MGA Four-Ball Championship & Mid-August Update

(Dateline: Wednesday, August 18, 2010, Grand View Lodge, Nisswa, MN)

I'm sitting in a beautiful 5-bedroom house off the 5th hole of the Lakes Course, drinking a cup of coffee, waiting to go to breakfast before today's Second Round of the 49th MGA Four-Ball Championship. Life can be really good sometimes!

However, I am coming to the quick realization that this season is coming to a fast end - almost as fast as it started. The signs? They are plentiful. I awoke yesterday morning to a temperature near 50*, the Twins are leading the AL Central and the pundits are already talking about who they will be playing in the ALDS, Brett Favre has (finally) decided to return to the Vikings, and I take my eldest son to move into the Evans Scholars House at the University of Minnesota one week from tomorrow. These are all exciting times when considered independently; however, it means the cold weather, and the end of the golf season, is not too far away. Ughh!

Yet, while I am bemoaning this fact, I can thank Dustin Johnson for giving me an opportunity to talk about the Rules of Golf. Unless one is completely oblivious to what is going on in the world of Golf (if you are reading this, then you are not one of these people), everyone knows about the unfortunate series of events from Sunday's final round of the PGA Championship.

While I don't need to completely restate the details, it was obvious that Johnson did ground his club prior to making his stroke. And, since the PGA of America Rules Committee had clearly stated and informed all competitors of the status of all the bunkers on the course (some 1,000 plus), then there is no question that Johnson incurred a two-stroke penalty under Rule 13-4: Ball in Hazard; Prohibited Actions.

But, this does bring up some questions. Should such areas be declared as "hazards"; after all, how many major tournaments typically permit spectators to walk through bunkers? Should a Rules Official be expected to inform/remind a professional golfer that the ball is in a hazard? Should a professional golfer be expected to read the Local Rules Sheet, or let off the hook for not doing so?

Of course, at least one of the questions I raise is ludicrous - a player who is playing for millions of dollars should be expected to know and follow Rule 6-1, "The player and his caddie are responsible for knowing the Rules."

Anyhow, it gives us (MGA officials) some leverage about knowing the Rules before starting play when talking to our players at the starting hole. And, I always welcome real-life examples when teaching the Rules. Thanks, Dustin!

Hopefully, with the season coming to an end, I should have more time to update this on a more regular basis. I'm sure you can hardly wait.

Until next time-

Doug