Lindsey Lipinski will not accept mediocre when it comes to her golf team. Coach Lipinski took over the high school golf program at Springbrook High School in Silver Spring, Maryland in 2017 and additionally, coaches softball at the high school since 2016. Participation levels in the golf program at Springbrook HS are historically low due to the fact that many of the kids in the area are not brought up playing the game resulting from a lack of access and resources. Coach Lipinski does not accept this at face value and vowed to make a change in the golf program when she took over.
Starting a high school golf team is difficult enough, however, Coach Lipinski is determined to ensure that any young boy or girl that wants to compete on the golf team is able to do so. Where some coaches may simply accept the fact that the team does not have enough players to field a team score, Coach Lipinski goes out to the student body and actively recruits students by holding meetings and practice sessions to introduce golf to the school population. Coach Lipinski creates a fun and inclusive atmosphere toward the game, inviting players of all skill levels to join the golf team.
Anyone who looks to reach the younger generation nowadays knows that social media is one of the best tools to use. Coach Lipinski took it upon herself to create a twitter page and social media presence to celebrate her players and their accomplishments. Where other school districts have the volunteers and resources to shuttle players to matches and tournaments, Springbrook HS isn’t as fortunate. Coach Lipinski takes it upon herself to make room in her personal car for her players and shuttle them to and from practice and matches.
One of the most difficult questions that we get from schools is how to find access to golf equipment for students who cannot afford to buy golf clubs. Coach Lipinski has teamed up with a Maryland based company, Leveling the Playing Field, that accepts donations of used sports equipment and reappropriates the equipment to local sports organizations in need. Coach Lipinski sets up appointments and visits the distribution center multiple times in order to get clubs and bags for all of the kids on her team to have the equipment to excel on the course.
High school golf is typically the four best years of any young athlete’s life, and Coach Lipinski is determined to ensure that all her players, no matter their background, have the tools they need to excel on and off the course. If you would like to contact Coach Lipinski, she can be reached via email at Lindsey_E_Ruhle@mcpsmd.org or on Twitter at: @CoachLipinski