Helcoski to be missed in golf ranks

High school golf coach. Job requirements: Must be able to teach kids about golf and character and also mold them into better people for the experience of playing under you.

Those are not easy shoes to fill at Riverside, where Jack Helcoski will be stepping down after an illustrious career of making better men of the players he was dealt.

Some guys are good golf coaches because they are adept at explaining the intricacies of the game. Others are good coaches when they have good players. Sometimes you're just lucky enough, as the Vikings have been, to have a man of character who is also a good teacher and someone you'd be happy to have coaching your kid.

We're going to miss Jack around the scoring table at the Jackman and District 2 tournaments. More importantly, we'll miss what he has done and represents.

Whoever gets the job, there is one other thing that isn't part of the official job requirement, but would serve the next coach well. You'd better have a quick wit and be willing to show it off.

It was bad enough to learn that Dan Kopcza was retiring and ending his tenure as golf coach at North Pocono, and now with Helcoski stepping down, the old guard is slowly disappearing. Not that change isn't good. And it certainly will give both Kopcza and Helcoski plenty of opportunities to invite guests to come play with them at Elmhurst Country Club.

Oh thee of little faith in Old Man Winter. The annual Ice Tee golf tournament on Lake Wallenpaupack has been postponed until next month just because weather conditions haven't exactly been conducive to making ice on the big lake.

So, the family-friendly event has been moved from Jan. 29 to Feb. 26. Fortunately, this does not conflict with any member-guest tournaments in the area.

Hard to believe this event has been going on for 20 years, and that last season brought out a record 352 crazies - er, golfers - to play the links set up on the ice behind Ehrhardt's Restaurant. That's why this year's event will be expanded, with plans to create two 9-hole course, complete with tree-lined fairways, greens, water hazards, rough and other obstacles.