August2010

TOPICS NEWSLETTER

VOLUME 16, NO. 4 - AUGUST 2010

Pro Pro Championship - page 7

Pro - Assistant Championship - page 8

Senior Super Senior - page 8 Kids Fitness Festival - page 9

WHAT’S INSIDE: Pro-Pro Championship Hall of Fame Inductees Pros on the Go Statewide Pro-Assistant ...and more!

Hall of Fame Inductees - page 5

chip shots

NEW MEMBERS

The South Florida PGA would like to welcome the following new members to the Section: Timothy Knowles, PGA Peter Stracka III, PGA Jamieson Wierenga, PGA

A-8 A-8 A-8

Crown Colony Golf & C.C. Hunters Ridge Golf Club Atlantis Country Club

NEW APPRENTICES

The South Florida PGA would like to welcome the following new apprentices to the Section: Jordan Burke

B-8 Wyndemere Country Club Brett Burton B-8 Lost Tree Club Daniel Butts B-8 Royal Poinciana Golf Club Michael Collins B-8 Wildcat Run Golf & CC Brendan Flood B-8 Hobe Sound Golf Club Stephen Keller B-8 PGA National Golf Club Ryan LaVoie B-8 Jonathan’s Landing GC @ Old Trail Christopher Meyer B-8 Frenchman’s Reserve Thomas Shelton B-6 Rick Smith G Academy @ Tiburon

PGA CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM

The South Florida PGA would like to congratulate Michael DeJordy, PGA on earning his third certification in Executive Management through The PGA Certified Professional Program.

IN MEMORY OF ROBERT “BOB” MORRISON, PGA

Robert ‘Bob’ Morrison, PGA passed away June 30, 2010 at age 54. Bob is survived by his mother Nora McKenna. The South Florida PGA sends its condolences and prayers to the Morrison family.

QUARTER CENTURY CLUB

contact information SOUTH FLORIDA SECTION, PGA OF AMERICA 100 Avenue of the Champions Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418 PHONE / FAX 561-624-7676 / 561-624-8576 EMAIL sflorida@pgahq.com WEBSITE www.sflorida.pga.com PRESIDENT Stephen A. Cox, PGA VICE PRESIDENT Brian Peaper, PGA

Congratulations to PGA members Robert Impaglia and David McQuade on their induction into the Quarter Century Club, joining an outstanding group of individuals who have been PGA members for over 25 years.

SECRETARY Warren Bottke, PGA

2010 SFPGA LAS VEGAS TRAVEL PRO-AM - ONLY TWO TEAM SPOTS AVAILABLE

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Jeff Raimer, PGA

Join the SFPGA for its Las Vegas Travel Pro-Am! PGA Professionals stay and play for free (airfare not included) and the amateur contestant fee is $1,875 per person, single occupancy, and does not include airfare (accompanying guest fee is $299). The Pro-Am runs Sunday-Thursday, October 3-7 and golf will be played on Paiute Golf Resort’s Wolf Course, at Arroyo Golf Club and at Bear’s Best, with accommodations at Caesar’s Palace. Contact Meredith at 561-624-7657 for additional information.

MSR REQUIREMENTS

The current MSR cycle ends June 15, 2011 and the requirements for the three year cycle is 54 credits. Please be aware that there are two required fields. The Education requirement is 12 credits and the Meeting requirement is 12 credits. The remaining credits can be earned under several different categories. See MSR requirements at PGAlinks.com. For more information on MSR credits, please see page 4 of this newsletter or visit the website at sflorida.pga.com.

JUNIOR TOUR VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

The South Florida PGA is in the midst of another successful year of junior golf. To continue our successful 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 561-624-7657 with your availability.

PAT

Congratulations to all who passed the Player Ability Test (PAT) held at The Royal Palm Country Club on Thursday, June 24, 2010.

Philip Brooks Daniel Butts Michael Cavaseno Kimberly Darrow Thomas Shelton Jeff Skubick Ryan Weir Michael Williams

SOUTHERN CHAPTER PRESIDENT Dick McNeill, PGA 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

2

chip shots section news

APPRENTICE LEVELS Brett Burton Daniel Butts John Chambers Shawn Costello Benjamin Kitts Timothy Knowles, PGA Ryan LaVoie Christopher Meyer Kyle Mills Randy Mullen William Roberson Thomas Shelton Peter Stracka III, PGA Jamieson Wierenga, PGA

PASSED

Lost Tree Club Royal Poinciana Golf Club Dunes Country Club Broken Sound Club - Old Course Arrowhead Golf Course Crown Colony Golf & C.C. Jonathan’s Landing GC @ Old Tr Frenchman’s Reserve Miromar Lakes Golf Club Orangebrook Golf Course Doral Golf Resort & Spa Rick Smith G Academy Hunters Ridge Golf Club Atlantis Country Club

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

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 1,325 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.

Patriot Golf Day 2010 will again be held during the 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.

The 2010 Patriot Golf Day kits will be mailed to all registered facilities. Kit contents include a poster, flyer, tent cards, suggested guidelines for hosting the event as well as Best Practices. Registration is available at www.PatriotGolfDay. com.

WELCOME NEW SFPGA SPONSOR The South Florida Section is pleased to welcome Brillyant Resources, a new sponsor to the SFPGA. Brillyant Resources produces Optymus, a new, smart, organic fertilizer. This proprietary organic creation combines a soil matrix infused with mineral nutrients that leverages the latest technology to produce countless microbial colonies. The organic liquid and solid fertilizers sustain microbial revitalization, which improves soil structure, enriches and creates vigorous plant root growth, and eliminates thatch.

Superintendents have been hearing about microbes for years, and finally there is an odorless, locally manufactured, application available to golfers now. Brillyant has accomplished this after years of scientific research, development, and testing. This process is so unique our proprietary matrix has been branded and trademarked Optymus.

It produces countless micro biological colonies; increases moisture infiltration and permeability; reduces erosion and runoff; buffers pH in soil; enables soil to retain nutrients for extended periods of time; reduces the need for pesticides; improves water quality; eliminates the need for synthetic/chemical fertilizers; is surprisingly affordable, and best of all reduces costs!

Brillyant Resources, a Florida based company, now provides organic microbial liquid and solid fertilizers and amendments to the agriculture community, with substantial results and positive impacts to businesses. This organic micro riser based fertilizer has the ability to adapt and change to meet specific needs, and because it is able to sustain its yield for extended periods, maximizes revenue and controls and reduces costs. For a testimonial, contact Charlie DeLucca or Roly Molina at (305) 633-4583. For a free soil test, pricing, or more information contact Jim Kiely at (954) 224-0994, or visit their website at www.brillyantresources.com.

quote of the month

“Golf: the worst damn fun anybody ever had.”

Cy Manier Professional golfer

3

chip shots section news

PRO’S ON THE GO

PRO

TO

FROM

A-13 Boca Lago Country Club

unattached A-1 Hunter’s Run A-11 PGA of America A-1 Shell Point GC A-9 Mayacoo Lakes CC unattached A-13 Miccosukee CC unattached unattached

unattached A-13 Miles Grant Country Club A-8 Bonita Bay East A-4 Colorado Section A-8 CC of Naples A-16 Jim Fazio Golf Design A-4 Riviera CC inactive A-1 Lemon Bay GC, Englewood A-1 The Links at Madison Green

Stephen O’Neill Leo McMahon Steven Pinger Corey Aurand Michael Raber Bruce Zabriski John Farrell Jeff Wilson Leon Oliver Scott Reinhart

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 meeting.

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

FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES FOR MSR CREDITS: August 5-6, 2010 - Junior Tour Event #7 volunteers needed Breakers Rees Jones 1 MSR Credit per hour worked Contact Meredith at 561-624-7657 August 8, 2010 - Play Golf America Day Florida Marlin's Game - volunteers needed to give free 10 minute golf lessons to game attendees - 11:30am-3pm 1 MSR Credit per hour worked Contact Meredith at 561-624-7657

October 12, 2010 - Southeast Chapter Meeting Jonathan's Landing Golf Club (East) - 6pm 4 MSR Credits October 18, 2010 - Southwest Chapter Meeting Worthington Country Club - time TBA 4 MSR Credits November 7, 2010 - Section Education Seminar Atlantis Country Club - 8am-12pm 4 MSR Credits

August 10, 2010 - Southwest Chapter Meeting Grey Oaks Country Club - 10AM - 12PM 2 MSR Credits

January 27-29, 2011 - PGA Merchandise Show Orlando

Aug 17 -18, 2010 - 2010 PGA Fall Expo Education Conference Las Vegas Up to 20 MSR Credits for meetings & seminars

2011 - Annual Meeting of the Membership Location and time TBA 4 MSR Credits

September 3, 2010 - Southern Chapter Meeting Coral Springs Country Club - 10AM - 12PM 2 MSR Credits

To register for national events, please visit pgashow.com.

October 1, 2010 - South East Chapter Meeting Fountains Country Club - 10AM - 12 PM 2 MSR Credits

To volunteer at Junior Tour or Play Golf America, please call Meredith at 561-624-7657.

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

4

Two New Inductees for the SFPGA Hall of Fame

Dennis Walters

Dennis Walters, one of golf ’s most popular and besttraveled trick-shot entertainers and motivational speakers, and Roger Woonton, longtime Advisory Board member of the SFPGA and faithful supporter of the local golf community are the newest inductees into the SFPGA Hall of Fame.

The ninth annual awards dinner / induction ceremony is scheduled for mid November.

Walters and Woonton will be the 24th and 25th inductees since the SFPGA Hall of Fame was established in 2002.

Dennis Walters, a popular trick shot artist and motivational speaker, is paralyzed from the waist down. Although his dream was to play for the PGA Tour, Walters determined to never give up playing golf, and thus a new career was born. Walters uses his personal experience to challenge and encourage young people to never give up. He travels the world and performs the “Dennis Walters Golf Show” to inspire children to achieve their dreams. Each year he performs a special local show and draws up to 700 elementary students from Broward, Dade and Palm Beach County.

Walters is one of eleven honorary lifetime members of the PGA of America. In 2008, The PGA of America presented him with their highest honor, The Distinguished Service Award. In 2009, Dennis was appointed a spokesperson and national ambassador for The First Tee. Don Law, fellow PGA member, said, “Dennis has spent a lifetime encouraging young people through his gift for golf and is an unbelievable ambassador of hope for all.”

Walters is delighted to be inducted. “I very much appreciate the honor of being inducted into the South Florida PGA Golf Hall of Fame. The game of golf has always been such a big part of my life. After my accident, my love of the game helped me get through some of the darkest days of my life and led me to a career that I am very proud of.

This 34 year journey began in South Florida . I am honored to join other South Floridians in the Hall of Fame.”

Roger Woonton has served faithfully on the South Florida Section PGA advisory board for seventeen consecutive years beginning in 1993 and continues to do so today. Woonton has been instrumental in helping establish many of the South Florida PGA’s successful programs, including the GolfPass program, SFPGA Junior Tour, SFPGA Charitable Founda-

tion and the Section Hall of Fame. Woonton was one of the primary people responsible for recruiting individuals to join the Grilleroom / Foundation Club that generated over $200,000 for South Florida junior golf and other charitable Roger Woonton programs. He has a long history of serving various charities and the local golf community.

Woonton said, “I am very thankful to the nominating committee and for all the votes. It’s quite an honor and I’m just overwhelmed with gratitude.”

Geoff Lofstead, South Florida PGA Executive Director, said about the two inductees, “Both of these individuals have made a significant impact in many lives and local charities and certainly deserve this honor of being inducted into the SFPGA Hall of Fame.”

The criteria for nomination is based on a person, professional or amateur, having significantly impacted the South Florida golfing community through dedication and contributions to the game while possessing recognizable achievements and being a unifying force in golf. Inductees must have at least 10 years of service to the game of golf within South Florida and have made outstanding contributions to the Section or service to the section.

Inductees are selected by a committee comprised of the SFPGA executive board, former section presidents, previous inductees and selected at-large members. Nominations are made by a separate committee. Both committees consist of over 40 PGA professionals.

Previous inductees include: 2009 – Joe Lopez Sr and Kevin Marrone 2008 – Patty Berg 2007 – Don Beattie and Bob Toski 2006 – John Nelson and Craig Perna 2005 – Julius Boros and Lynn Josephson 2004 – Mike McLellan and Sam Smidt 2003 – Burl Dale, Charles DeLuca Jr., Laurie Hammer, John LaPonzina, Harry Pezzullo and Dr. Gary Wiren 2002 – Ed Ficker, Bobby Goodman, Roger Kennedy Sr., Jack Nicklaus, W.A. (Dub) Pagan and Henry Watkins Jr.

5

A Word from An Apprentice Michael Bove B-8 Assistant Golf Professional What is your progress in the PGM/PGA Program?

Have you passed your PAT? What level are you currently working on?

Yes, I passed my PAT in May 2010 at PGA Golf Club. I am currently studying for my level 2 checkpoint which I am scheduled to take this Fall.

Where are you from? Where did/do you go to school and what did/do you study?

I was born Patterson NJ, and grew up in Long Valley, NJ. Upon graduating from West Morris Central High School I attended Elon University in North Carolina. I graduated from Elon in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree, majoring in psychology. Two great experiences during my years at Elon where studying abroad in Australia, and interning as a Recruitment Admissions Officer for the Office of Admissions. Both experiences afforded me the opportunity to travel domestically and internationally throughout the United States, and Australia.

Where do you currently work?

Where have you worked? What have been your job responsibilities?

I currently work as the Golf Equipment Manager at Boca West Country Club in Boca Raton where I manage the retail department, all hard goods purchasing, promotion, and sales. Furthermore, I run all demo events throughout the season, and operate our club repair concession.

Before working at Boca West Country Club I’ve had the great opportunity to work at various types of golf facilities such as Minebrook Golf Club, NJ (public course), and Alamance Country Club, NC (private course). During my time at each facility I managed outside operations, ran men’s and ladies golf tournaments, visually merchandised golf shops, and operated inventory systems to receive all merchandise. Both golf clubs provided me with the experiences to be successful at Boca West Country Club, a private, four-course facility with approximately 1,800 golfing members. Even more so than my previous work experiences, working under talented, and respected professionals in the golf industry such as: Emily Gifford, Gary Danback, Steve Oaks, and Grant Hauk have truly defined my career aspirations.

What inspired you to pursue golf as your career? What are your goals?

After graduating from Elon in 2006 I recalled all the fun I had when working in the golf industry. Subsequently, I did research on the profession, and learned of the many and diverse career paths a Golf Professional can assume. Shortly thereafter I realized I wanted to pursue a career as a Golf Professional. My goals are to continue to expand our retail operations at Boca West Country Club, and eventually work at another high-end private golf facility, working under a proven leader in the industry.

What are your other hobbies besides golf?

Other hobbies outside of golf consist of working out, watching movies, going to dinner, and hanging out with my wife Helga and our pets.

Favorite golf moment?

Without question my favorite golf moment is one you definitely did not see on The Golf Channel, or SportsCenter…

During her first round of golf every played, my wife birdied the par 3 16th hole at Alamance Country Club. I have to admit that Tiger Woods chip in on the 16th during the 2005 Masters tournament is certainly a close second.

Apprentices: are you interested in being featured in our newsletter? Contact Corrie at cedwards@pgahq.com or call her at 561-624-7670 for more information.

REMINDER: The South Florida Section moves to its new office in August 2010.

Our new address is as follows:

South Florida PGA 186 Atlantis Boulevard Atlantis, FL 33462-1111 More information to follow in the September newsletter.

6

tournament news Pro-Pro Championship

Jarryd Wood and Manny Zerman played Miami Beach Golf Club for their second round at the 2010 Pro-Pro Championship and shot a 5-under par 67. Wood and Zerman’s first round 60 at La Gorce Country Club was enough to hang on and claim the championship with winnings of $1,528.87 apiece.

Thanks to both La Gorce Country Club and Miami Beach Golf Club for hosting a great event. Full field results may be found at sflorida.pga.com.

Image Captions: Above Image: Winners Jarryd Wood and Manny Zerman

Middle Right Image: Arlen Bento Jr., GolfBuddy; Jarryd Wood; Manny Zerman; Kevin Holt, GolfBuddy

Bottom Right Image: SFPGA President Stephen Cox, Kevin Holt, Jarryd Wood, Arlen Bento Jr., Manny Zerman, Warren Bottke, Steve Sponder, Steve Farrell, Wright Chandler, Guy Spears and Alyssa Putnam

Special thanks to our sponsors Global Golf Sales GolfBuddy & Golf Pride Grips

7

tournament news Senior Super Senior The team of PGA Professionals Ed Sabo and Ed Ficker combined to shoot an eight under par score of 63 to win the 3rd Annual Senior – Super Senior Event. Finishing one stroke behind were 2009 Champions; Jerry Tucker and Richard Bassett and the team of Gary Baker and Ted Hayes.

Forty-two South Florida PGA members and apprentices comprising of 21 teams competed in the 3rd Annual Senior – Super Senior Event held at Frenchman’s Reserve in Palm Beach Gardens.

L to R: Senior Super Senior winners Ed Sabo and Ed Ficker

The event was an 18-hole, 6-6-6 competition in which 6 holes were scramble, 6 holes were better ball and 6 holes were a modified Pinehurst format. Teams were comprised of two South Florida PGA Professionals, one aged 50-64 and the other 65 and older.

Special thanks to Frenchman's Reserve for hosting a fantastic event.

Statewide Pro-Assistant Chris Toulson and Chris Green, representing the Jim McLean Golf School in Doral, combined for a 17 under par two round total to claim the 18th Annual Statewide PGA Pro-Assistant Championship. The Championship took place at Grey Oaks Country Club on both the Estuary and Pine courses.

Playing the Estuary course in the morning for round one, Toulson and Green had two eagles and six birdies to shoot 62, 10 under par. They followed that up in the afternoon on the Pine course with seven birdies to shot 65.

They didn’t make a single bogey during the 36-hole four-ball stroke play event.

L-R: Leslye Dyke, Chris Toulson, Chris Green, Kevin Holt

Finishing in second place at 13 under par was the team of Dan Gawronski and Scott Richardson, representing LaPlaya Golf Club. 2009 Champions, Jeff Fitzherbert and Shawn Hall, from Ballen Isles Country Club finished at 11 under par for the championship.

Special thanks to Grey Oaks Country Club for hosting a great event.

8

in other news...

SFPGA participates in annual Kids Fitness Festival On Wednesday and Thursday, July 14th and 15th the South Florida PGA was privileged to participate in the 16th Annual Kids Fitness Festival of the Palm Beaches. The festival was hosted by the Palm Beach County Convention Center and presented by the Ronald McDonald House of Charities.

Over 5,000 elementary and middle school students attended the event and participated in over 35 different sport clinics from golf to track & field and much more. South Florida PGA Professionals Terry Farino and Gary Benoit, along with PGA Apprentice Michael Bove gave hundreds of lessons to the juniors in attendance during the event.

“This event is a great way for the SFPGA to get involved in the community and support programs that strive to improve and support the health and well being of children,” said Meredith Schuler, Operations Manager. “We had a blast with the kids and look forward to participating again next year!”

Left Below: PGA Apprentice Mike Bove Left Bottom Corner: PGA Professional Terry Farino gives lessons Center: Even the Chic-Fil-A cow needs a golf lesson!

Above: Gary Benoit, PGA gives a lesson Below: Children pose at the SFPGA area

9

junior news

SFPGA Junior Tour presented by The Honda Classic Event #5 Presented by:

Supported by:

The South Florida PGA Junior Tour Presented by the Honda Classic conducted the fifth event of the season on Thursday and Friday, July 8th and 9th at Normandy Shores Golf Club in Miami. Harley Abrams of Boca Raton and Shelby Coyle of Pembroke Pines were the Overall Champions in the Boys and Girls Age Divisions.

Abrams entered round two tied for the lead at one under par, and was able to hold on by three shots to Rohan RamL-R: Steve Farrell, PGA - Director of Golf at Normandy nath of Weston, who Shores and Miami Beach, Harley Abrams, Shelby Coyle, finished second. Coyle Andy Forbes, PGA Apprentice began the second round tied for second and five shots back from Samantha Smolen of Lake Worth. Smolen shot a 67 during round, a record career low, however it was Coyle who was able to respond to Smolen’s round shooting a 66 in round two, winning by one shot.

In the Boys 12-13 Age Division Stefano Gabriel Butti of Palm City finished first with at 143, three shots ahead of Matthew Mourin of Miami Lakes and four shots ahead of Michael Graboyes and Andrew Kozan of Palm Beach Gardens. Samantha Haubenstock of Weston shot a career low of 73 to claim the Girls 12-13 Age Division title, finished in second was Emily Faulkner of Palm City, followed by Zora Gittens.

Thanks to Normandy Shores Golf Club in Miami for hosting a great event.

10

junior news continued...

SFPGA Junior Tour presented by The Honda Classic Event #6 The South Florida PGA Junior Tour Presented by The Honda Classic conducted round 1 of event #6 Thursday, July 22nd at Old Corkscrew Golf Club in Estero, FL. With the threat of Tropical Storm Bonnie forecasted for round 2, the event was shortened to eighteen holes.

The difficult Jack Nicklaus design challenged all players in the field, but it was Stefano Diaz of Miami who was able conquer the course by shooting the only sub par round of the event. Diaz claimed victory by one shot to Jake Sherwin of Cape Coral. Finishing in a tie for third was Joseph Mazzola of Bonita Springs and Armando Hernandez-Robles of Miami who both shot 73.

In the Girls 14-18 Overall Division Georgia Price was able to play steady through all eighteen holes shooting a 74, six shots ahead of her nearest competitor Tess Huber of Port St. Lucie, and seven shots ahead of Ashley Burke of Boynton Beach.

In the Boys 12-13 Age Division Nick Gagliardi of Tequesta finished first by carding a 77. Michael Conforti of Palm Beach Gardens finished in second, two shots behind Gagliardi and two shots ahead of Landon Weber of Bonita Springs who finished in third. Briana Gagliardi, brother of Nick shot a 98 to finish in first for the Girls 12-13 Age Division.

The next South Florida PGA Junior Tour will be held August 5th and 6th at The Breakers Rees Jones in West Palm Beach.

The South Florida PGA Junior Tour is proudly presented by The Honda Classic and supported by Titleist, Don Law Golf Improvement Center, Allianz Championship, The Fun Group at Mirasol, and ParKit Golf. Thanks to Old Corkscrew Golf Club for hosting this junior tour event.

L-R: Stefano Diaz and Georgia Price - Overall winners of the SFPGA Junior Tour Event #6 at Old Corkscrew Golf Club.

11

education rules with drew

Did Somebody Cry Wolf?

SFPGA TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR ANDREW MILLER

Last month during the Pro-Pro Championship, contested at Miami Beach Golf Club and La Gorce Country Club in South Beach, I saw something on the golf course I’ve never seen before. No, I’m not talking about the crows stealing golf balls, I’m talking about the giant wolf (see picture below) situated within one of the water hazards at La Gorce. I was told the wolf is used to scare away geese. Due to the frequency of which I received rules inquiries regarding the object, I decided to devote this month’s Rules with Drew segment to explore possible rulings regarding the obstruction.

When I was presented with rules inquiries regarding the wolf, the first thing I wanted to do was define the wolf. The wolf was definitely an obstruction, but was it a movable or immovable obstruction? “An obstruction is a movable obstruction if it may be moved without unreasonable effort, without unduly delaying play and without causing damage. Otherwise, it is an immovable obstruction.” As it turns out, the wolf is movable. In fact the club moves it every other month so the geese don’t get use to its location.

The first possible rules situation I would like to share is your ball is located in the lateral hazard so close to the wolf that he interferes with your stance or area of intended swing. What relief, if any is available? As the wolf is a movable obstruction, the wolf may be moved and you may play your ball as it lies. If your ball moves in the process of removing the wolf, you may replace your ball without penalty. Now what would be the ruling if your ball came to rest on top of the wolf? You

would take relief by lifting the ball, then removing the wolf and finally dropping the ball directly under the place where the ball lay in or on the obstruction, but not nearer the hole. The ball must be dropped in the hazard and may be cleaned. Does the ruling change if your ball is outside of the hazard? No, if your ball lies outside of the hazard and the wolf interferes with your stance or area of intended swing, the wolf may be removed and your balled played as it lies.

What would be the ruling if in the process of removing the wolf, one of the cleats used to anchor the obstruction into the ground raised a tuft of grass in front of your ball thus interfering with the lie of your ball? Decision 20-3b/3 tells us that since the player removed the stake himself, “he would have to accept any resultant worsening of the lie.” The Decision also tells us that had a marshal, another player or another players caddie removed the wolf and the removal caused damage, then the player, in equity could have the lie restored. Now I know what you’re thinking, “Why wouldn’t I always have another player or his caddie remove an obstruction interfering with my play if I can always correct any damage done?” The reason is if the player sanctions the removal of the obstructions, he is no longer entitled to repair any damage done during the removal.

Let’s switch gears now and pretend the wolf is an immovable obstruction. How does changing its status affect the ruling? If your ball lies outside the lateral hazard and the wolf interferes with your stance or area of intended swing, you may take relief by, “lifting your ball and dropping it without penalty within one club length of and not nearer the hole than the nearest point of relief.” Now, what if your ball is located within the lateral hazard and the wolf interferes with your stance or area of intended swing? Note #1 under Rule 24-2 tells us, “If a ball is in a water hazard (including a lateral water hazard), the player may not

12

education rules with drew

Did Somebody Cry Wolf? ...cont

take relief from interference by an immovable obstruction. The player must play the ball as it lies or proceed under Rule 26-1.” What would be the ruling if your ball lies outside the lateral hazard and although the wolf does not interfere with your stance or area of intended swing, it does interfere with you mentally? Meaning, you can see the wolf out of the corner of your eye and it is distracting you. Are you permitted to take relief from an immovable obstruction which causes mental interference? Decision 24-2a/1 tells us that a player may not take relief from an immovable obstruction which causes mental inference.

What would happen if the wolf (immovable obstruction) interfered with your stance or area of intended swing and you removed the obstruction? Decision 13-2/15 asks, “A player’s swing is interfered with by an immovable obstruction. The player and his caddie, with great effort, remove the obstruction. Is the player subject to penalty? Yes, for breach of Rule 13-2. An immovable obstruction is something fixed. Rule 13-2 prohibits a player from improving the area of his intended swing by moving anything fixed.”

Lastly, let’s say your ball is outside the lateral hazard and you take relief from the wolf under Rule 24-2bi determining your nearest point of relief and you drop your ball. You strike the ball and during your follow thru you hit the wolf.

What is the penalty, if any? Decision 20-2c/6 states, “A player correctly determines the nearest point of relief from an immovable obstruction and drops the ball within the area prescribed by Rule 24-2b. However, when the player makes the stroke, his club strikes the obstruction. Is he subject to penalty under Rule 20-2c for not re-dropping the ball when there was still interference by the obstruction?

Yes, however, there would be no penalty if the reason that the club struck the obstruction was due to the club traveling a significantly different path than originally intended due to an unexpected occurrence (e.g., because the player’s feet slipped or he was stung by a bee.)”

The shear size and uniqueness of the wolf could cause some uncertainty when presented with rules inquiries to solve regarding it, but I feel a good rule of thumb is to not get caught up in what the obstruction looks like but to just identify it for what it is and then make the appropriate call.

Hope you’ve enjoyed this month’s segment and I hope to see you this month at the Pro-Superintendent Championship, Senior Section Championship, Global Golf Sales Tournament Series Finale or Section Championship presented by: TaylorMade-adidas.

upcoming events August 2-3 South Florida Callaway Golf PGA Assistant Championship Held at Frenchman’s Reserve

August 5 EZ-GO Pro-Superintendent Supported by Global Golf Sales & NYX Eyewear Held at Broken Sound Old Course

August 5-6 Junior Tour #7 Presented by the Honda Classic Supported by Titleist, Allianz Championship, Don Law Golf Improvement Center & Mirasol Men’s Group Held at Breakers Ree Jones

August 12-13 Senior Section Championship & South Florida Senior PGA Professional Championship Supported by the PGA TOUR Held at Sailfish Point Golf Club

August 21-22 Junior Tour #8 Presented by the Honda Classic Supported by Titleist, Allianz Championship, Don Law Golf Improvement Center & Mirasol Men’s Group Held at the Polo Club

August 23 Global Golf Sales Series #3 Supported by Golf GameBook & Sun Dog Eyewear Held at the Ritz Carlton

August 24-26 Section Championship Presented by TaylorMade-adidas Golf Supported by the PGA TOUR, BoxGroove, & TaylorMade-adidas Ashworth Golf Held at the Ritz Carlton and Frenchman’s Reserve

13

Enjoy benefits that won’t take a summer break.

P H O N E

C O U P O N

20

$

OFF

CODE

B2BPAQ32002

on your phone order of $150 or more*

EXPIRES

September 30, 2010

*Valid for phone orders at 800.248.6343 ONLY using coupon code shown above. Offer valid for one-time use only. Limit one per customer. Offer valid on regular, promotional and/or clearance priced items. Minimum purchase of $150, before taxes, required. Void if copied, sold, transferred, taxed or where prohibited. Cannot be combined with any other offers or coupon codes, Associate discount card(s) and/or Retail Connect Card pricing. Not valid on purchases of computers, monitors, printers, gift certificates, OfficeMax brand gift cards, general-use prepaid cards, phone cards, MaxAssurance®, assembly or FedEx® Shipping Services. Coupon does not include tax and shipping. Not valid on prior purchases or for credit card payments. No cash or credit back. Cash value .001¢. © 2010 OMX, Inc. SM

To place an order and save, contact us at 800.248.6343 or AdvantagePrograms@officemax.com

14