USGA TO ADDRESS NEW RULES AT GCAA AND WGCA NATIONAL CONVENTIONS
NORMAN, Okla. – The United States Golf Association (USGA), alongside The R&A, recently announced more than 100 Rules changes that will take place beginning January 1, 2019. To help coaches further understand the new Rules, the USGA will be hosting a “USGA Collegiate Rules of Golf Workshop” at the 2018 GCAA and WGCA convention, in Las Vegas (December 2-5). The workshop will be conducted by USGA staff, led by Thomas Pagel, Senior Director of Rules and Amateur Status. The workshop will also allow attendees to interact and ask questions.
Andrew Sapp, President of the GCAA and head coach for the East Carolina men’s golf team says, “The GCAA and the WGCA, in coordination with the USGA, are offering golf coaches a wonderful opportunity to learn the new 2019 Rules at our annual convention. College golf is going to have some of the first events that fall under these new rules and it will be up to coaches to teach these Rules to our players. The USGA is generous enough to put together this extremely important workshop and we are thankful to them for their support.”
The goal of the workshop is to prepare collegiate coaches for the new Rules as their players will be some of the first players to play competitively under the new changes.
“The WGCA and GCAA are thankful for the support of the USGA for helping us educate our coaches on the new Rules of Golf that go into effect January 2019. College golfers will be playing in some of the first events under the new Rules. The ability to host this workshop at our convention in December is vital in preparing our players for the changes,” said Kristi Knight, head coach for the Kansas State Wildcats women and president of the WGCA.
The workshop will take place over the first two days of the convention. Sunday will feature a four-hour session and Monday will feature a two-hour session.
Coaches who attend will also receive tools to assist their student-athletes in efforts of teaching them the new Rules.
The workshop will be the single most important professional development/educational opportunity a coach can attend, as this is a once in a generation rule modernization. It is recommended that all coaches attend the workshop.
The GCAA is expecting a larger convention attendance this year and has planned with Planet Hollywood to accommodate more coaches for these sessions.
- WGCA/GCAA -
About the WGCA:
The Women’s Golf Coaches Association (WGCA), founded in 1983, is a non-profit organization representing women’s collegiate golf coaches. The WGCA was formed to encourage the playing of college golf for women in correlation with a general objective of education and in accordance with the highest tradition of intercollegiate competition. Today, the WGCA represents over 500 coaches throughout the U.S. and is dedicated to educating, promoting and recognizing both its members and the student-athletes they represent.
GCAA:
Established in 1958, the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) is the professional organization of golf coaches. The GCAA's mission is to support its member coaches by creating educational opportunities, providing resources, and promoting its members with the purpose of enhancing their overall performance as coaches, mentors, and teachers. The GCAA also recognizes the excellence and achievements of its members and their student-athletes in academic, athletic and civic endeavors.