September 2010

TOPICS NEWSLETTER

VOLUME 17, NO. 4 - SEPTEMBER 2010

SFPGA Section Championship - page 9

South Florida Callway Golf PGA Assistant Pro Championship - page 7

Section Office Moves to Atlantis CC - page 4

WHAT’S INSIDE: Section Move to Atlantis Country Club SFPGA Scholarship Recipients Pros on the Go SFPGA Section Championship ...and more!

Senior Section Championship - page 9

chip shots

NEW MEMBERS

The South Florida PGA would like to welcome the following new members to the Section: Joshua Hart, PGA Donald Vandermillen Jay D. Westerlund, PGA

A-8 F A-8

Hobe Sound Golf Club The Club @ Renaissance

NEW APPRENTICES

The South Florida PGA would like to welcome the following new apprentices to the Section: Joseph Fries John Nieporte Andrew Pease William Roberson Jose Rodriguez Thomas Sawyer

B-8 B-1 B-8 B-8 B-6 B-8

Normandy Shores Golf Club Trump International GC Spanish Wells CC Doral Golf Resort & Spa Trump International GC Okeeheelee Golf Course

PGA CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM

The South Florida PGA would like to congratulate Michael DeJordy, PGA on earning his fifth and sixth certifcation in Retail and Ownership / Leasing; Jason Miller, PGA on completing the requirements to become certified in Golf Operations; and Darin Hoff, PGA on completing the requirements to become certified in Retail through The PGA Certified Professional Program.

QUARTER CENTURY CLUB

Congratulations to PGA member Joseph Jones, PGA on his induction into the Quarter Century Club, joining an outstanding group of individuals who have been PGA members for over 25 years.

contact information SOUTH FLORIDA SECTION, PGA OF AMERICA 186 Atlantis Boulevard Atlantis, FL / 33462 PHONE / FAX 561-729-0544 / 561-729-0914 EMAIL sflorida@pgahq.com WEBSITE www.sflorida.pga.com PRESIDENT Stephen A. Cox, PGA VICE PRESIDENT Brian Peaper, PGA SECRETARY Warren Bottke, PGA

HALF CENTURY CLUB

Congratulations to PGA members Frank Picone, PGA and Art Berry, PGA on their induction into the Half Century Club, joining an outstanding group of individuals who have been PGA members for over 50 years.

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Jeff Raimer, PGA

JUNIOR TOUR VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

SOUTHERN CHAPTER PRESIDENT Dick McNeill, PGA

The South Florida PGA is in the midst of another successful year of junior golf. To continue the trend, we need volunteers to come out and act as Pace of Play/Rules Officials during the events.

Each volunteer will receive 1 MSR Credit per hour worked. If you would like to help, please click here to view the tournament dates and site, and then contact Meredith at 561-72-0544 x105 with your availability.

APPRENTICE LEVELS Joseph Fries Benjamin Kitts William Roberson Thomas M Sawyer Shawn Costello Troy Francis Pleasant Hughes William Pankey Landon Comeau Geoffrey Hall Jay Westerlund, PGA Andrew Pierson Patrick Hawkins Scott Kash Lee Stroever Brian Fedish Dennis Rye

PASSED

Normandy Shores Golf Club Arrowhead Golf Course Doral Golf Resort & Spa Okeeheelee Golf Course Broken Sound Club - Old Course Hunters Run Golf & Racquet Cl. Everglades Club Golf & Racquet Country Club Island Country Club Royal Palm Country Club The Club @ Renaissance Naples National Golf Club McArthur Golf Club Bonita Bay Club North Palm Beach Country Club The Polo Club of Boca Raton The Polo Club of Boca Raton

R1 R2 N-0 N-0 R1 R2 R2 R2 R2 R3 R3 R1 R2 R2 R1 R2 R2

SOUTHEAST CHAPTER PRESIDENT Rick Heard, PGA SOUTHWEST CHAPTER PRESIDENT Bill Constantine, PGA ISLAND CHAPTER PRESIDENT Aaron West, 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

GOLF LICENSE PLATE PROGRAM

This year the South Florida PGA has partnered with the Golf License Plate Program to help promote the plate to Florida residents. For every Golf License Plate sold in the state of Florida $25 goes to the Florida Junior Golf Council in support of junior golf throughout the state. Every facility in South Florida should have received promotional information about the Golf License Plate Program, and we encourage you to display it at your facility. Please note that grants are available for PGA professionals conducting junior golf camps, clinics, etc. and more information can be found by visiting http://www.fjgc.org/.

3RD ANNUAL PATRIOT GOLF DAY

This year marks the 3rd Annual Patriot Golf Day and already 3,307 facilities across the country have signed up to participate.

Last year as a Section 192 of 367 facilities helped raise $63,000 for the Folds of Honor Foundation, and we are encouraging you to participate this year.

It’s not too late to sign up! Patriot Golf Day 2010 will be held during Labor Day weekend, September 3-6. If you are interested in joining the mission to empower the lives of deserving military families with educational opportunities, then please become a participating facility in 2010! PGA Professionals who host an event and submit funds to the Folds of Honor Foundation will receive TWO MSR Credits. Please visit playgolfamerica.com to sign up your course and download your materials.

quote of the month

“Selecting a stroke is like selecting a wife. To each his own.”

Ben Hogan Professional golfer, on putting

PRO’S ON THE GO

PRO

Scott Reinhart Joseph DeMino Antonio Lefevre Michael Weiler Bill Andre Benjamin McCoy Joseph Higgins David Witt Michael Hattman David A. Green Randall Raimondi Jr.

TO

FROM

unattached A-4 – Gleneagles CC unattached A-4 – Bonita Bay Club unattached A- 1 -Lemon Bay Golf Club, A-15 – Dick;s Sporting Goods A-4 – Tuscany Reserve GC unattached A-4 – Boca Greens CC A-1 – Ironhorse CC

A-1 – The Links at Madison Green A-1 - Boca Country Club B-4 – Grand Lacuna Golf & CC A-1 – Bay Colony Club A-1 Tuscany Reserve GC North Florida Section A-1 – The President CC North Florida Section A-4 – Ballen Isles CC A-4 – Crystal Lake/South Crs A-8 – Ironhorse CC

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SFPGA Moves To New Home in Atlantis

new contact information The South Florida Section is now operating from its new location in Atlantis

South Florida PGA 186 Atlantis Boulevard Atlantis, FL 33462-1111 Phone: 561-729-0544 Fax: 561-729-0914

The South Florida PGA section office recently moved to a new location in Atlantis, Florida. The section purchased an office building on the grounds of Atlantis Country Club.

Formerly located in The PGA of America’s national headquarters in Palm Beach Gardens, the South Florida PGA has a long history of moving. SFPGA spent twenty-five years in Coral Springs, two years at Parkland Country Club, and an additional two years in Palm Beach Gardens. Purchasing a building for the section and settling into a permanent location is exciting for the entire staff and all the South Florida PGA section members.

Above left: SFPGA’s new home in Atlantis Right: lobby view at the new office Bottom right: One conference room at the new Section office

“It’s always been a goal of the South Florida PGA’s Board of Directors to purchase its own building and settle into a permanent home. We are excited to be in a central location to our members.” said Geoff Lofstead, Executive Director.

The City of Atlantis is located in Palm Beach County near Lake Worth, Florida. The City, incorporated in 1959, is home to the Atlantis Country Club and the Atlantis Golf Club. Atlantis Country Club welcomes the South Florida PGA as well.

PGA Director of Golf, Todd Leckrone, said, “ We at Atlantis welcome the South Florida PGA. We started Atlantis as a golfing community over 50 years ago and this gives us a rededication to our original concept. With two golf courses within the city; one open to the public and the other a private equity club owned by the members, we give prospective golfers many options. Atlantis and the SFPGA both have a passion to introduce golf to the beginner and grow the game. We look forward to a long and successful relationship with the South Florida PGA.”

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education Earn More MSR Credits As a member of the PGA you are required to complete 54 MSR credits per three year cycle. As the current MSR cycle quickly approaches please remember of the 54 you must complete 12 in education and 12 in meetings.

The current MSR cycle will end June 15, 2011. As you plan ahead for recertification below are some MSR opportunities available at this time.

FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES FOR MSR CREDITS: September 3, 2010 - Town Hall Forum presented by BoxGroove Coral Springs Country Club - 10AM - 12PM 2 MSR Meeting Credits

November 7, 2010 - Southern Chapter Fall Meeting LaGorce Country Club - 6:30pm 4 MSR Meeting Credits

October 1, 2010 - Town Hall Forum presented by BoxGroove Fountains Country Club - 10AM - 12 PM 2 MSR Meeting Credits

January 27-29, 2011 - PGA Merchandise Show Orlando

October 12, 2010 - Southeast Chapter Meeting Jonathan's Landing Golf Club (East) - 6pm 4 MSR Meeting Credits October 18, 2010 - Southwest Chapter Meeting Worthington Country Club - time TBA 4 MSR Credits November 8, 2010 - Section Education Seminar Atlantis Country Club - 8am-12pm 4 MSR Education Credits

2011 - Annual Meeting of the Membership Location and time TBA 4 MSR Meeting Credits To register for national events, please visit pgashow.com.

To volunteer at Junior Tour or Play Golf America, please call Meredith at 561-729-0544 x105.

To register for any other education meetings or seminars, please visit the website at sflorida.pga.com.

marlins golf day On Sunday, August 8TH, the South Florida PGA hosted a Play Golf America Event at Sun Life Stadium in conjunction with the Marlins Family Fun Day. The Florida Marlins were set to take on the St. Louis Cardinals, but due to bad weather the game was rained out.

Although the weather hindered play of the game, activities taking place in the Fan Zone still went on. Three South Florida PGA Professionals, including Chad Kurmel, Bill Scott, and PGA Apprentice Michael Bove, were on hand providing free ten minute golf lessons and a putting contest to over seventy fans waiting for the rained out game to take place.

Along with free lessons, US Kids, PJ Nardy provided free demos and information to anyone interested in US Kids equipment. The South Florida PGA Play Golf America Event at Sun Life Stadium was a terrific experience and a great opportunity to reach out to those who have never played the game before and hopefully encourage them to get involved in the sport.

PGA Apprentice Michael Bove gives golf lessons

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Two SFPGA Scholarship Recipients The South Florida PGA proudly announces the 2010 Bobby Goodman Scholarship recipient: Jordan Albright of Ft. Myers. The Bobby Goodman Scholarship is a $2,500 grant annually given to a high school senior or college student entering into his/her freshman or sophomore year of undergraduate Jordan Albright studies whose parents orgrandparentseitherworkinorareretiredfromthegolfindustry.

This scholarship is named after PGA Professional Bobby Goodman, a man well known to the South Florida PGA record books. Bobby is recognized for her numerous contributions to the game of golf at all levels. The Bobby Goodman Scholarship Fund was created in 1988 by the South Florida PGA Senior Committee in tribute to the late Bobby Goodman.

Jordan Albright is the daughter of Charles Albright, Assistant Golf Professional at Miromar Lakes Golf Club and Robin Albright, Assistant Golf Professional at Cypress Lake Country Club. Both Charles and Robin are actively involved in the South Florida Golf Community helping to grow the game of golf, and are members of the South Florida PGA Section.

This Spring Jordan graduated from Cypress Lakes High School, where she was ranked 4th in her class of 358 students. During High School Jordan was an active member of the National Honors Society, Spanish Honors Society, and National Honor Society for Dance Arts. Outside of academia Jordan was an avid golfer and dancer, and actively involved in her church ministry.

Throughout high school Jordan received many awards including the Do The Right Thing, Florida Bright Futures, Perfect Attendance, and Scholar Athlete in golf.

This fall Jordan Albright will begin her year of studies at The University of Florida ville. She is interested in obtaining a degree and we wish her the best in her future

freshman in Gainsin Dance, endeavors.

About the Bobby Goodman Scholarship The Bobby Goodman Scholarship is available to high school seniors or college entrants enrolled in his/her freshman or sophomore classes of undergraduate studies whose parents or grandparents are employed in or retired from the golf industry (PGA professionals, superintendents, sales representatives, club managers etc.). Applicants must be permanent residents of the state of Florida. Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (based on a 4.0 system). Application must include a letter of recommendation from a PGA professional. Students may be awarded the Scholarship grant only one time.

The South Florida PGA is proud to announce that Marius Schweiger, Germany native now residing in Fort Myers, is the recipient of the 2010 South Florida PGA Professional Golf Management (PGM) Scholarship at Florida Gulf Coast University.

Marius Schweiger

The South Florida PGA Scholarship Committee selected Schweiger as the recipient of the $2,500 scholarship grant. This fall Schweiger will enter his senior year of studies, working toward his bachelor’s degrees in Finance and Professional Golf Management.

Currently Schweiger is completing an internship at Trump International Golf Club in New Jersey. Previously he completed two internships in South Florida at PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens and The Club at Mediterra in Naples. Along with his work experience, Schweiger has volunteered countless hours to the German Red Cross as a skate-guard monitoring roller-skaters. Most recently Schweiger he has become involved with the Ft. Myers community providing help during the Cape Coral Canal Clean-up, and helping teach youth the game of golf through The First Tee of Naples & Ft. Myers.

Schweiger is seen by his peers as an individual who possesses qualities of strength, devotion and a desire to succeed. Schweiger’s goal is to one day become a General Manager of a golf facility. We wish him the best in all of his future endeavors.

About the SFPGA PGM Scholarship at FCGU This is the second year that the South Florida PGA has awarded the PGM Scholarship at Florida Gulf Coast University. This award was created to off financial assistance to aspiring young men and women in the Professional Golf Management Program. This scholarship is open to all Florida Gulf Coast University students currently enrolled in or entering into his/her junior or senior year of studies in the PGM program. Students must also have completed Level 1 of the PGM program and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0.

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tournament news

South Florida Callaway Golf Assistant’s Professional Championship

Paul Scaletta of The Bear’s Club captured the title at the 31st annual South Florida Callaway Golf Assistant Professional Championship Tuesday by defeating Richard Terga on the pair’s first playoff hole.

Scaletta found himself in a 3-way tie for third after the first round, and tallied eight birdies on the final day to close the margin. Terga, of the John Webster Golf Academy, shot a final-round 68 to force a playoff with Scaletta, but bogeyed the first playoff hole (hole #18) to finish second for the championship.

Aside from winning the Assistant’s title, Scaletta also qualifies for the Callaway Golf PGA Assistant Professional Championship held October 11Left to Right: Paul Scaletta and Kerry Keena; Callway Golf 14 at the PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie. Scaletta will be joined by Terga, Lee Stroever, and Shawn Hall in representing the South Florida Section at the national assistant’s tournament.

Thank you to PGA Head Professional Frank Petitti of Frenchman’s Reserve for hosting this event and providing an excellent playing experience for all participants. An additional thank you to title sponsor Callaway Golf, represented by Kerry Keena, Phil Olive, Joe Baker, Dale Clark and Ann Moon.

Senior Section Championship

Dennis Meyer of Estero posted two straight rounds of four under par 68 at Sailfish Point Golf Club to earn his first South Florida PGA title Friday (Aug.13), the 28th annual Seniors’ Championship.

At 136, Meyer won by three strokes and earned $1,500 from the $12,000 purse plus an additional $209 from the optional bonus pool.

After playing the oceanside course for the first time in a practice round Wednesday, Meyer made five birdies and a bogey each round and kept the final round going with an 18-foot par-saving putt at the par-3 12th hole.

Special thanks to Sailfish Point Golf Club for hosting a great event, and The PGA TOUR for supporting the championship.

Pictured: PGA members Ed Huminick, Gary Baker, Steve Waugh, Ed Sabo, Dennis Meyer, Jerry Tucker, Victor Tortorici, Director of Golf, Gene Fieger, Mike San Filippo Bottom Right: (L to R) PGA members Ken Martin, Victor Tortorici, Sailfish Point Director of Golf, Jim Carr

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tournament news SFPGA Pro- Superintendent Championship

PGA Professional Rod Curl and Superintendent Kevin Downing of Hammock Creek Golf Club combined for a team score of 60 to win the tournament’s Gross division. PGA Professional Eric Veilleux and Superintendent John Ketterheinrich represented The Bear’s Club with score of 58.5 to win the Net division.

These two teams actually tied in both divisions and a winner had to be decided using a scorecard playoff based on the team’s back nine score.

L to R: Rod Curl, PGA Kevin Downing, John Ketterheinrich, Eric Veilleux, PGA

Thanks to our sponsors Global Golf Sales, E-ZGO, Brillyant Resources, and NYX Golf, and thanks to Broken Sound Old Course for hosting a great event.

Global Golf Series #3 Congratulations to PGA member Chris Trout (pictured to the right) of Fort Myers for winning the Global Golf Sales Tournament Series No. 3 conducted by the South Florida PGA Section on Monday at Ritz-Carlton Golf Club.

Thanks to sponsors Global Golf Sales, SunDog Eyewear, GameBook and our host, The Ritz Carlton Golf Club of Jupiter.

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tournament news SFPGA Section Championship

Alan Morin of Lake Worth is the second player to win the South Florida PGA Championship three times.

Trailing Kaufman by one and tied for second with Ken Martin of Village GC, Royal Palm Beach, as they stood on the 18th tee, Morin won as both Kaufman and Martin closed with double bogeys, giving him the win with a tap-in par-4.

Morin’s previous SFPGA championships were in 2002 at BallenIsles CC, Palm Beach Gardens, and 2008 at Breakers Rees Jones, West Palm Beach. The only other three-time winner of the Section Championship was Paul Trittler of Naples, in 1989 (Doral CC), 1991 (Cypress Links) and 1993 (Ibis CC).

Left to Right: McRedmond Morelli, BoxGroove; Mike Budnyk, TaylorMade-adidas; Alan Morin, PGA; David Trout, Ritz-Carlton

The Section Championship was made possible by presenting sponsor TaylorMade-adidas Golf, and supporting sponsors The PGA TOUR, BoxGroove and TaylorMade-adidas Ashworth Golf. Special thanks to the Ritz Carlton Golf Club in Jupiter and Frenchman's Reserve Country Club.

Left to Right: McRedmond Morelli, BoxGroove; Alan Morin, PGA;

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junior news

SFPGA Junior Tour presented by The Honda Classic Event #7 Presented by:

Supported by:

On Thurday and Friday, August 5th and 6th the South Florida PGA Junior Tour Presented by The Honda Classic conducted Event #7 at The Breakers Rees Jones Course in West Palm Beach. The Breakers Rees Jones Course has hosted the South Florida PGA Junior Tour for the past four years, and each year the difficult design and fast green prove to be a challenge for all competitors in the field. Stephen McPoyle of Lake Worth enjoyed the challenges the course presented, firing two rounds of 70 placing him ten shots ahead of his nearest competitor to claim the Boys 14-18 Overall Title. Irvin Matutina of Miami and Luke Graboyes of Palm Beach Gardens tied for second with a two-day total of 150.

L-R: Stephen McPoyle, Tess Huber, Danny St. Louis In the Girls 14-18 Age Division Tess Huber of Port St. Lucie finished atop the leader board shooting 77/75 respectively.

Finishing in second place was Claudia DeAntonio of Weston with a 157, one shot ahead of Annie Dulman of Palm Beach Gardens.

Michael Graboyes of Palm Beach Gardens was the winner of the Boys 12-13 Age Division finishing five shots under par to claiming first place by ten shots to Zachary Bariso of Boca Raton. Stefano Gabriel Butti of Palm City finished in third place with a two day total of 151.

Gabrielle Correia of Palm Beach Gardens finished first in the Girls 12-13 Age Division with a total of 177, in second was Lorena De Antonio of Weston.

SFPGA Junior Tour presented by The Honda Classic Event #8 The South Florida PGA Junior Tour Presented by The Honda Classic conducted Event #8 on the Club Course at The Polo Club of Boca Raton. Along with the challenging course design, players faced extreme heat during the first round, causing many to become ill from heat exhaustion.

However, the heat did not seem to affect Boca Native, Harley Abrams, who shot a 65 during round two to claim the Boys Overall Title by five shots. Finishing in second place was Lake Worth’s, Stephen McPoyle, followed by James Van Nice of Jupiter.

Marissa Kay of Delray Beach clinched the Girls Overall Title by two shots to Annie Dulman of Palm Beach Gardens. Radi Sauro of Lake Worth and Madelyn Tarr of Palm Beach Gardens finished tied for third with two day totals of 155.

L-R: Boys Overall Winner Harley Adams; Sherry Zimet, Head Golf Professional at The Polo Club; Girls Overall Winner Marissa Kay

In the Boys 12-13 Age Division Charlie Kennerly of Jupiter and Carl Chidambaram both finished the event at 143. Kennerly was awarded first place in a scorecard playoff. Zachary Bariso of Boca Raton finished third, three shots behind Kennerly and Chidambaram.

Zora Gittens of Parkland shot a 162 finishing in first place to Story Shaw of West Palm Beach by one shot in the Girls 12-13 Age Division. Samantha Haubenstock of Weston finished in third place.

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chapter news

other news CONGRATULATIONS!

The Southern Chapter has a lot of activity at this time.

Most important is Dave & Julie Carse first anniversary.

Dave is tournament chairman for the Southern Chapter and Julie plays in all Chapter tournaments. Congratulations to them and thank you for a job well done.

On August 9th we held our pro- scratch tournament at La Gorce C.C. hosted by head pro Dave Case who went way out with lunch and dinner and a beautifully conditioned golf course at a landmark facility in Miami Beach.

Thanks to Dave and his staff for a great event. Congratulations to Keith Burt and David Yarmitzki for winning.

On August 16th we had a pro only tournament followed by a seminar at Riviera C.C. Thanks to Will Lust and his staff for putting up with us all day. Congratulations to Chris Toulson for his victory and adding to his player of the year point total.

The seminar consisted of 3 presentations organized by Jared Isaacs, Education Chairman. Nice to be supported by a great staff. The first presentation was by Northwest Mutual who explained how to accumulate some money in today's economy. Next was Chad Kurmel and the legendary Don Law to explain how to profitably grow a junior program and to demonstrate their new teaching kit for juniors or adults to help improve their game. Last was a presentation by David Nunes and Scott Meyer from ISS Co. demonstrating the use of text messaging to increase rounds and lessons. For more info on ISS contact Bob Mallek at Orangebrook G.C. This Saturday we have our 3rd junior clinic at Oriole Golf & Tennis Club from 10am to noon. Jack Shoenfelt already has 50 juniors signed up so we could use some volunteers to help out.

Patriot Days is fast approaching and we need you to sign up to get your advertising packet in time.This is a most worthy cause and I would regard it as a personal favor to help out.

Lastly, please purchase your junior license plate at any time.. Next event is the pro-pro blind draw 6-6-6 at Turnberry Isle August 30th. Please call Turnberry pro shop to sign up.

Thanks for reading, Dick McNeill

PGA Member Gary Baker has been selected as the 2010 Florida State Senior Honoree. Gary will be honored at the Bobby Goodman Pro-Am for State Seniors at Naples Beach Club October 14, 2010.

THANK YOU! The Junior Tour thanks Admirals Cove’s PGA members Sean Burke-McDermott, Matthew King, Ryan Zug, and Thomas Sedita and the rest of Admiral’s Cove staff for their recent donation of $1200, and St. Andrews Country Club PGA members Glenn Hall, Paul Clivio, Terry Farino, Benjamin Bauer and the rest of the St. Andrews staff for their generous donation of $500.

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education rules with drew

Serious Breach??

13-4 implies that a breach of the rule occurs only when the club is in the player’s hand. In this situation the player threw the club and was no longer in contact with it, thus he could not be in breach of Rule 13-4. It is similar to the player throwing the rake into the bunker.

A player takes relief from an area of bushes under Rule 28c and drops his ball within two club-lengths of the spot where the ball lay, not nearer the hole. While taking some practice swings, the player accidentally hits his ball about a foot and a half closer to the hole. The player then chips the ball from its new location onto the green and completes the hole with two putts. After picking his ball out of the hole the player walks over to his fellow competitor and says, “You know, I really didn’t mean to hit that ball.” The player explains to his fellow competitor what happened and the fellow competitor says, “Isn’t that the Davis Love Rule?” They agree and the player says he is going to play two balls under Rule3-3. Is the player permitted to play two balls in this case? And if so, which ball counts under the Rules of Golf?

SFPGA TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR ANDREW MILLER

The Senior Section Championship played earlier this month at Sailfish Point provided our Rules Committee an opportunity to work a little overtime. Don’t get me wrong, our situations were no where near as complicated or controversial as what transpired during the final round of the PGA Championship, but they were interesting enough to include in this month’s segment.

A player’s ball lies in a bunker. He strikes his ball and hits it only a few feet leaving the ball in the bunker. In disgust, the player throws down his club striking the sand in the bunker. Is the player in breach of Rule 13-4? Decision 13-4/35 says, “A player made a stroke in a bunker and failed to get the ball out. He then swung his club into the sand, but his action did not affect his new lie in the bunker. However, since the player had to make another stroke in the bunker, was he in breach of rule 13-4? Yes. None of the exceptions under Rule 13-4 apply to the player’s action.” In addition to Decision 13-4/35, Rule 13-4b tells us that while our ball is in a hazard we may not, “Touch the ground in the hazard or water in the water hazard with our hand or a club.”

Based on Rule 13-4 and Decision 13-4/35 it would seem that the player would be penalized two strokes for breach of Rule 13-4 in this situation. However, Decision’s 13-4/21 and 13-4/0.5 steer us toward a different solution? Decision 13-4/21 says, “A player’s ball lies in a bunker. He casually throws a rake into the bunker for use after his stroke. The rake does not move his ball or improve the lie of the ball. Does the player incur a penalty? No. Placing a rake in a bunker is permissible. In this case, throwing the rake into the bunker was the equivalent of placing it.”

Further clarification for not penalizing the player comes from reading Decision 13-4/0.5 which says that a player may place his clubs in a hazard. So is the player penalized or not? Well, Rule

Before ruling there are several things we must clear up. First, Rule 3-3 tells us, “In stroke play, if a competitor is doubtful of his rights or the correct procedure during the play of a hole, he may, without penalty, complete the hole with two balls.” So, the player was permitted to invoke Rule 3-3. The Rule goes on to say that, “the competitor must announce to his marker or a fellow competitor that he intends to play two balls and which ball he wishes to count if the Rules permit.” In this instance, the competitor did mention his intention to play two balls however he neglected to say which one he wished to count as his score if the rules allowed. Therefore we must proceed under Rule 3-3bii which tells us, “If the competitor fails to announce in advance his decision to complete the hole with two balls, or which ball he wishes to count, the score with the original ball counts, provided it has been played in accordance with the Rules. If the original ball is not one of the balls being played, the first ball put into play counts, provided it has been played in accordance with the Rules. Other wise, the score with the other ball counts if the Rules allow the procedure adopted for that ball.” According to Rule 3-3 the score for the hole must be determined from the second ball because the first ball was played from a wrong place and thus not played in accordance with the Rules.

Rule 3-3 tells us the score with the second ball is the one we should be counting, but lets take a look at Rule 20-7c, Playing from a Wrong Place, and see if we get the same answer? Rule 20-7c says, “If a competitor makes a stroke from a wrong place, he incurs a penalty of two strokes under the applicable Rule.

He must play out the hole with the ball played from the wrong place, without correcting his error, provided he has not committed a serious breach. If a competitor becomes aware that he has played from a wrong place and believes that he may have committed a serious breach, he must, before making a stroke on the next teeing ground, play out the hole with a second ball played in accordance with the Rules.” Rule 20-7c tells us the score with the original ball is the one we should be counting when deter-

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education rules with drew

Serious Breach?? ...cont

mining the player’s score, provided the player has not committed a serious breach. So determining whether the player committed a serious breach is the key to solving which ball we should have counted for the players score for the hole.

There is no real rule to refer to help us determine what a serious breach of the rules encompasses. However, there are many examples of serious breaches in the Decisions on the Rules of Golf book to help guide us in making a decision. All factors should be considered, such as condition (rough to fairway), length (100 yards vs 2 feet) or whether the players swing was impeded.

One of the main factors to consider is whether the player gained a significant advantage. In this case, did the player gain a significant advantage by playing the ball a foot and a half closer to the hole than its original position? In my opinion, this was not a serious breach of Rule 20-7 since the player didn’t gain a significant advantage by playing the ball a mere 18 inches closer to the hole.

Further clarification to our situation is added by reading Decision 3-3/2 which states, “In stroke play, a competitor's ball comes to rest through the green on a paved path. He lifts the ball, drops it off the path at a point almost two club-lengths from the nearest point of relief (i.e., he drops in a wrong place) and plays it. The competitor's marker advises the competitor that he (the marker) believes the ball must be dropped within one club-length of the nearest point of relief. The competitor, in doubt, invokes Rule 3-3, drops a second ball within one club-length of the nearest point of relief and otherwise in accordance with Rule 24-2b(i) and opts to score with the second ball. The competitor holes out with both balls. What is the ruling? Rule 20-7c states in part: "If a competitor makes a stroke from a wrong place, he incurs a penalty of two strokes under the applicable Rule. He must play out the hole with the ball played from the wrong place…." Thus, the competitor's score with the original ball, with a penalty of two strokes added, must count. Rule 20-7c does not permit the second ball to count. However, the competitor incurs no penalty for having played the second ball.”

In summary, as the player was not guilty of a serious breach of Rule 20-7, he was penalized two strokes for playing from a wrong place.

Thus his score with the original ball is the one which counts for his score for the hole. If however the player was ruled to be guilty of a serous breach of Rule 20-7, then the score with the second ball played under Rule 3-3 would have counted.

upcoming events September 11-12 Junior Tour #9 Presented by the Honda Classic Supported by Titleist, Allianz Championship, Don Law Golf Improvement Center Held at the Sanctuary Golf Club

September 28-29 SFPGA Professional Championship Presented by Titleist, FootJoy, Cobra & Club Car & Mercedes-Benz Held at Quail Valley Golf Club October 1 P.A.T. Held at San Carols Golf Club October 11 Miccosukee Open Qualifier Held at Plantation Preserve / Jacaranda October 12-13 Challenge Cup Matches Supported by Jack Nicklaus Sportswear Held at Bay Colony Golf Club October 14 Bobby Goodman Pro-Am Held at Naples Beach Club October 15-17 Florida State Senior Open Supported by The Naples Beach Hotel & GC & Pepsi Held at Naples Beach Club October 16-17 Junior Tour #10 Presented by the Honda Classic Supported by Titleist, Allianz Championship, Don Law Golf Improvement Center Held at Jonathan’s Landing Old Trail October 20-23 First State PGA Tour Q-School Held at PGA Golf Club - Wanamaker October 26-27 Senior Challenge Cup Matches Held at West Bay Club

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a message from KBS Shafts - supporting sponsor of the E-Z-GO South Florida Open

KBS Tour shafts continue to display superior performance on the 2010 Professional Tours with 6 wins, 60+ top 10 finishes, and the #1 spot in the FedEx Cup for a Record Setting period of time (22+ consecutive weeks). Additionally, KBS Tour shafts have led the 2010 regular season in Scoring Average and Money Earned for over 70% of the season.

The performance is undeniable. From industry renowned shaft designer Kim Braly, the KBS Tour shaft tightens shot accuracy while enhancing player feel & performance. We invite SFPGA member to try KBS for themselves and feel the difference.

Please Contact KBS to Inquire For Your Discounted PGA Member Set (And, as an added benefit we’ll send an additional free set for your assistant pro) www.KBSshafts.com • (303) 444-2226 Ext. 5 • erichubbell@fstshafts.com

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