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Couch takes new course, leaves golf By RANDY HAMMERICKSEN For the past 10 years, Todd Couch's life has been dedicated to golf, as a player, teacher and coach. But things have changed. Couch, 25, a former South Medford High School and University of Oregon golfer, has dropped his ties with professional golf in Southern Oregon to become account manager in the marketing department at AmeriTitle of Medford. "I'm moving on to something new and exciting," says Couch, who has been a teaching professional at Quail Point Golf Course since 1996 and teaching pro and part-owner of Golf Swing Shop in Medford for four years. Until recently, Couch was in his third year as the South Medford High's boys and girls coach. "I've always wanted to get into marketing like this, and it's too good of an opportunity to pass up," says Couch, who has been on his new job for two weeks, using the college degree he earned in economics, with an emphasis on marketing. "I'm really excited," says Couch. "I can still play golf on weekends, and I'm still going to be involved in the game that way.'' He hasn't stopped teaching altogether. He'll remain accessible to his former South Medford players through the end of this season. "I'm going out to work with some of my girls players today," he said Friday. "They know I'm available, if and when they need me ... I still look at them as my students, and they view me as their teacher. I won't let them down." Some may still be getting over his departure. "My decision came as kind of a shock to my players and their parents," says Couch. "I had put structure into the golf programs at South Medford, and things were going to get better and better." Josh Jamieson and Jeremy Burrows, Couch's assistants, have taken over the boys and girls programs. Couch had been rumored to be in line for the head pro position at Quail Point. That position opened up two months ago when Mike Byrd took a similar position at Shieldcrest Golf Course in Klamath Falls. "The Quail Point people talked to me about it, but this opportunity in business is too good to be true," says Couch. "I can't pass up the opportunity and the future I have. "Golf is a weekend-oriented business. You put in a lot of your time working and teaching on weekends. In this field, I'm off most weekends. I can play golf for fun or spend time with my wife (Kristen) and my daughter (Morgan). It's great." Couch says he will consider trying to regain his amateur status so he can play in local amateur events. Today's Sports Index Mail Tribune Copyright� The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, OR U.S.A.