We are almost through the first week of spring practice and things are off to a great start. In my first season here at Long Beach State, I am thankful I have a small team of guys to work with (6 to be exact). I have experienced team’s as large as 15 (Duke) and team’s as small as 5 (Duke as well, long story)…but having six here at LB it’s great to really learn about these guys in great detail in our first season together.
We played 9 holes at Virginia yesterday and looked incredibly sharp. The short games were solid, touch on the greens looked better than I ever remembered seeing it in the fall, and most importantly they looked fresh. This is something as a coach I really want to be conscious of this spring. These guys have a lot going on as student-athletes these days…School, Golf, Workouts, team meetings, community service, travel…I mean it hardly leaves time for anything else, but this team has accepted that and they are committed to doing this gig and doing it great.
We have designed some solid workout plans for each guy this week. Each player is going to be on a different plan this spring based on our collaboration. Phil and I have been working hard on his wheel, specifically his diet and workouts. What I am most excited for in Phil’s plan is his eagerness to track his practice plans, workouts, and eating habits so we can look back after Nationals and see what was most successful for him.
The goal is to start to play more golf courses in the area…This spring in addition to Virginia CC, we will be playing Sea Cliffs CC as well as Industry Hills. I am extremely excited to be adding these 3 great tracks to our plate…I have always been a huge fan of Industry, I think those two courses could be two of the best in California…so tough and a great challenge for our guys. Can’t wait to get out to Sea Cliffs and Industry. The staff and members at these courses have been phenomenal and we can’t thank them enough for their generosity in having us out.
The Thursday practice at El Dorado was solid. After a below average day with the wedges inside 120 at Virginia, the guys spent some solid time grinding their wedges. Our wedge green at El Do is probably my favorite aspect of that practice facility, I am glad to see the boys grinding it out on one of the most important aspects of the game.
Tomorrow we will tee it at VCC in the AM. We will be starting a season long intersquad competition. The winner (both individually and team games) each day will earn points toward a year end prize…Should be exciting and fun to follow…I will keep you updated as the season progressed.
On a lighter note, today was highlighted by possibly the worst two outfits I have seen in a few years…and the peeps we hang around can throw some wild stuff out there…but Raymond and Austin take the cake with these two clown outfits today…Let’s go gents, pack your golf clothes with the lights on next time.
That’s it for now! More updates to come soon. Check back this weekend as I will have an update from a joint community service project. All the LA Area colleges are working together on a First Tee project for some junior golfers…should be sweet, time to give a little back!
WNLB? Peace.
Ressa
