Covering a golf tournament.. help!

[nmmetsfan]

With my game they call 1-under-par a pipe dream

 

[TwoGloves]

The more I think about it, the most important part of covering a high school event is doing your homework. Know who the top teams and players are and then you'll have your story when the scores come in if somebody comes out of nowhere to win or if a favorite lives up to its/their billing.

 

[Angola!]

The more I think about it, the most important part of covering a high school event is doing your homework. Know who the top teams and players are and then you'll have your story when the scores come in if somebody comes out of nowhere to win or if a favorite lives up to its/their billing.

While I agree with a lot of what you're saying, I disagree when you say he shouldn't go out on the course.

If you figure an 18-hole round with five or more teams will take at least 5 hours, then you show up an hour or two in and cruise around.

I've just never bought into the show up with one hour left and sit in the clubhouse.

Sports writers aren't allowed to write on games they don't see in other sports, so why is it suddenly acceptable in golf to sit in the clubhouse and never go out on the course?

Not trying to rip you TwoGloves, this is just one of my pet peeves.

 

[PeteyPirate]

The more I think about it, the most important part of covering a high school event is doing your homework. Know who the top teams and players are and then you'll have your story when the scores come in if somebody comes out of nowhere to win or if a favorite lives up to its/their billing.

While I agree with a lot of what you're saying, I disagree when you say he shouldn't go out on the course.

If you figure an 18-hole round with five or more teams will take at least 5 hours, then you show up an hour or two in and cruise around.

I've just never bought into the show up with one hour left and sit in the clubhouse.

Sports writers aren't allowed to write on games they don't see in other sports, so why is it suddenly acceptable in golf to sit in the clubhouse and never go out on the course?

Not trying to rip you TwoGloves, this is just one of my pet peeves.

I get your point, but unless he knows who the leaders are and they happen to all be playing in the same group, chances are he's going to be writing about a lot of stuff he didn't see even if he goes out on the course.

 

[whatwoulddamondo?]

I get your point, but unless he knows who the leaders are and they happen to all be playing in the same group, chances are he's going to be writing about a lot of stuff he didn't see even if he goes out on the course.

true, but if he never goes out on the course, he isn't able to even describe the holes or use what he sees out there ("hey, no. 10 has a nasty bunker but you still birdied....how did you avoid it?") to open up some lines of questioning.

 

[Bullwinkle]

true, but if he never goes out on the course, he isn't able to even describe the holes or use what he sees out there ("hey, no. 10 has a nasty bunker but you still birdied....how did you avoid it?") to open up some lines of questioning.

The bunker on No. 10 isn't even in play!

 

[Angola!]

I get your point, but unless he knows who the leaders are and they happen to all be playing in the same group, chances are he's going to be writing about a lot of stuff he didn't see even if he goes out on the course.

true, but if he never goes out on the course, he isn't able to even describe the holes or use what he sees out there ("hey, no. 10 has a nasty bunker but you still birdied....how did you avoid it?") to open up some lines of questioning.

Exactly, plus the rounds take so long, you can skip around the course and watch each group play a couple of holes. Or just sit near one green, where you can see the kids approach and see the next tee shot. Then wait for your kids to go through.

I agree, he's going to have to write about some stuff he didn't see, but if he is out on the course he at least could see the shot of the day.

Hell, one of my favorite golf stories I wrote wouldn't have happened if I hadn't been out on the course.

Basically our school had this one hole where they combined to shoot 7-over. On that same hole, one of the player's boyfriends was bitten by a snake.

There was my lede.

 

[JakeandElwood]

Watch for a couple of hours, try to see if anyone is doing especially well then go to the scoring area so you won't miss any players.

 

[Angola!]

Watch for a couple of hours, try to see if anyone is doing especially well then go to the scoring area so you won't miss any players.

That sums my post up a little tighter than I wrote it.

 

[pressboxer]

I've covered an average of six tournaments a year for the past five years or so, from high school and summer juniors to college to amateur to Nationwide Tour. The only times I've ever gone out on the course was for playoffs (had a three-team playoff once upon a time in a high school event).

Like many have pointed out, hang around the scoreboard, especially if you also have to punch in all the scores, and get a look at the leaders' cards when they come in (locals as well if you're focusing on one or two teams). You won't need much play-by-play if it's a team event, but it's always nice to have a few tidbits like Joe Bob birdied the seventh after he dropped a wedge from 120 yards to within eight feet, or Jim Bob fell out of contention when his tee shot on No. 14 hit the water on the left side of the fairway.

Most high schoolers won't be keeping up with info like GIR, but I've gotten a few who let me know they needed only 27 putts to get through the round.

Basically, just ask somebody what happened.

 

[Jay Sherman]

Update: The tournament was a success. I showed up at the beginning (d'oh, rookie mistake) and drove a cart around for a while after getting the rosters/pairings. However, it was nearly impossible to figure out what hole these pairings would be on because they all started on different holes (obviously).

I realized I could show up a few hours later and get the same work done. I rarely had an opportunity to follow a group through a hole because each hole took so long and I didn't want to be in the way. I spoke to the three teams we covered (they finished 3rd, 6th and 7th out of seven teams) and their coaches and top performers, as well as the top overall individual performer (a pre-pubescent kid who shot a 74).

Thanks for the tips all, it seems that next time I'll do much of the same but show up much later.

 

[Stitch]

Weird that they didn't list the holes for the shotgun start.

 

[TwoGloves]

The more I think about it, the most important part of covering a high school event is doing your homework. Know who the top teams and players are and then you'll have your story when the scores come in if somebody comes out of nowhere to win or if a favorite lives up to its/their billing.

I've just never bought into the show up with one hour left and sit in the clubhouse.

Sports writers aren't allowed to write on games they don't see in other sports, so why is it suddenly acceptable in golf to sit in the clubhouse and never go out on the course?

Not trying to rip you TwoGloves, this is just one of my pet peeves.

Golf is an entirely different animal. I wouldn't say I just sit in the clubhouse. While near the scoreboard, I write down every kids name from every school so I have every score. We publish them all so all the kids get their names in the agate. I also talk to the coaches to find out what's been going on with their teams. And honestly, you have no idea who's shooting what on which hole at any given time so it's virtually impossible to "cover" the entire field since they're spread out all over the course. It's not like a basketball or baseball or football game where all of the action is right in front of you. If a kid gets a hole-in-one, do you not write about it because you didn't happen to be right there to see it?

 

[Jay Sherman]

Weird that they didn't list the holes for the shotgun start.

They did, but by the time I had pairings and rosters written down, they were on different holes and I didn't know any of the kids, so I was sort of lost on who was who after that.

 

[Angola!]

The more I think about it, the most important part of covering a high school event is doing your homework. Know who the top teams and players are and then you'll have your story when the scores come in if somebody comes out of nowhere to win or if a favorite lives up to its/their billing.

I've just never bought into the show up with one hour left and sit in the clubhouse.

Sports writers aren't allowed to write on games they don't see in other sports, so why is it suddenly acceptable in golf to sit in the clubhouse and never go out on the course?

Not trying to rip you TwoGloves, this is just one of my pet peeves.

Golf is an entirely different animal. I wouldn't say I just sit in the clubhouse. While near the scoreboard, I write down every kids name from every school so I have every score. We publish them all so all the kids get their names in the agate. I also talk to the coaches to find out what's been going on with their teams. And honestly, you have no idea who's shooting what on which hole at any given time so it's virtually impossible to "cover" the entire field since they're spread out all over the course. It's not like a basketball or baseball or football game where all of the action is right in front of you. If a kid gets a hole-in-one, do you not write about it because you didn't happen to be right there to see it?

OK, I was a bit too literal in my comparisons.

Obviously, you can't see everything that is played on the course, I just don't understand the mindset of hanging in the clubhouse and not even trying to watch any of the tournament.

At the lower levels, where you can get a cart, you should definitely be out on the course following your kids, etc.

And talking to the coach is an excellent idea.

I tend to go find the No. 1s from my schools that are expected to do something and follow them. Then I talk to parents/coaches/groupies to find out if any of the lesser players are having a really good round and I might go watch them for a hole or two.

I understand the typing in agate thing, but that's not an excuse I can buy to sit in the clubhouse. Track and Field has just as much if not more agate, but that doesn't mean I'm going to sit in the press box the entire time.

 

[trifectarich]

Next time you cover a tournament, you need to have a different goal: getting to know the head professional so he invites you out to play.

 

[TwoGloves]

Next time you cover a tournament, you need to have a different goal: getting to know the head professional so he invites you out to play.

Solid advice. There's not much else anyone can to add this thread after that gem.

 

[Rhody31]

Next time you cover a tournament, you need to have a different goal: getting to know the head professional so he invites you out to play.

Solid advice. There's not much else anyone can to add this thread after that gem.

I cover most of the state events here and one of the volunteers works in the pro shop.
Today he walks up, we chat for a bit and part. As he's walking, he turns around and says "Rhody, any time you want to play, just give me a call in the pro shop."

Ding. Ding.

 

[HanSenSE]

Bumping this since I have a freeelance gig covering the Champions tour this weekend. Know the basics, of course, but never covered any golf at this level.

First tee time is 7:30 a.m. Don't think I have to be there from the start on the second day, do I? I like the idea of hanging near the scoreboard and tracking the key players. On Sunday, I may follow the last group around. Know Golf Channel will be there and will likely be able to see any key replays. OTOH, Daly's entered, so who knows what will happen.

Opening the floor to the collective wisdom (and collective wiseguys and gals) of this humble forum.

 

[Michael_ Gee]

Bumping this since I have a freeelance gig covering the Champions tour this weekend. Know the basics, of course, but never covered any golf at this level.

First tee time is 7:30 a.m. Don't think I have to be there from the start on the second day, do I? I like the idea of hanging near the scoreboard and tracking the key players. On Sunday, I may follow the last group around. Know Golf Channel will be there and will likely be able to see any key replays. OTOH, Daly's entered, so who knows what will happen.

Opening the floor to the collective wisdom (and collective wiseguys and gals) of this humble forum.

Get there as early as possible every day. Parking!! Traffic!!! First day, walk the course as much as possible, check the scoreboards, pick a player to focus on. Whatever. Second day, focus more on end of the day scores. Third day. Game's over. You know how to write a game that's over.