Morrison is new Classical golf coach

The Classical High golf team has a new coach.Jack Morrison, a former Lynner and St. Mary’s High graduate, was hired to replace Jay Fiste, who left to take the St. Mary’s High golf coaching job previously held by Mark Lee.Although Morrison lives in Beverly, he’s no stranger to the Lynn schools. He has been a teacher at Lynn Tech for the past 22 years and was a member at Gannon Municipal Golf Course for about 30 years. He’s currently a member at Beverly Golf & Tennis.Morrison graduated from St. Mary’s in 1973. He was a captain of the golf team back then and went on to play at Salem State College. He was also in the New England Professional Golf Association internship program for several years.Morrison inherits a program that has struggled with low numbers. He said his understanding is that there were approximately 12 players on the team last year, and four have graduated.”I’m hoping to see some smiling freshman faces at our first meeting,” Morrison said. “I want to try and build the program.”Morrison said younger children tend to flock to sports like baseball, softball and hockey, with their interest in golf often developing a little later in life. Morrison said when he was a youngster, he caddied at some of the area clubs. In addition to making a few bucks, he said it helped spark his interest in the game and it resulted in friendships that still endure today.”When you’re caddying, you meet other kids who are caddying and might get together with a couple of them and play,” he said.This is Morrison’s first varsity coaching job, although the father of three did coach his own children in youth soccer and, to a lesser extent, in hockey. He said his daughter, who recently graduated from college, had no interest in golf when she was younger and now wishes she had taken it up.”I enjoy the game,” he said. “I’d like to see the kids grow and get better at it.”Morrison said that as an adult out in the work world, you come to realize that a lot of business is conducted on the golf course and knowing how to play the game can have its benefits.