By Courtney Carlston
With a swing and a hit, two BYU students launch the first golf club at BYU.
Long-time friends Keith Morgan and Reed Ryan want students, faculty and staff to have opportunities to play golf together in a semi-competitive environment.
'The nice thing about it is the only thing we require is an e-mail address,' said Morgan, president of the golf club. 'It''s really noncommittal. There are no club meetings or fees, just tournaments.'
The club is open to everyone on campus, including faculty and staff, as well as inexperienced fans and admirers.
'A lot of people have reservations based on skill levels, but that''s not what we''re about,' said Ryan, vice president of the golf club. 'We just want to come together to play and have fun. I''m not even that good. I shoot bogie golf, but I love it.'
Morgan said he didn''t anticipate inexperienced golfers to sign up, but he''s looking forward to helping them learn the game. Morgan and Ryan are working with experienced club members to set up a free clinic for the amateur players.
Not only will members play golf in a less competitive environment, they''ll also play for less money. Because tournaments are held during the week, club members receive discounts at local courses.
The first tournament was Wednesday at New Cedar Hills Golf Club in American Fork.
'We''re calling the tournaments Mid-Week Classics,' Ryan said.
E-mails will be sent to members informing them of upcoming events and tournaments. Morgan said he will not hold club meetings, so anyone who wants to play needs to e-mail him to sign-up.
If enough people join the club, Morgan and Ryan said they hope to get discounts at courses even when members go to play individually.
All those interested in more information can contact Morgan at www.byugolfclub@byu.edu or at the golf club''s temporary website www.et.byu/~ksm4/golfclub.