The Iola High School boys and girls golf teams are actively raising money for a device they believe will create a new fervor for one of the world’s most popular sports.
As part of their $14,000 fundraising goal, IHS golfers are raising money for a golf simulator — offering year-round skill development for future, current and still active IHS golf alumni.
“It will be for the middle school team, the high school team — both boys and girls — plus alumni,” Iola coach Jeremy Sellman said.
“The main goal is to get this for dead seasons. Boys golf starts in the spring, but you have November, December and January, where you’re not going to play a lot of golf because of the conditions and the turf being dry.”
Once purchased, Sellman said a professional installer will place it in the old IHS weight room, which currently serves as a storage room for team equipment. With the district relocating the sports equipment to its recently opened indoor practice facility, that frees up space for a golf simulator.
“This will give them an opportunity to come in and spend an hour out of their evening to swing some clubs and elevate their game,” Sellman said.
Along with simulating conditions in particular areas of interest, the simulator can recreate entire courses from some of the world’s most exclusive clubs. In fact, players can compete against other players from around the world or even teams specifically geared to playing on simulated courses.
“There are tournaments you can get into and play up to eight people per round,” Sellman said. “It’s a real golf course. St. Andrews is a popular one. You can play at St. Andrews at any time. But that’s the fun side of it.”
Instead of a limited amount of time at the Allen County Country Club during practice, Sellman said the golf simulator, which cost between $10,000 and $15,000, would allow him to evaluate a player’s swing to the exact degree. He can also detect issues in how players hold the club and placement of the club’s face in the follow through of a swing.
“You can look at the swing path, the impact position, club face, club angle — diving into the technical side of spin rate and launch angles,” Sellman said. “The more swings you can make, then the better you’re going to be. It’s no different than baseball and batting practice.”
While the high school and middle school programs will get a first look at the simulator, Sellman said it’s for all youth golfers.
The Allen County Country Club provides IHS and IMS access to its course throughout the year, but that access has a limit when it comes to prioritizing tee times. With the simulator, there are no limits as long as the player waits his or her turn.
“My goal for this is to use it to bring up some of the next players and work with younger players in grade school and middle school,” Sellman said. “They will be able to come in, improve their game and be competitive in high school and even in middle school.”
Sellman said the IHS and IMS golf teams do not have any events planned, yet, but those interested in making a donation can do so by going to the district website and clicking on the My School Bucks link.
People can also pay in person at the district office, 305 N. Washington Ave.
“Even if it takes us five years, it is what it is, but that’s the future,” Sellman said. “The build cost will be minimal. We’re going to do the construction side of it. The only thing I won’t do is that actual installation.
