Coach Greg Lerdal — Simply the Best!

Usually a person has to wait years to know how appreciated he or she was in their little corner of the world. But longtime New London Golf Coach Greg Lerdal is retiring from the head coaching position after almost 30 years, and he deserves some serious recognition now. As you will see, his record is truly impressive.

Greg took up golf at around twelve. At the time, the Lerdal family lived in Belmond, Iowa and in order to play, he often rode his bike to the Belmond Country Club. He played his sophomore year for Belmond High School.

“My mom Diane went to the school after we moved here my junior year to promote a golf program at NLHS,” he recalls. “It was approved, and Mr. Arrowsmith, the then superintendent, volunteered to take the team to the meets. I believe the program began in 1980.”

Greg has been the boys’ golf coach since 1997 or 27 years. He took over coaching the girls in 2000, 24 years to be exact. His philosophy about teaching and improving young golfers is simple: work with each individual’s golf swing instead of trying to teach a “perfect” swing, and then assist with small adjustments as needed. About 90% of his golfers have no golfing experience coming into the program, and each golfer’s swing is unique.

“I have yet to see any two swings that are alike,” he says, as he works with each individual golfer honing their skills.

He feels that most all of his golfers improved significantly over the years they played golf. That was his job… to help them improve each and every practice and meet. Improvement was always his goal.

Although Greg has won many honors over the two-plus decades he has coached the Tigers, he makes it clear that it was never about personal recognition. The many Coach of the Year plaques gather dust in a closet. For him, coaching has always been about the kids and not about coaching honors.

His record speaks for itself:

GIRLS:

BOYS

Some of his most cherished memories as he looks back over the years include over 120 kids getting to participate in the state tournament. There was lots of fun too. On the girls’ first appearance at state golf, one of the girls made a play list. They blared Abba’s “Dancing Queen” as the girls departed for state. That tradition continued for every departure for State Girls’ Golf.

The discussion then turned to his assistant coach Dennis Carter. He has been by his side, first as a volunteer and then as his assistant coach. He says of Dennis, “For many years, Dennis volunteered his time. I feel like we complimented each other very well. Dennis is very passionate about finding out what is best for the kids. A lot of time was spent in-season and out-of-season just going over ideas and strategies for helping to improve the kids and their game. I can’t even begin to thank him for all his support over the years. There are countless volunteers that have helped both me and the kids through the years. Dennis is definitely on the top of that list.”

He also singled out Jackie Housman, his daughter. She has also been a volunteer. She runs the Youth Golf Program that enables kids to attain many skills before they get to high school. She invaluable to her dad.

When asked about Deerwood, he said, ”Being the owner and operator of Deerwood Golf Course has had its good points and its bad.”

He continued, “In some ways it has been easier because I’m always there. I’m there whenever one of my golfers needs some extra help. I can be there the minute they can. But in some ways, it has been harder. Owning and operating a golf course is more than a full-time job and it is sometimes difficult to find that extra time that kids need. As owners, we are responsible for the home meets. This entails a lot of little things that a normal coach doesn’t have to worry about.”

Greg and his wife Shelly have three adult children that are all golfers. She laughingly includes their spouses too. She only half jokingly points out golfing is a marriage prerequisite in the Lerdal family. They also have five grandchildren — one girl and four boys. Of course, along with their parents who are all very good golfers, grandpa will be there in the future to guide them.

In other family lore, it turns out that Jack Nicklaus is Greg’s golfing idol. He grew up watching him play on television. He so admired Jack, that daughter Jackie was named for him.

In closing, Greg wants people to realize he has had great backing for the sport. He extends his sincere “thanks” to the parents, to the kids, to the school and to the Booster club for all of their support. He also singled out the community for all the support so many have given down through the years.

As the sun sets on this truly impressive coaching career, Greg makes it clear he’ll still be around.

“I plan to stay involved on a volunteer basis as needed,” he says. “I feel extremely confident leaving the running of the golf program in the capable hands of Dennis (Carter) and Jackie (Housman). The future is bright.”

So Greg, thanks for your dedication to the kids, your passion for the game, and your willingness to share both. It’s been remarkable.