High school golf should be played in the fall not the spring, as it is now.

The idea came from local golf expert Page Ballo and as I drive around the area looking at golf courses, I realize she was right, fall golf would seem to make more sense.

The various reasons for the switch make a whole lot more sense.

The kids are in better shape.

Weather is always problematic in the Northeast, but the greens and fairways are definitely more suitable for play in the fall. They have not been ravaged by winter's icy claws; only the divots left behind by hackers like myself.

Although, people who run the local golf course disagree, saying that there isn't much disparity between the conditions.

But the fact is the high school golf season opened one day after most of the courses opened for business this spring.

So, how many young golfers were really prepared to compete?

How can a coach judge who is ready make the his "fave-five"?

The proposition of changing golf from a spring to a fall sport is something apparently that the CIAC and FCIAC have pondered and although they see the brilliance of the suggestion, neither can seem to get it passed.

I decided to take my quest for the answer to people more wise than me. I asked the coaches of the three local Stamford high schools and all said they would welcome the switch.

Even though it would complicate Chris Gerwig's life as he gets ready for hockey season at Trinity Catholic, he said he could see the wisdom in the change to help with player's development.

Westhill coach Tom Cook agreed that players who have been diligent practicing and taking lessons over their summer vacation would see the pay off in their efforts rather than having to go back to the drawing board.

Stamford coach Bruce Sylvester said it is tough picking a squad that has not touched a club in five months.

"If it works, great, because the kids are in shape in September not like now when they haven't touched a club since October," said Sylvester. "Now (in spring), we're trying to get them to have some sort of game."

So there. But why can't it be done?

Sylvester said he was a member of the CIAC board and had tried to push it through unsuccessfully. He said there was concern it would be upsetting the courses during their end of the season rush on the last days of summer.

"It's got to be 10 years we've been trying. We could barely get 50-percent (of the vote). Coaches said, 'I already coach a fall sport,' so that was that," said Sylvester. "I do think the tide is turning. The only tough part is you have to have two weeks (of preseason) and how could I come to the course in the last to weeks of August and say 'I need the course', but I do think it is coming."

Mike Sullivan who is in charge of E.Gaynor Brennan, said scheduling in the fall would not be any more of a problem than he faces in spring. He said it may even be easier at that time of year, but he would probably prefer it not to get in the way of his regular summer duffers.

"It might be better when golf slows down after Labor Day," said Sullivan. "We have two schools that take up tee times and it's not a big deal."

Former CiAC tournament director Jim Casagrande admitted this is an issue that comes up frequently and the last vote he remembered was, as Sylvester recalled, about 50-50. But, he stated the coaches against the change were adamant in their stance.

So my sampling has led me to the conclusion there is no reason golf cannot be changed to a fall sport.

While it was so easy for me to solve, I don't have a vote.

The only logical answer to come from my inquisition was that some coaches feel golf is their domain.

They are busy with other sports and don't want to give up their position or money. This is crazy, especially if establishing golf as a fall sport leads to better competition.

Hey, it has to be a good gig, compared to other more stressful and strenuous sports. Plus a free round of golf every now and then with their players is a bonus.

If that is true, well, then coaches are missing the real reason why they coach. In the end, it should be about the players.

Joe Ryan is a regular contributor to The Stamford Times. He can be reached at jryan@thestamfordtimes.com.