Bourbon Board of Education directors on Sept. 18 approved bringing back a district golf team after a parent requested the board consider the topic last month. The team would practice at the Holiday Ranch Golf Club in Cuba, which would also serve as the home course.

Board President Jason Gobin said he has been contacted by several parents since last month’s meeting inquiring about the possibility of bringing back the golf team. He asked if the district had put out a poll or made any inquiries about how many students were interested in joining.

Superintendent Brian Witt said he was not sure if there was a poll or survey sent out, but Athletic Director Devon Payne has been actively working on the steps necessary to ensure a team could be added to competitive play in the conference as well as what would be needed for any students qualifying for state competitions.

For the first year, he said, girls and boys would play on the same team and should a girl qualify for state, she would have to hit from the same tee boxes as boys.

“The spring season is for men, but it is allowed to treat it as a co-ed season,” Witt told the board. "This means girls can participate in the season. They must hit from the men’s tee box.”

The estimated cost to the district would be $2,000 for equipment, $500 for uniforms and polos, admission fees are $300, a coaching stipend of $3,900, and tournament fees of $1,600, totaling $8,300.

“The golf program will use the Cuba golf course as its home course and will practice there for free during the season. We will also utilize high school campuses for practices,” Witt said.

There would be three conference meets and three non-conference meets, along with district and state meets. Transportation would not be provided by the district for the upcoming season.

“We’ve had two parents offer to drive the team, but we can’t do it under the school, saying it is a school-provided ride,” Gobin said.

Witt told the board Bourbon would model its policy after the one used by the Cuba School District, which also requires its team to provide transportation to all practices and meets.

“I know it’s a greater distance (to get to practices than other sports). They are either on the service road I-44,” Witt said. “I think it would be next to impossible, though, to say we are going to add a bus route at that time when all routes are going out.”

Board member Marty de la Torre said he would like to see the district offer a golf team, as it might allow students who would not otherwise play a sport or join an activity with another option.

“Golf is a different sport,” said de la Torre. "You have to be fairly talented for basketball or baseball. This provides a different opportunity for some different kids. Golf is also a lifetime sport that you can play forever."

He said golf can also go beyond just a high school sport. Many business opportunities can take place on the golf course, with golf used as a backdrop to make business deals such as he does in his job.

“You learn a lot about etiquette and understanding rules, playing by the rules, honesty if you’re not cheating,” Gobin said.

Gobin also told the board he has been contacted by two parents who are interested in holding a fundraiser to help fund the team, which could also help the district save some money in starting the program.

After discussion, the board voted unanimously to approve adding a golf team to the district and will begin working to get a team ready and registered for spring competitions.