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Middle school coach urges Bedford to ease fees for girls golf program
Summary
Peggy Taylor, the Bedford middle-school girls golf coach, told the parks board that required student memberships and range fees risk pricing beginners out of the sport and asked the board to make the membership optional or find alternative funding; the board agreed to discuss the request with school officials.
Peggy Taylor, the Bedford middle-school girls golf coach, asked the Bedford parks board to ease the financial burden on middle-school girls who want to join the town’s golf program, saying mandatory membership fees and range charges are discouraging new players.
"I am hoping that we can get out of that fee for the middle school girls that is not prohibitive to their participation," Taylor said, explaining she has coached the middle-school girls for 15 years and that the program is intended for beginners who often cannot or will not play outside practice.
Taylor told the board the middle-school team practices four days a week for about an hour and a half and that the program typically schedules about seven matches a year and feeds players into Bedford High School’s successful varsity program. She said current participation for the coming season is roughly 15 to 17 players, with a final roster to be set just before school starts.
Taylor described the current fee structure as roughly a $155 half-year student membership and a $100 range fee and said making the membership optional — while retaining a participation or range fee — would keep the program accessible to beginners and families who do not already golf.
Board members asked about school support and local fundraising options. One board member noted the high-school program and certain invites sometimes receive school or booster support for shirts and meals, while Taylor said she had discussed the matter with Brian Turpin at the junior high athletic department to explore potential assistance. Taylor suggested the team could also do work on the course (picking balls, light tasks) as a partial offset to fees.
Another board member cautioned that any waiver of fees for girls would likely prompt requests from other youth programs, including boys’ teams, and the board should be prepared to address parity. The board also discussed the practical difference between middle-school and high-school programs, noting middle-school players are less likely to play outside scheduled practice.
The board did not take a vote on Taylor’s request. Members said they would follow up: one suggested further discussions with Barb (who is on the school board) and Austin to explore whether school funds, booster groups or other sources could help cover the cost.
Taylor closed by thanking the board for listening; no formal action was recorded and the item will be discussed further by board members and school representatives.
