Mar-April 2011 Topics Newsletter

TOPICS NEWSLETTER VOLUME 20, NO. 1 - MAR / APR 2011

2011 TOURNAMENT SEASON

Participating PGA Members at the Play Golf America Day at Del Tura Country Club - page 6 -

MSR MSR Opportunities and Deadlines - page 6 -

WHAT’S INSIDE: Tournament Preparation Pro’s on the Go Play Golf America Days Rules with Drew Chapter News ...and more!

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NEW MEMBERS

The South Florida PGA would like to welcome the following new members to the Section: Andrew Forbes, PGA Joseph Stago, PGA Stuart Thomas, PGA Robert Tiettmeyer, PGA

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Normandy Shores Golf Club Country Club of Naples Hideout Golf Club PGA Center for Golf Learn&Perf

contact information

NEW APPRENTICES

The South Florida PGA would like to welcome the following new apprentices to the Section: William Carroll Jr. Robert Kusek Michael Lamere Justin Onken Michael Roy II Christopher Sweeney

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Quail Ridge Country Club Club at Mediterra Highlands Ridge GC North Old Marsh Golf Club Old Marsh Golf Club The Old Collier Golf Club

APPRENTICE LEVELS

PASSED

PHONE / FAX 561-729-0544 / 561-729-0914

Craig Callens Shawn Costello Mitchell Custenborder Andrew Forbes, PGA Joseph Ingoglia Shane Keenan Lee Stroever

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Card Sound Golf Club Broken Sound Club - Old Course -- Normandy Shores Golf Club Calusa Pines Golf Club Miami Beach Golf Club North Palm Beach Country Club

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Chris Trout

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Cypress Lake Country Club

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EMAIL sflorida@pgahq.com WEBSITE www.sfpgagolf.com PRESIDENT Stephen A. Cox, PGA VICE PRESIDENT Brian Peaper, PGA

PGA CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS

The South Florida PGA would like to congratulate Sara Dickinson, PGA for becoming certified in Instruction and John Gudauskas, PGA for his sixth certification in Ownership / Leasing through The PGA Certified Professional Program.

IN MEMORY OF

SOUTH FLORIDA SECTION, PGA OF AMERICA 186 Atlantis Boulevard Atlantis, FL / 33462

Robert Dolci, PGA passed away February 7, 2011 at the age of 70. Robert vived by his wife Terrace Dolci. PGA member Joseph Doyle passed away 10, 2011 at the age of 88. Joseph is survived by his wife Lucy Doyle. The Florida PGA sends its condolences and prayers to the Dolci and Doyle

is surMarch South family.

DO YOU HAVE A CHILD HEADED TO COLLEGE?

Annually the PGA of America grants financial assistance to children of PGA Members meeting the established criteria. Last year $300,000 was granted to over 170 students across the country.

For more information click here.

RECEIVE UPDATES VIA TEXT

The South Florida PGA is rolling out a new service this Spring allowing PGA Professionals and Apprentices to receive tournament updates via text. Simply text “PGATourny” to 69050 to receive updates on event deadlines, partnership announcements, event updates, etc. In addition, event participants will be able to receive updates from every event they enter. For example, if you are entered in the Pro-Official, simply text “Pro-Official” to 69050 to receive updates on pairings, results, partners, rain delays, etc. Key words for each event will be e-mailed to each event registrant after the deadline. Please contact the Section office with any questions.

PURCHASE YOUR PLAYER’S CARD

South Florida PGA Professionals and Apprentices wishing to play in three or more Section proonly events are required to purchase a Tournament Player’s Card. The following events apply: Global Golf Sales Tournament Series #1, #2, #3, Southeast PGA Classic, E-Z-GO South Florida Open, Pro-Pro Championship presented by Polo and Section Championship presented by TaylorMade-adidas. It is important to note that you must purchase your Player’s Card prior to registering for any events or the system will not recognize that you have purchased one. Please click here to purchase your Player’s Card online.

NEW POLICY APPROVED FOR 2011 TOURNAMENT SEASON

The playing grace period for Members who become unemployed has been extended from 90 days to 12 months (from time member becomes unemployed). The Member must remain in an active classification during this grace period in order to keep tournament eligibility. Members will automatically lose eligibility for the grace period if they participate in (2) two or more SFPGA recognized Tour and/or mini-Tour events while not meeting Section employment eligibility guidelines. Please click here for all Tournament Policies.

SECRETARY Warren Bottke, PGA IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Jeff Raimer, PGA SOUTHERN CHAPTER PRESIDENT Dick McNeill, PGA SOUTHEAST CHAPTER PRESIDENT Rick Heard, PGA SOUTHWEST CHAPTER PRESIDENT Bill Constantine, PGA ISLAND CHAPTER PRESIDENT Brian Shaver, PGA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Geoff Lofstead ADVISORY BOARD Paul Anderson Dean Baker Rick Bayliss Ed D’Alessandro, PGA Ira Kaplan Jim Maitland Jim O’Connor Craig Perna Steve Sponder Harry Tempkins Roger Woonton

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chip shots section news

SFPGA PROFESSIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP DATE & SITE CHANGE

Since the Red/Green calendar was printed and mailed, there has been one change. The 2011 South Florida PGA Professional Championship will be contested at Mayacoo Lakes Country Club on September 28th – 29th instead of Bear Lakes Country Club which was previously advertised.

SFPGA TO CONDUCT FIRST EVER WOMEN’S ONLY PRO-PRO

The Polo Club of Boca Raton is set to host the 1st Annual Women’s Pro-Pro event supported by Global Golf Sales and Cutter & Buck to be contested on Friday, May 20th. Teams may be comprised of any two female SFPGA members or registered Apprentices. Following play, lunch will be provided and a cracker barrel session will take place with the Section officers. Please click here to register online.

PRO-ASSISTANT NOW A SECTION AFFAIR

The Pro-Assistant Championship presented by Cutter & Buck and supported

by Golf Buddy, Mizuno and Global Golf Sales will no longer be contested as a statewide event but will instead be for just South Florida PGA Members and Apprentices. The event will remain a 36-hole four-ball stroke play competition with the same eligibility guidelines played over two days (June 6th & 7th) with a player luncheon taking place after round one. St Andrews Country Club in Boca will be hosting the event. Please click here to register online.

RECEIVE FASTER

TOURNAMENT

WINNINGS

All PGA Professionals and Apprentices participating in Section and Chapter activities will have the ability to have his/her winnings directly deposited into their checking or savings accounts. Please click here to download the form.

ANNUAL MEETING CHANGES

The Section’s Annual Meeting will be Monday, May 9th at the Marriott Heron Bay. The meeting will have officer, executive director and career consultant reports, candidate speaking opportunity, and officer election.

Schedule: 9:00AM-12PM: Section education program 12PM - 1:00PM: Lunch 1:00 - 4:00PM: Annual meeting 4:00-5:30PM: Cocktail reception

NEW SECTION WEBSITE

We are very excited to announce our new website www.sfpgagolf. com. This new website offers video capabilities, photo galleries, links to our social media sites and easy tournament registration. Check out the site for MSR opportunities, the latest news, or information on all Section Partners.

DIRECTORY & CALENDAR

You should have received your 2011 Association Directory and 2011 Calendar of Events in the mail. If you have not received this package, please contact the Section office at 561-729-0544.

FACEBOOK & TWITTER

Are you on Facebook? Do you tweet? Join the conversation with the South Florida PGA Section, the SFPGA Junior Tour presented by the Honda Classic, or even the SFPGA GolfPass!

SFPGA Section

DO YOUR TOURNAMENT WINNINGS NEED TO BE PAID TO A CORPORATION? If your tournament winnings need to be paid to a corporation instead of to yourself:

1. It is important that you completely fill out all the corporation information correctly while registering online. If the information is not complete, then your corporation will not be paid.

2. You can even have your corporation paid when mailing in your entry - just make note of it on the paper entry form before mailing into the PGA of America.

3. Notify the Section office with all your corporation information. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the tournament office at (561) 7290544.

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN RUNNING FOR SECTION OFFICE?

Junior Tour

SFPGA GolfPass

Members who are interested in running for Section office only have two weeks left to announce their intent. If you are interested you must submit a written statement to Executive Director Geoff Lofstead no later than April 9th . Currently three individuals have announced their intent to run for the office of Secretary; Chad Kurmel, PGA Teaching Professional at the Don Law Golf Academy, Jeff Nixon, PGA Director of Golf at Del Tura Country Club and Mark Van Dyck, PGA Director of Golf at Fort Lauderdale Country Club. Reigning Vice President Brian Peaper and Secretary Warren Bottke will be running for the seats of President and Vice President, respectively.

All three offices will be an open election and if there is only one candidate for a respective office then that member will win the election by acclamation. Section Officers serve for 8 consecutive years, with two-year terms as Secretary, Vice President, President and Immediate Past President. The time commitment from the President and Vice President normally includes fifteen days a year away from work; Secretary, eight days. For the full copy of the election policies and procedures please click here.

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PRO’S ON THE GO PRO TO FROM

Ron Baker A-1 – Woodmont CC, Tamarac A-1-Miami Shores CC, Miami Shores William Reilly A-11 – PGA of America, PBG Philadelphia Section Tony Chateauvert A-13 – Town of Palm Beach, PB A-8 – TheYacht& Country Club, Stuart Trace Allison A-4 – Miami Shores CC, Miami Shores A-8 – Indian Creek CC, Indian Creek Village Bruce Hardwood 11 unattached A-1 – Stoneybrook GC of Estero, Estero Dan Cammarata Retired Member A-13 – New England Section

ASSOCIATION DIRECTORY CORRECTION

Due to a system error, the list of Master Professionals in the 2011 Association Directory is not complete. See the complete list on our website (click here), or view the list below. We apologize for any confusion.

South Florida PGA Master Professionals Steven Anderson, PGA Warren Bottke, PGA Duke Bowen, PGA Jane Broderick, PGA Chris Childers, PGA Bill Cioffoletti, PGA Kevin Compare, PGA Stephen Cox, PGA Bill Davis, PGA Buck Deibel, PGA John Fleming, PGA Thomas Galvin Sr., PGA Laurie Hammer, PGA Ron Howell, PGA Brian Hughes, PGA Lantie Hughes, PGA Martin Kavanaugh II, PGA Robert Korbel, PGA James Kurtzeborn, PGA Dawes Marlatt, PGA Rick V. Martino Jr., PGA Gregory E. Martzolf, PGA Jim McLean, PGA David McQuade, PGA Harry E Parker, PGA Kevin M. Perkins, PGA Jane E. Reynolds Joseph Sciortino, PGA Regi Starzyk, PGA Bud Taylor, PGA Mark A. Tschetschot, PGA Jerry R. Tucker, PGA Roger W. Van Dyke, PGA Tony Wallin, PGA Gregory W. Wetzel, PGA Eric C. Wilson, PGA Gary Wiren, PGA

THIS YEAR’S PRO-AM

Are you interested in playing in a Pro-Am? Well, look no further than the South Florida Senior Open Pro-Am. Don’t let the name of the event fool you, it’s open to Professionals and Amateurs of ANY age.

Your team entry fee of $340 covers your golf and player BBQ following play. Top finishing Professionals in each division (under 50, 50-59, 60-69, 70+) will receive cash prizes while the top finishing amateurs will receive golf shop gift certificates. Worried your game might be a little rusty after the long winter? Well for the team competition, par is partner for the professional, meaning the worst score a pro can get for his/her team is par. So, if you’re interested in bringing a team to Jonathan’s Landing on May 11th and treating your members to a tremendous day of golf, please click here to sign up online today or for a printable entry form, click here. We look forward to seeing you in Jupiter.

quote of the month

“I’m hitting the woods just great, but I’m having a terrible time getting out of them.”

Harry Toscano professional golfer

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education MSR Opportunities

MSR Opportunities - meetings -

Section: Monday, April 11th at 8am-12 Location: Grey Oaks Country Club, Naples Subject: Social Media and different methods of communication with your customers

Southeast Chapter - Thursday, April 28th Location: PGA National, Palm Beach Gardens Time: 6:30pm

- education -

Section: Monday, May 9 : 8am-12 Location: Marriott Coral Springs Subject: Ron Garl; noted golf course architect will share his knowledge of the industry and current opportunities for PGA members.

Southern Chapter Monday, April 25th – 9 – 10 AM – Weston Hills Country Club Subject: TBD Registration and breakfast will begin at 8:30 AM Monday, May 23rd – 9 – 11:45 AM – Heron Bay Golf Club Subject: TBD Registration and breakfast will begin at 8:30 AM, lunch and golf event immediately following

Southwest Chapter - Monday, April 25th Location: Pelican’s Nest Golf Club, Bonita Springs.

Time: 10am-12pm Southern Chapter - Monday, April 25th Location: Weston Hills. Weston Time: 10am South Florida PGA Section Annual Meeting Monday, May 9th Location: Marriott Coral Springs Annual Meeting Schedule: 9:00AM-12PM: Section education program 12PM - 1:00PM: Lunch 1:00 - 4:00PM: Annual meeting 4:00-5:30PM: Cocktail reception

REMINDER: the current MSR cycle ends June 15, 2011 Apprentice Spotlight Stanley Wilson Apprentice

What is your progress in the PGM/PGA Program? Have you passed your PAT? What level are you currently working on? I am currently finishing up Level 1 in the PGM/PGA Program will be taking my tests this coming summer. I passed my PAT my senior year in college shooting (74,74) at PGA Village. Currently finishing up Level 1 and looking forward to starting and finishing level 2 as quickly as possible.

Where are you from? Where did/ do you go to school and what did/ do you study? I am originally from Miami, Fl and attended Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Fl. Among playing golf for FAMU I was a Business Administration major with a concentration in Finance.

Where do you currently work? Where have you worked?

What have been your job responsibilities? I am currently the Assistant Golf Professional at Bear Lakes Country Club, and have completed a number of internships throughout college. I have interned

at City Furniture, and Nestle Purina. At my past internships my job responsibilities included working in the Finance Department at City Furniture, and sales at Nestle Purina where I was in charge of sales for 15 WAL-MART Stores.

What inspired you to pursue golf as your career? What are your goals? I have always loved golf and enjoyed being around golf.

As a junior golfer I was always the kid hanging around the golf course after school practicing and playing. I really enjoy playing, teaching, and inspiring junior golfers to love and enjoy the game of golf. My biggest goal right now is to finish my PGM/PGA book work and matriculate through the golf industry eventually becoming Head Pro or Director of Golf at an exclusive country club.

What are your other hobbies besides golf? Hobbies besides golf include working out, fishing, and snorkeling. I volunteer for Inner City Youth Golfers (ICYG) where I am the Youth Golf Advisor.

Favorite golf moment? My favorite golf moment aside from winning golf tournament would be getting my first hole-in-one with my father. A hole-in-one is a rare event and to have it happen with my dad was something special. We didn’t see the ball go in the hole but once we got up to the green and saw the ball in the cup I think he was more excited than I was. But it was a great moment that I will always cherish!!!

**Apprentices: do you want to be featured in the newsletter?

Email Corrie at cedwards@pgahq.com to find out how!

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chip shots Play Golf America

Play Golf America at the Honda Classic Top Left: PGA Member Joe Canny and (Top Right) PGA Member Scott Munroe give free lessons

Play Golf America at Del Tura

Del Tura Country Club in North Fort Myers hosted a Play Golf America Day boasting over 500 participants. Local PGA Professionals offered free golf lessons, club fittings, a fitness clinic and even a women’sonly instructional clinic. Play Golf America Days are FREE consumer festivals offering golfers of all abilities and all ages a special day.

Del Tura was honored to bring in a very special guest, PGA Honorary Member Dennis Walters, who hosted his motivational trick shot show. Spectators had a blast listening to Dennis’ inspirational message and watching his variety of specials shots and clubs… even hitting three balls at once!

Special thanks to South Florida PGA Growth of the Game Chairperson, Jeff Nixon for organizing and hosting this very successful Play Golf America event!

Play Golf America Days are presented by Mercedes Benz and RBC.

Mid-Left: PGA member Suzanne Bannan leading the women’s golf clinic Mid-Right: Participating PGA Members Bottom Left: PGA member Robin Albright leads more fun activities at Del Tura CC’s Play Golf America Event 6

chip shots Welcome New Hire Meredith Schechter

The South Florida PGA Section is excited to bring on Meredith Schechter as the new Junior Tour & Special Events Coordinator.

Meredith is from Danbury, Connecticut and attended Elon University with a Sport Management Major and Business Administration Minor.

She was involved with The First Tee, mainly the Met NY chapter since graduating high school. Throughout college she stayed involved and through that relationship interned with the Metropolitan Section PGA working on their Junior Tour.

Meredith spent 5 seasons with the Met PGA. The past 3 years Meredith was working for The First Tee of Met NY doing mostly fundraising and special events. Through her time there she created a regional tournament for the Northeast Chapters and ran a national tournament for The First Tee held at the World Golf Village.

Meredith Schechter, new Junior Tour & Special Events Coordinator at the Section office

"I am excited to be involved with such a strong section with a lot of activity, programs, and members. Everyone at the SFPGA has been so welcoming. I am delighted to join a group of such dedicated professionals."

If you have a question for Meredith or would like to welcome her to the Section, email her at MSchechter@pgahq.com or call the office at 561-729-0544.

Smiling Fore Life

For the past four weeks SFPGA Professional, Ryan Alvino has been visiting St. Mary’s Children’s Hospital Parent-Child Life Program once a week for two hours providing golf to young patients as part of the SFPGA Foundation program called “Smiling Fore Life”. This programs provides young patients with an opportunity to take their minds off the hardships they are facing and enjoy a fun activity.

Alvino says, “working with the kids has been

such a great experience. It may sound cliche, but it has definitely positively impacted me just as much, if not more than the kids.”

This program is also being conducted at the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Hollywood, and will soon expand over into the west coast of Florida.

For more information about this program and other programs supported by the SFPGA Foundation, visit the Foundation page on sfpgagolf.com.

Images: SFPGA Professional Ryan Alvino working with young patients at St. Mary’s Children’s Hospital 5

tournament news

First Junior Tour a Huge Success Presented by:

Supported by:

The South Florida PGA Junior Tour presented by the Honda Classic hosted Event #1 at The Fountains Country Club in Lake Worth. The North course at the 54-hole facility provided for an excellent test of golf throughout the two day event.

Nicolas Cavero of Doral, L to R: Winner Nicolas Cavero, Joe Roux - PGA Director of Golf at the FL was able to hold off last Fountains Country Club, Marissa Kay year’s winner Derron Peyton of Boynton Beach to win the Boys Overall Division. Cavero carded a final round 2-under 69 for a two day total of 140 to claim a three shot victory. Raymond Boone of Cutler Bay, FL edged out a second place finish with a combined score of 143. Derron Peyton had another successful weekend at the Fountains Country Club finishing third with a 144 total score.

Claiming the Girls Overall Division was Marissa Kay of Delray Beach. Kay was able to keep her lead from Round 1 by finishing 73 – 73 for a two stroke lead of 146. Annie Dulman of Palm Beach Gardens, FL finished strong with a 1-over par 72 Sunday, awarding her second place with a 148 finish. Ashley Burke, last year’s winner from Boynton Beach, was able to capture third place with a 151 total score for the tournament.

The Boys 12-13 Age Division was not short on great play as Ty Strafaci of Davie, FL won the event after firing a second round 69. Strafaci finished the tournament with a two day total of 144. Hamilton Long of Palm Beach Gardens had a strong tournament, finishing second with scores of 73-74 for a total 147. Finishing third was Cole Sposato of Vero Beach, with a total of 148.

In the Girls 12-13 Age Division, Kaely Krayeski of Wellington shot a 74 the first round, to beat her personal best score. Krayeski continued her momentum and edged out the competition by 1 stroke Sunday finishing with a 161. Both Zora Gittens of Parkland, and Story Shaw of West Palm Beach tied for a finish of 162.

Congratulations to all competitors in the event. The

next South Florida PGA Junior Tour event will be held April 9th and 10th at Santa Lucia River Club in Port St. Lucie.

The South Florida PGA Junior Tour is proudly presented by The Honda Classic and supported by Titleist, Don Law Golf Academy, Club Med Golf Academy, Palm Beach Sports Commission, Allianz Championship, and The Fun Group at Mirasol.

Top Finishers in the 12-13 Age Divisions - Story Shaw, Zora Gittens, Kaely Krayeski, Ty Strafaci, Cole Sposato and Hamilton Long

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chapter news

Attention all Southeast Chapter Members,

Attention Southern Chapter Members,

At our spring chapter meeting on April 28, the Southeast Chapter will be electing an at-large representative to serve on the Section Executive Committee. This is being done to help increase the involvement and the representation of the general membership in ongoing section activities.

One at-large representative will be elected from each of the three mainland South Florida chapters.

This Friday, March 25th is the deadline to submit candidacy for Southern Chapter office. Available positions and candidates at this time are:

The chapter at-large director must be an active member in good standing and cannot currently be serving the chapter or section as an elected officer. The term is a three year non-consecutive term.

The elected representative will be part of an 11 person Executive Board that will carry a vote at all section Executive Committee meetings. Though these individuals are elected on the local chapter level, they are ultimately a representative for the entire section and should represent the best interests of all section members and not just the local chapter in which they were elected.

The individual elected at our chapter meeting will be sworn in to the Executive Board at the section annual meeting of the membership on Monday, May 9th.

Please email Rick Heard at rheard@me.com if you are interested in running for this position. Candidates will be asked to make a brief presentation at the upcoming chapter meeting on April 28, after which the election will be held.

- President- Mark VanDyck - Vice President- Dick McNeill and Chris Krause - Treasurer- Bob Mallek - Secretary- Chad Middaugh - Chapter-at -large-representative- Bill Plotkin and Jeff Wilson Ballots will be available from the Section office beginning Tuesday, March 29th. You may vote by absentee ballot or at the Chapter Meeting on April 25 at Weston Hills at 10 AM. Candidates will be allowed 5 minutes at the meeting to address the membership before ballots are cast.

Please visit the Southern Chapter portion of the new Section website (www.sfpgagolf.com) to register for you players card and all upcoming Chapter events.

If you are not receiving Section email blast, please be sure you contact the Section office at 561-729-0544 to update your information.

In the Section election our own Mark VanDyck is running for Secretary/Treasurer. It is of utmost importance that we have a representative of the Southern Chapter as a Section Officer. Please cast your vote for Mark.

Thanks for reading.

Dick McNeill, PGA Southern Chapter President

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education rules with drew

Did You Make a Claim?

SFPGA TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR ANDREW MILLER

Whenever I receive an inquiry regarding match play the first question I always ask is whether the player made a claim. Silence is usually the response I receive.

I explain to the caller that unless the match was accompanied by a referee, the players themselves are responsible for making rulings. If the players don’t know how to proceed or a dispute arises, then the player questioning the act may make a claim. Let me explain.

There are two types of matches, ones with referees and ones without. For example, the Ryder Cup has a referee assigned to every match who is responsible for and has the authority to grant relief and invoke penalties. Basically he is the governing body of that match and is the final word with regard to any ruling. On the other side we’ve got matches that are played without referees. For example, the Section Challenge Cup is administered by the North and South Florida Sections and there isn’t enough staff to assign a referee to each match. Therefore, if a doubt or dispute arises between the players, the Rules of Golf affords them the opportunity to make a claim and receive a ruling from the committee. In order for the committee to consider a claim, the players must follow the procedure outlined in Rule 2-5.

Rule 2-5 states, “if a doubt or dispute arises between the players, a player may make a claim. The committee may consider a claim only if the player making the claim notifies his opponent (i) that he is making a claim, (ii) of the facts of the situation and (iii) that he wants a ruling. The claim must be made before any player in the match plays from the next teeing ground or, in the case of the last hole of the match, before all players in the match leave the putting green.” Remember, Rule 2-5 is only for those matches which are contested without a referee. For example, if player A takes relief from a lateral water hazard and drops his

ball three club lengths instead of the required two, his opponent may before either player plays from the next teeing ground make a claim as to player A’s improper drop. The committee would of course invoke a loss of hole penalty on player A for his breach of Rule 26-1. Now what would be the ruling if the opponent never made a claim? Since the opponent witnessed player A’s breach and said nothing, the hole stands as played and there is nothing the committee can do. If this match would have been accompanied by a referee, he would have immediately told player A that he is only entitled to drop a ball two club lengths from the hazard. Player A would have re-dropped and the match would have continued.

In the last paragraph I said, “since the opponent witnessed player A’s breach.” What would have been the ruling if the opponent would never have witnessed the breach? How could the opponent make a claim for a breach of rule he never knew occurred? Well, the second part of Rule 2-5 has us covered. It states, “A later claim may not be considered by the committee, unless it is based on facts previously unknown to the player making the claim and he has been given wrong information by an opponent.” Since the opponent never saw player A’s breach, he is permitted to make a later claim however there is a time limit. “Once the results of the match have been officially announced, a later claim may not be considered by the committee, unless it is satisfied that the opponent knew he was giving wrong information.” So after the results have been posted, the opponent may make a claim that player A dropped incorrectly and it would be up to the committee to decide whether or not they think player A knew he was breaching a rule by dropping three club lengths from the hazard margin.

So we’ve got referees and members of the committee. Why can’t a member of the committee act as a referee when there isn’t enough personnel to have a referee with each match? I will try to explain that question with my next example. This past year at the North / South Challenge Cup matches some players were deliberating behind the ninth green. As I watched from the club house I could tell that the ball of a player had settled down into an area of thick bushes. Within this area were some miniature palm trees that were staked for support and protection.

As the players were discussing the situation one of them noticed me and waved me over. I approached the players and asked how I could help. The player whose ball that was in question asked for relief from the staked tree. Now it is important to note that I am not a referee but simply a member of the committee and can really only offer a mere suggestion in this case. I simply told him that due to the lie of the ball I didn’t feel the player was entitled to relief because I didn’t think he could get his club on it. You almost had to be there to see it but that ball was so badly buried that had the player made a stroke at it he probably would have only advanced it mere inches if he was lucky. The exception under rule 24-2b states, “A player may not take relief under this rule (Immovable Obstruction – Staked Tree) if it is clearly 10

rules cont.

unreasonable for him to make a stroke because of interference by anything other than an immovable obstruction.”

After I gave my opinion the opponent said, “Drew are you sure? I think he can hit that.” I was a little surprised but said, “this is your match, if you think he can play from there then you can grant him relief from the staked tree. The opponent granted the relief and I walked away. After the exchange took place some asked why my decision wasn’t binding? They thought I had the authority to deny relief when in fact I didn’t. As a member of the committee, not a referee, the only time I can intervene on a match is when I see a breach of Rule 1-3, an agreement between the players to waive a rule. All other times I am simply there to offer suggestions and help interpret the rules when asked, unless a player makes a claim. After a claim is made I can then exercise my authority to make a ruling.

Match play, referees and making claims can all be pretty confusing, especially since we really don’t use these terms very often. The first thing you need to ask yourself when dealing with a match play situation is whether or not the match had a referee? If there wasn’t a referee then the players are for the most part on their own and must make a claim when they feel a situation isn’t right. And as a committee member, you can only intervene when you see a breach of Rule 1-3 or a player has made a proper claim. All other times you are simply there to offer suggestions.

upcoming events Sat - Sun, April 9-10 Junior Tour #2 supported by The Honda Classic at Santa Lucia River Club Wednesday, April 13 Pro-Official presented by Club Car & Tee Links Marketing Supported by Mobile Pro Shop & Antigua at Old Marsh Golf Club Monday, April 18 Nelson Cup Matches presented by adidasAshworth Golf at La Playa Golf Course Wednesday, April 20 Junior - Senior Supported by Global Golf Sales at The Links at Boynton Beach Friday, April 29 Player Ability Test at Spring Run Golf Club Sat - Sun, April 30-May 1 Junior Tour #3 supported by The Honda Classic at Indian Spring Country Club Monday, May 2 Tire Kingdom Foundation Pro-Am at Olde Florida Golf Club Wednesday, May 4 Global Golf Sales Series #1 at Quail Valley Golf Club Thur - Fri, May 5-6 SFPGA Professional Championship at Quail Valley Golf Club

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