Monterey Peninsula and Reno. The “out-of-con- ference” schedule, with alternating stops, includes courses like Yocha Dehe, Wente Vineyards, Hid- denbrooke, Saddle Creek, San Juan Oaks and Poppy Hills, among others. The main event, a two-round club championship, also alternates locations, with this season’s championship at Bayonet and Black Horse. An array of sports are
Associate Club Focus
When coaches get together, the result is generally a fun but highly competitive atmosphere, whether they’re watching sports or watching television. And when Koaches—don’t tell these guys they spelled it wrong—get together the result is much the same.
W
hether their day job entails time on the
fi eld, the diamond, the court, the pool or even the golf course, the common thread of coming together to enjoy a round of golf has kept this small but stout associate club going strong for more than 16 years. “Coaches are competitive
people,” says club presi- dent Rich Botelho. “That was kind of the underlying philosophy in developing our club in the fi rst place, to have competitive tournaments that are friendly.” If you look at the
Koaches’ tournament schedule, which runs from March to October and totals 12 events a season, you see a resemblance to the profession that drives the membership. The “offseason” coincides with Botelho’s own sport of choice, basketball. Though retired, as are many of the other coaches that
comprise the club, the ath- letic calendar still infl uences the golf calendar. Tourna- ment dates are set well in advance so these men can work around their school and sports schedules more easily. Membership comes from
throughout the region, from Sacramento to Salinas, with a concentration in the Tri-Valley area. And like many sports
schedules, tournament “op- ponents,” or courses, rotate yearly, generally with at least a year between facilities.
NCGA MEMBER
ADVANTAGE AMERICAN AIRLINES
One of the most lucrative NCGA member benefi ts is a 10% discount off your next trip with American Airlines. This offer is valid for travel to/from any destina- tion worldwide. This exclusive discount may be used once for ticket purchases made before November 22, 2012, for travel between now and December 1, 2012. The discount
may be used for up to six passengers traveling together on a single pur- chase. This exclusive promotion code may be used seasonally, and must be booked and purchased on
AA.com. There is a $250 minimum fare to secure the discount. So if you have a last-minute trip and want to save enough money for several NCGA memberships, use your NCGA-member American Airlines discount.
FALL 2012 /
NCGA.ORG / 31
The “preseason,” as we’ll call it, has some of the most spirited golf of the year as members attempt to earn the Koaches’ qualifying spot in NCGA tournament play. “The early tournaments
each year bring out our competitive side,” Botelho says with a chuckle. “Our qualifying spots are highly contested.” “In-conference” oppo-
nents, or those that see the Koaches on a more regular basis, include Poppy Ridge, and courses on the
represented by the mem- bers, including football, basketball, badminton, baseball, volleyball and—of course— golf. You can fi nd these men on the side- lines of high school games, community college athletic events or even Division I sporting events. Outside the golf course, this fraternity of coaches supports each other in the trade, attending games and giving advice to those still in the coaching ranks. “We might not be able
to give advice on the course, but we trade tips and stories about coaching all the time,” Botelho says. “But on the course, that’s a different story—the rules are the rules.” Despite coming from
all walks of sport, and some- times competing against one another professionally, this thriving associate club is bonded by a unifying activity—golf. And staunchly defending their spelling skills.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76