Varsity
Jeff Clarke, Boys’ Head Coach
Paul Clavel, Girls’ Head Coach

Junior Varsity
TBA, Head Coach

Golf Program (Boys and Girls) FAQs

The following question/answer format is intended to introduce you to the Golf Program at Blair; the questions that are presented are the ones I’ve found raised most often by prospective students who are considering golf at Blair Academy.  

When does the golf season begin/end?
The golf season begins immediately upon our return from spring vacation; this is on or about March 31. The season ends about May 16.

Is experience necessary?
Yes, you must know the fundamentals of golf and be able to play consistently at 110 or better for 18 holes in order to try out for the JV level. The Varsity level players usually average around 84 strokes per 18 holes as a team. Of course the scores quoted here are true medal scores which are arrived at while playing under competitive conditions and applying standard USGA rules.  

What is the format of team matches?
Each match consists of playing our best six players against our opponent’s six players. We play a nine hole medal round and sum each team’s best five scores in order to determine the winning team.  

How often does the team practice?
Regular practice occurs for two hours Monday through Friday during the late afternoon. Three hours of practice are required on each weekend of the season; however, each player may arrange with the coach as to when and where they would like to do this practice.

Is there a preseason program?
During the fall term golf can be elected by students as an afternoon activity. This is frequently done by either the advanced golfer or by intermediate golfers wanting to improve their games. No official matches are played with other schools and limited instruction is offered to the intermediate level player in this fall recreational program.  

What is involved in a typical team practice?
Usually you would be asked to play a nine hole medal round which will take about one hour and 30 minutes. This would be followed by, or possibly preceded by, a 30 minute shag ball session working on various aspects of the “short game.” The “short game” is roughly defined here as any shot encountered from 100 yards or less to the hole. A great deal of emphasis is placed on putting and short chipping.  

How many dual matches are played during the season?
Usually there are about 18 total matches played.  

Are there opportunities to practice on my own?
You will be encouraged to practice on your own if your academic standing permits. As you may know, Blair has its own beautiful nine hole course on the immediate campus, a mere 30 yards from the physics lab where your coach spends the rest of his day. This course offers a wonderful array of challenging shots and, of course, the resulting frustrations as well: if you are like me, you will never really master it - but it certainly is fun trying!  

I’ve heard about the England trip, what is this about?
Since 1967 Blair and the representative prep school in England have been the host schools for an exchange golf program during the summer of each year. On odd numbered years the English side fields a prep school team of eight golfers and visits the top courses on the east coast of the U.S. as scheduled by Blair’s coordinator Mr. Wayne Rasmussen. On even numbered years Blair fields a team that tours England for three weeks beginning in late June. We play approximately 20 of the finest courses in England, Scotland, and Wales and stay at host families of the English players whom we play or who may have made the trip to the U.S. previously. The eight player team that travels to England includes the golfers who qualify from the Blair Varsity Team and other fine prep school golfers who are selected by Blair.  

How would I get more information about the golf program at Blair?
Please feel free to contact me at any time during the year. I would be delighted to talk to you on the phone, or better yet, we could arrange for you to bring your clubs in order that we could play a few holes and talk on the course. I look forward to hearing from you.  

Andrew Sykes
(908) 362-2019
sykesa@blair.edu
Varsity Golf Coach

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