{"id":12460,"date":"2018-03-22T10:08:24","date_gmt":"2018-03-22T15:08:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/update.midlandps.org\/?p=12460"},"modified":"2018-03-22T11:54:20","modified_gmt":"2018-03-22T16:54:20","slug":"swinging-into-spring","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/update.midlandps.org\/index.php\/2018\/03\/swinging-into-spring\/","title":{"rendered":"New golf coaches swing into spring"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Douglas<\/a>
Douglas Bradford
Varsity boys golf coach<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Coach Douglas Bradford stands under the awning at Mid-Michigan Golf Center with his winter coat zipped all the way and a winter hat covering most of his head. As he observes a golfer trying out for the team, he keeps his hands hidden in his pockets to avoid the cold. A chilly breeze leaves a nip in the air. He turns and talks to the JV coaches and they all have a smile on their faces, despite the dreary weather.<\/span><\/p>\n

Although the spring sports season starts on March 12, Mother Nature is not always too empathetic. This makes it difficult for sports like golf to hold their tryouts and for coaches to evaluate the athletes\u2019 skills. However, thanks to the Mid-Michigan Golf Center\u2019s heated range, the varsity boys golf team is able to hold their tryouts.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\"Douglas<\/a>
Douglas Bradford<\/strong>
Swings: Right-handed<\/strong>
Favorite Course: The Emerald St. Johns, Michigan<\/strong>
Best Score for 18 holes: Approximately 70<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After college, Bradford began golfing with some basketball coaches he knew and golfed almost every day over the summers. Coach Mark Pickering is stepping down from the varsity coach position this year. As a 20-year JV boys golf coach and an 8-year varsity girls golf coach, it made sense for Bradford to step into the new role available in the boys golf program.<\/span><\/p>\n

Although Bradford now has the reins of the program, he doesn\u2019t plan on changing a whole lot.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Pickering had a really really successful program for years and years,\u201d Bradford said. \u201cHopefully we just continue to do basically the same stuff. I\u2019ll look to Coach Pickering for a lot of guidance like I always have.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Bradford isn\u2019t too nervous for the season, as he is coming into the role with a seasoned veteran attitude. One thing he is excited about is to see is how his players grow.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou should look where you are at the start of the season and then progress and get better,\u201d Bradford said. \u201cSometimes you\u2019re starting a little lower and then working your way up and sometimes you\u2019re starting already at a high level and your growth is smaller. But your hope is they get better both physically and mentally.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Lacking a JV coach, Bradford began to search for a qualified candidate for the job and found two. There are new faces to the JV coaching staff. Coaches Alex Karapas and Matthew Schurman will be co-coaching the JV team for the forthcoming season and both have plenty of experience.<\/span><\/p>\n