By Casey Curtis
Leader Staff Writer
Like the dinosaurs, it appears golf may become extinct at Oxford High School next year.
With Oxford Schools expecting a $3.5 million shortfall for the 2005-2006 school year, officials have come up with two plans to balance the budget.
Unfortunately, both plans include the elimination of boys and girls varsity and junior varsity golf.
Just this spring, JV girls golf was dropped. And now there could be more cuts.
Of course there has been opposition to this proposed cut. The board of education meeting April 12 showed there was tremendous support for keeping the sport.
‘I was mystified as to why they would cut a varsity program,? said Terry Kelley, girls varsity golf coach for OHS.
Kelley, who has coached at OHS for ten years, said a final decision hasn’t been made and that he understands something has be done to balance the budget.
‘We’re not going to get through this crunch without a little bit of tightening,? he said.
If voters approve the May 3 non-homestead millage increase, the district still needs to make nearly $600,000 in cuts. If the proposal is defeated, cuts will be to the tune of $1.3 million.
Pat Ball, athletic director for OHS, said the school’s budget for athletics is about $630,000. They were asked to cut $50,000 for the 2005-2006 school year. He said the amount they want cut could even jump to $100,000.
Ball said over the past three years the athletic department has been cutting areas like transportation to games and raising ticket prices. He said eliminating one whole sport would have the most minimal impact. ‘It was a tough choice,? he said. ‘This isn’t a happy thing for any of the programs.?
The golf teams account for approximately $15,000 of the school’s budget. The majority of the expense comes from paying the coaches.
Oxford Superintendent Virginia Brennan-Kyro agrees with Ball and said that golf would have the most minimal impact because it is a life long sport that can be learned at anytime in ones life. ‘If you’re going to participate in high school basketball or cross-country, it’s hard to find that someplace else,? she said.
If the millage is not passed, things could get even more drastic with the elimination of all freshman sports.
But Brennan-Kyro said cutting freshman sports would be more beneficial than cutting middle school sports. Because freshman can play on a JV or Varsity team, she said it isn’t taking any opportunities away from them. Cutting middle school sports, however, would leave a gap between then and high school.
‘The notion here is to keep the kids engaged in seventh and eighth grade so they’re only sitting out for one year as opposed to three years,? she said.
1976 OHS alum Pam Phipps, who is a PGA Master Professional, member of the LPGA, and the director of golf at Black Lake Golf Club in Onaway, is also upset with the news.
‘I don’t think I would have the job that I have today if it were not for high school golf,? she said.
Phipps graduated from Ferris State University in the golf program, which was first endorsed by the PGA. She knows she wouldn’t have been able to get into that program without high school golf.
‘I understand they’re under budget restraints, but to cut one program isn’t going to solve their program,? she said. ‘I think it’s the wrong sport to attack.?
Another person confused about the possible elimination of the golf team is OHS alum Todd Bell. Bell graduated in 1981 and said golf is important because it teaches kids life lessons.
‘The honesty, integrity, and discipline of the game all transcend into your life,? he said.
Kelley, Ball, and Bell were all at the board of education meeting when the new budget cuts were released. Amidst concerned parents, coaches, and students was PGA golfer Tommy Gillis. Bell said Gillis spoke highly of the sport and how golf changed his life.
‘People that don’t play golf don’t understand what golf does to your life,? said Bell. ‘Why would we ever want to cut a program that teaches morals to kids??
For those wanting to speak their mind on the subject and offer advice, a golf committee was established and will be meeting Wednesday at 6:30 p.m at OHS.
Brennan-Kyro said she hopes this committee will help in fueling discussion about the subject. ‘I’m willing to sit down and listen to any idea that anyone has for solving this and not impacting our kids,? she said.