added and the goal is for all holes to eventually feature four sets of tees. “Playing the correct yardage on each hole will create a more enjoyable experience,” Tom said. “When you have a chance to make a birdie or par on each hole, the game is more fun.”
Tom said the program evolved because the game of golf is losing players at a rapid rate. While the economy is one factor, another is that golf is a challenging, time-consuming sport. “If it’s too challenging and frustrating, people don’t play,” Tom said.
Tom said that the PGA and USGA initiated the program to help golfers have more fun on the course and enhance their overall experience by playing from a set of tees best suited to their abilities. Warren McCamish, QMGA president and a member of the Lake Quivira Golf Committee, said the committee “whole-heartedly supports the program. The goal is to put more fun back into the game of golf so that more people will play.”
Warren said that idea is to add tees that take into consideration the length of the holes and then make them accessible to any player, including men, women and junior players. “The course is going to be re-rated with each tee rated for men and for women,” he said. “That way anyone can play from any set of tees and it won’t impact their handicap. Handicaps will remain the same.”
Until the course is re-rated, players can use the tees but can’t turn in their scores, Tom said. Warren encouraged all players to use the new tees. “When people try it they really enjoy it,” he said. “We encourage people to keep an open mind and give them a try.”
Here are some questions and answers from Tom and Warren regarding the program.
How did the Tee it Forward process evolve at Lake Quivira? Many Lake Quivira members worked countless hours over the past few years to develop the program, including the Golf Committee comprised of John Hoover, Associate Member Director (off-lake member representative) and Chairman of the Golf Committee.; QMGA members Warren McCamish, Jim Wicke and Dave Jones; QWGA members Pat Lee, Martha Voight and Lauren White; and at-large members Betsy Vossman, Don Cox and Ed Markley.
Studying the issue and providing recommendations were members of the pro shop staff, golf course maintenance staff and a volunteer committee comprised of John Hoover, Warren McCamish, Ed Markley, Dave Jones and Don Cox. The groups studied each hole independently and then combined the recommendations. There was consensus among the groups regarding the final plan.
Who should use the new set of tees? Once the course is re-rated, anyone can turn in their score from any set of tees–forward, intermediate, back and championship (exact names and/or numbering for the tees have not been determined). The course will be re-rated for both men and women from each set of tees, so entering your score from a particular set of tees won’t impact your handicap. The USGA Slope and Course Rating systems provide a lower slope and course rating from shorter tees.
Will using the new tees adversely impact players’ handicaps or put them at a disadvantage when playing other courses? No, because handicaps won’t change.
How will the new tees benefit different groups of players? Seniors will benefit from using the new tees, because both men and women senior players lose distance over time. They can move forward to enjoy a golf course more suited to their length. Juniors will benefit from the forward tees because it will allow them to play a less intimidating golf course. They can move back to other tees as their game progresses. Beginning players won’t find the game as challenging and can also move back to other tees as their game improves. Additionally, nine-hole women who want to play 18 holes will find that option more appealing with the addition of forward tees.
How will other players benefit? Increased variety. Using different tees will create a new golf experience for all levels of golfers, Warren said. “Using the same clubs in the same way on every hole can get boring,” he said. “Using different tees enables you to use different clubs, your ball will end up in different places and you will have an entirely new golf experience.”
How will forward tees impact the speed of play? Having players use tees best suited to their abilities will speed up the pace of play, providing a more enjoyable experience for everyone.
The Golf Committee is really enthusiastic about the program,” Warren said. “The hardest part will be changing people’s mindset so that they don’t view a particular set of tees as just for women or men. The tees are designed to help everyone better enjoy the game of golf.”
So, if you haven’t seen the new tees or tried the new golf experience that they provide, visit the course soon and “Tee it Forward.” You might find the game of golf to be more fun!
