Introduction:
We, the undersigned, call upon the Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) to reconsider the recent decision to move 1A, 2A, and 3A boys’ golf from the spring to the fall season. This change imposes significant challenges on student-athletes, especially those from small schools where tennis is not offered and where many athletes participate in both football and golf.

Reasons for Maintaining Spring Golf:
1. Dual-Sport Participation: Many students at 1A, 2A, and 3A schools love both football and golf. Moving golf to the fall forces them to choose between the two, diminishing their athletic experiences.

2.  Limited Tennis Programs:  The justification for this change was to separate tennis and golf seasons, but many 1A, 2A, and 3A schools do not offer tennis. In fact, over 70% of the smaller classes do NOT have Tennis as an available program.  This decision thus does not benefit a large portion of student-athletes in these smaller schools.

3.  Impact on Team Participation: Small schools often rely on multi-sport athletes to fill out teams. By moving golf to the fall, many schools may struggle to field complete golf teams, hindering participation and competitive balance.

4. Tradition and Competitive Fairness: Spring golf has a long-standing tradition, allowing athletes to compete in ideal weather conditions without conflicting with other major sports like football. Moving it to the fall disrupts this balance and negatively impacts the student-athlete experience.

5. Golf Course Maintenance:  Many small-town golf courses do not maintain and upkeep into October. Additionally, leaf litter from surrounding trees can accumulate quickly, requiring constant upkeep. These factors make fall a less ideal time for consistent course quality, which could impact the playing experience for student-athletes.

6.  Impact on Golf Course Availability and Member Satisfaction:  In addition to the concerns already mentioned, it’s important to consider the impact on golf courses that are also used for cross country meets in the fall. Most of the golf courses will now have high school golf utilizing its course for 5-6 months of the year. This extended use will likely lead to increased traffic and more frequent course closures, which may not be well received by club members and the broader community.

Call to Action:
We respectfully request that the IHSAA reconsider this decision and keep 1A, 2A, and 3A boys’ golf in the spring, where it has traditionally belonged. This will ensure that our student-athletes have the opportunity to participate in multiple sports without unnecessary conflict, preserving the integrity and inclusivity of high school athletics in Iowa.