Call me Coach

I thought Ken was joking when he told me that I should be his assistant coach. I have never coached anything before, and I didn't play a college sport so I didn't think I was qualified. After I realized he wasn't joking, I told him I would do it, BUT, he would have to get me some kind of F&M gear that said "Coach" on it. Priorities. I got to meet a few of the girls in the spring of 2018 before I officially became a coach, and I got to play a few rounds with one of the girls who was in the area doing a research project over the summer. After a bunch of background tests and getting finger printed, I was officially added as the assistant coach! To be honest, I was a little worried that I wouldn't be a good coach, and I was scared that the girls wouldn't like me. For most of my life, I haven't really ever been the kind of person that people see and say "she seems so nice!". I do suffer from resting bitch face, and in situations where I'm meeting new people and I feel nervous, I don't always talk so people have thought that I am being snobby. It may sound ridiculous, but when I was in middle/high school and college, I always felt like the odd man out in groups of friends and that feeling comes back sometimes when I'm meeting a new group of people.

The first practice I went to, I just stood there too scared to say anything or give any advice. Luckily, the girls are more outgoing than me and starting talking. We have just completed the fall season and I am so glad that I had this opportunity. I am looking forward to the spring season... minus the cold weather and wind that usually comes along with the spring months. I have nowhere near the amount of technical knowledge that Ken has, but I try to help the girls whenever they need it. During matches the best thing to do is help them not get in their own heads and overthink things. I usually rotate through walking a few holes with each girl and my goal is usually to help them stay focused and positive. It also has the added bonus of getting me out of the house and giving me some exercise. Oh, and I also make sure the "mom bag" is fully stocked with crackers, trail mix, apples, various snacks and extra golf balls, I of course have turned everyone into Cinnaholic addicts with me, so I usually get a small tray of goodies for the drive.

Something that I have really enjoyed is getting to know each of the girls one on one. In the golf matches, they are never in the same pairings, so when I walk with them, we have time to chat and I get to see their unique personalities. One of the girls even told me she sees me as an older sister, which meant so much to me. When I was talking to one of the girls about her major (Economics) and what classes she's in, we figured out that she has a professor that I had years ago at LVC. Small world! It might sound corny, but coaching has been a great learning experience for me as well and I'm pretty sure that is what Ken had in mind when he asked me to coach. I love all of the girls, and they (I think!) love me too. Go Diplomats - Jamila, Maddy, Ember, Megan, Olivia & Kristie!