LYNN — Lynn Classical Golf Coach Jack Morrison has checked a lot of boxes in his 15-year career. Now, “a sweet 16, I hope.”
“My philosophy is let’s learn the rules, let’s learn how to be respectable with golf etiquette, represent your school, pay attention, and learn,” Morrison said. “That’s what we try to do.”
With that philosophy in mind, the Rams have won three consecutive conference championships (one in the Northeastern Conference, previous two in Greater Boston League).
“I did have the luxury of having, kind of, a wagon the last few years,” said Morrison, who coached stars Brady Warren, TJ Walsh, and Ryan Dugan last year.
Some people get bored with their jobs – not Morrison.
“I’ll probably be turning into a madman pretty soon,” Morrison said. “You just get into it, you know? It’s good.”
When asked about capturing a fourth straight conference title, Morrison said he’s ready for step one.
“Well, I’m looking for kids to show up for tryouts,” Morrison said. “We’ve only got two kids returning.”
Morrison admits he was “contemplating merging” with other schools. However, with incoming freshmen – some from Gannon Golf Club – he said “it seems like we’re going to be OK.”
“There’s a handful of kids, incoming freshmen, which was a big relief,” Morrison said. “[I’m] extra excited.”
He doesn’t want to overuse the word “rebuild,” but is prepared for it nonetheless.
“We’re going to be very young and very much rebuilding,” Morrison said. “But I’m super excited about the fact that we’re going to have bodies.”
New bodies, however, come with a new coaching strategy. Regarding his “wagon” of experienced players now graduated, Morrison spent a lot of time just “keeping them on the right track.”
“My role as a coach will change,” Morrison said. “Now, it’s probably going to be way more teaching and getting them used to the system.”
First things first, when it comes to teaching, Morrison wants his golfers to feel comfortable – mostly because he’s been there.
“Golf is a very difficult game. There’s so much to it,” said Morrison, who still tries to play twice a week. “I never get upset if a kid hits it into the woods or misses a putt – because I’ve done it a zillion times myself.”
Classical practices several times per week for 90 minutes.
“We do what we can,” Morrison said. “We generally don’t get on the golf course until early evening or so.”
Practices are always changing, too.
“We don’t have to play nine holes. We can stop and learn,” Morrison said. “Where you drive it, how the yardage is – that sort of thing.”
It’s been that sort of thing for 15 years, with lots of success. Morrison’s favorite part, however, is being with the kids.
“I’ll say I’ve been lucky because all of them have been outstanding young men that probably had some good family upbringing,” Morrison said. “Coaching can be fun and easy if you have great kids, and I’ve had that.”
“I’ve stayed in touch with quite a few of them,” Morrison said. “I get all their numbers and any time anything good is happening, I give a shout.”
