Dateline: Friday, Dec 9, Apple Valley, MN

So I'm taking today off, but unfortunately it is not to play golf! In fact, it's not even to go and be fitted for a new driver ... although I tried to schedule an appointment for such. Seems new U of M Women's coach Michelle Redman and two of her players had the same idea, but acted on it sooner than me.

In my effort to find extra distance (who doesn't), I have been trying other drivers. My 7-year old Titleist 983K driver is working quite well (I hit 12 of 14 fairways in my last round at Pinehurst), but I hit it very high and have issues with the ball ballooning when playing into a strong wind.

This past summer, I attended a demo day at Golden Valley G&CC and had Deb Snowden fit me with a Nike VR Tour Driver. I thought I had the answer but decided to wait. This past Friday, I went down to 2nd Swing in Minneapolis to test a Nike driver they had in stock that was close to my specs against my Titleist in a controlled environment. Expecting/hoping I would see a difference of 15+ yards, I found that I was almost as good with the Titleist, gaining only 5-7 yards. We even tried different golf balls to see if that made a difference - but not really.

So, today I had hoped to go to Totally Driven Golf and try different driver combos - heads & shafts - against my Titleist. Two years ago, I did the same only to be told my driver was the best one for me. Shouldn't technology over the past two years give me that 15+ yards I want/need to be a better player? Unfortunately, my search will have to wait for another day.

The moral of this blog? Even though it is -2* outside doesn't mean we have to stop dreaming, thinking or tinkering with our own golf games! Now is the perfect time to figure out how to shave another 3-5 shots off our scores. This includes becoming more knowledgeable in the Rules - so get that 2012 Rules of Golf book and study up. You'd be surprised how knowing the Rules will help your game. Books are available free of charge (plus shipping) from the USGA!

In the off-chance I do not write another blog before the holidays, here's wishing each of you a blessed Christmas, Happy New Year and peace-filled Holiday season!

Cheers-

Doug

November Update

It is two days before Thanksgiving. The first snow has fallen and most courses have closed for the season. Although Thursday's forecast of 53* and sun has some planning to reopen for one last shot at revenue to help the bottom line. We were well into winter at this time last year, so is there hope for a milder, shorter winter? Let's hope so!

I spent last week glued to the Golf Channel watching the President's Cup from Royal Melbourne GC (pictured). Prior to that, I enjoyed watching the Australian Open from Sydney. Much of my interest comes from the fact these are in my wife's homeland. Royal Melbourne, in fact, is as close to her childhood home as it is to Geoff Ogilvy's. We heard the stories of Geoff hoping over the fence to watch events. My brother-in-law used to hop the fence and play at night with golf balls painted with fluorescent paint! Hopefully, I will be able to play by walking in through the front gate.

Another reason I watched with such interest is the re-coming out, if you will, of Tiger. Aside from a third round 75, he played well in Sydney (T-3). And, despite going 2-3 in matches, he won the deciding point for the Americans in the President's Cup. The jury's still out if he will ever regain his game that saw him dominate the professional golf scene for over 10 years, but if his play in Australia was any indication, he's never been closer. While his personal escapades are inexcusable, as a player he is truly gifted and interesting to watch.

The last reason I watch was to see people playing golf in short sleeves and on green grass. There is hope! This is coming just after I returned from the IAGA Conference in Pinehurst, where I managed to play three rounds of golf in six days. The weather for the last round was perfect - 78* and that North Carolina blue sky! But even there, the (Bermuda) grass had started to go dormant. Typically, at this time of year I am ready for a slowdown - cold weather, white landscape, early darkness ... but not this year. Aside from my awful putting, I would love to keep playing. Maybe that's due to having one of my best ball-striking rounds of the year in my last round.

In the MGA office, I'm still working to fill open USGA qualifying sites. I should have been done long before now. Hopefully, the requests I have out will materialize into confirmed sites.

I also am working on the plethora of projects that will never see the light of day during the season, such as evaluating cell phone plans, answering rules questions for TeeMail, interviewing potential P.J. Boatwright Jr Interns, reading up on the rules changes for 2012 and reading in general. (I strongly suggest The King's Speech, but not at work!) Yet, each night when I go home and my wife asks, "So, what did you do today?", I scratch my head and reply, "I don't know, really, but I was busy all day." At least today, I can say I got something accomplished -- I updated my blog!!

Until next time-

Doug

Tuesday, November 8, 2011 -- 45th IAGA Conference, Pinehurst, NC

This week, I have the opportunity to attend the IAGA Conference in Pinehurst. Pinehurst is known as one of the premier golf resorts in America. Home to #2, a Donald Ross gem that has hosted many championships including the 1999 US Open won by Payne Stewart, Pinehurst also has seven other courses. While pricey, it is a must visit for the avid golfer.

The IAGA, or International Association of Golf Administrators, is a group of individuals from local, state, regional, national and international golf associations. The conference allows staff from the associations to gather and discuss the golf industry and happenings within the various areas. Essentially, it is an opportunity to share "best practices" and experiences from successful, and failed, ventures and programs. It is amazing to hear about all of the many different programs these associations are conducting. Of course, many of the great ideas are technology related.

While an annual event, it is generally a bi-annual event for me. This is my sixth or seventh IAGA conference since joining the MGA in 1998. (I must add that the "Met" Golf Association prefers to call itself "the MGA". Since it is six years the senior of the MN Golf Association, I will not argue their claim.) During the many years I have attended, I am always able to take (steal) many great ideas. This year is no different. I came with the intent to gain as much information as possible on using plotter printers (a large, wide-scale printer we use to print score sheets and posters) and TPP Online (our tournament and entry management system).

I had the great privilege to co-lead the sessions for the Rules and Competitions Directors with Dave Colling (Golf Association of Ontario) and Kirby Martin (Golf Association of Philadelphia). The simple process of leading the discussion is really rewarding, not to mention beneficial. Again, there are so many great ideas being used, it can cause one to leave with their head spinning or mind racing at 100 mph. How can I incorporate this or that into the MGA tournament program?

Now, I'm off to a session by Thomas Pagel (USGA Director of Rules) on the changes to the Rules of Golf. Thomas is an intelligent young man (kid from my perspective!) who be provide a great leader in the Rules for many years to come. It will be interesting to hear the many reasons for some of the changes of 2012.

Next time, I'll report on the IAGA Championship of this afternoon on Course #5.

Cheers-

Doug

It's Coming to an End!

(Highland National GC, Tuesday, September 27, 2011)

Four months and eighteen days after it started, the 2011 MGA Tournament Season is coming to a close. Unfortunately, it is finishing much the same way it started - in the rain.

On May 9 at Bunker Hills, we endured a three hour delay due to lightning and heavy rain before we were able to start a US Open Local Qualifying. Today, we have endured light rain (but no delays) through the final round of the 38th MGA Senior Four-Ball Championship.

It is difficult to believe another season has come and gone. It seems just like yesterday that I was patiently waiting for the storms to pass, and then took a walk through a nearly completed clubhouse while five players earned their way to the regional qualifying for the US Open. Yet today, I am writing this as we wait for the final wave of 76 players to finish their rounds. In less than three hours, it will all be over!

Obviously, the end of the season is a mixed bag of emotions for me. I am relieved the pressure of a non-stop schedule of preparing for and then conducting events is off. Yet, it will mean not seeing our players, many of whom have become my friends, until next April 1 when they come into the MGA office to turn in their applications for the upcoming season. It also means that the warm sunshine, refreshing breezes and green grass will be replaced by low gray clouds, biting north winds and white landscapes. (Although, it will give me the opportunity for the aerobic exercise called "shoveling" to lose the extra pounds gained by eating the donuts, lunches and snacks often found at our tournament sites.)

With the end of the official golf season, my attention will turn to the baseball post-season. I'm hoping my Texas Rangers will make another successful run to the World Series (and win this time). My Arizona Wildcats are not playing well enough to garner much interest, and the NFL just doesn't have it any more. (The NBA ... at least the Mavericks won a championship before it goes away!) So, I can start looking toward Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year before the PGA TOUR resumes out in Hawaii in the warm sunshine, refreshing breezes and green grass.

Until next time-

Doug

7TH GOPHER INVITATIONAL, Spring Hill GC

The end of the golf season, or at least the tournament portion thereof, is within view. This is apparent for many reasons. First, football season has taken over the sports broadcasts and newspaper sections. Second, talk in baseball is the pennant races and upcoming playoffs. (The Twins abysmal performance has help promote the first reason.) Third, Labor Day has come and gone. Fourth, the weather is starting to cool. And, fifth, the Gopher Invitational is here.

This is the seventh edition of the Invitational - all here at Spring Hill. Spring Hill is a great facility. It has a very challenging course that is always in impeccable condition thanks to Superintendent Tim Johnson and his staff. Even with the challenging growing conditions of 2011, he has the course looking as good as ever. It is likely the most challenging and best conditioned course these players will play this entire 2011-2012 collegiate season.

Also, the food is wonderful! I am truly thankful that I don't have more events out here as I would weigh significantly more than I do already. Yet, I appreciate my one day out here annually. Fresh, homemade blueberry/white chocolate scones, some of the best bacon you can find, fresh cookies, 1919 Root Beer. I could go on and on but I won't so you don't get hungry.

This year marks John Carlson's first to oversee the entire Men's Gopher Golf program. Carlson was rehired to run the Men's program after he served as the Men's Coach under John Harris through a tumultuous 2010-2011 year. He looks to put his own stamp on the program that has seen significant highs and lows over the past ten years.

The weather looks to be perfect, so there will be no excuses blaming the weather for poor play, unless it is due to the sun getting in the player's eyes. This weather is why we (or many of us) suffer through playing in the cold spring and late fall days. Glorious is the best word to describe the next two days.

Lastly, on the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, may we all remember the events of that tragic day and work to keep from them happening again. May we regain the unity we, as Americans, shared in the aftermath and overcome the partisan bickering that has taken over politics and society. And lastly, but most importantly, may we pray that God, through us, bring peace and harmony to an otherwise wonderful world.

Until next time-

Doug

108th MGA Amateur Championship Wrapup

Can it be -- we are already past our Amateur Championship? (The picture is dawn emerging over the 9th hole at the White Bear Yacht Club.)

The 108th MGA Amateur Championship wrapped up today at the White Bear Yacht Club. Spring Hill's Donald Constable claimed the title with solid play. He opened with a 5-under par 66 and never looked back. He followed that with a 71 in the second round and finished with a 2-under par 69, including a birdie on the 18th hole. This is Constable's first stroke play title. He finished second to Tom Hoge in the 2010 Amateur and won the 2009 Players' Championship (the MGA Match Play championship).

His 7-under par total of 206 was three better than the Yacht Club's Adam Riddering and Dillon Schultz of Springfield Country Club. Schultz recorded a 5-under par 66, including birdies on three of his last four holes, to tie Constable for the low round of the week.

Despite the stellar play (nine players finished at or below par), the week will be known for the excessive heat. Monday saw the heat index reach 115* and Tuesday was about the same. But, Tuesday set a record for the highest dew point in Minnesota meteorological history of 82. Apparently, this was second to only the Amazon Rain Forest for highest dew point on the planet that day. Even a two and a half hour delay due to a thunderstorm on Tuesday did not provide any relief; in fact, it made it worse. Adding more moisture to the air, the oppressive heat returned when the sun reappeared shortly after the storm passed. Fortunately, a steady breeze kept the air moving on Wednesday and made it more bearable.

As a means to keep the players hydrated, the MGA provided water and sport drinks in coolers at both the first and tenth tees. In addition, the Yacht Club staff did a yeoman's job of keeping eight 10 gallon coolers filled on the course. The players, caddies, spectators and MGA officials went through nearly 500 gallons of water, and (it is rumored) over 1,000 bottles of water and Powerade. Fortunately, there were only four individuals (three players and one caddie) who needed to be escorted in from the course for safety precautions.

Many thanks to the MGA staff and volunteers for the countless hours they put in to make the Amateur Championship a huge success!!

Thanks to the members and staff of the White Bear Yacht Club for graciously allowing us to use their wonderful facility!!

And, congratulations to Donald Constable, 108th MGA Amateur Champion!

Until next time-

Doug

Another Perfect Day in Paradise - thanks to Jake Schmitz & Staff!

Championship Thursday, Olympic Hills GC

Today dawned with no threat of rain, storms, lightning, or delays -- only a forecast of sun and 77*! A feat after the past two days of play.

Congratulations to Superintendent Jake Schmitz and his outstanding staff for the efforts they have put forth preparing the course daily and dealing with the bad weather. Olympic Hills was in great condition despite a difficult winter.

A superintendent's job is tireless and (almost) thankless. Of course, he gets blamed for the poor conditions, much of which is out of his control. Mother nature will do what it wants to do despite all of a superintendent's efforts. It is the "super's" job to accurately predict and plan for the weather - even months in advance. And, even though meteorologists keep their jobs with a less than stellar accuracy, and major league hitters enter the Hall of Fame when batting over .300, a superintendent must be accurate virtually all of the time to keep his/her job.

Midway through the Championship Matches, Robert Leaf holds a 3-up lead over Gary Thalhuber in the Senior Players' Championship, and Erik Christopherson holds a 2-up lead over Andy Jacobson in the Mid-Players' Championship.

Until next time-

Doug

Rain, Rain Go Away!

Dateline: 5:00 pm, Wednesday, June 15, 2011 @ Olympic Hills Golf Club

12th MGA Senior Players' & 5th MGA Mid-Players' Championships

We are currently in our second rain delay of the day and third of the championship. Yesterday came to an abrupt halt at 4:42 pm when storms moved in. Even waiting until 6:00 pm didn't make the bad weather go away. So, we arrived this morning with the intent to start the matches that had not finished at 7:00 am and the second round matches at 7:30 am.

However, after meeting with Jake Schmitz, Golf Course Superintendent, he informed me it would be at least a two hour delay due to casual water on greens. Unfortunately, that became four hours after the rain didn't stop until nearly 10 am. We were able to play for over five hours, completing all second and third round matches. In fact, we had one Senior semifinal match reach the 7th hole and a Mid-Players' match get two holes in prior to us suspending play at 4:10 pm. Now we sit and wait.

So what does the MGA staff do during such delays? Eating is a favorite activity, but Alyssa Wiebusch, our USGA P.J. Boatwright Jr Intern, has introduced Cribbage as an activity. Of course, we answer the obligatory questions about what the weather is going to do. I believe with my knowledge, gained from watching my share of storms in MN, FL and TX, I could do reasonably well in forecasting. I wonder if the AMS (American Meteorological Society) will give me accreditation without the degree?

Just like with the Twins this year, there are some years weather is not a factor, there are other years where we have more than our share of "doubleheaders". You learn to be patient and that there is nothing you can do to control the weather.

At least the forecast for tomorrow is for sunny and warm -- one can only hope!

Until next time-

Doug

The Season is Underway!

The MGA Tournament Season is underway with the first of two US Open Local Qualifying events at Bunker Hills Golf Club after a very inauspicious 1 hour, 45 minute delayed start due to thunderstorms. I guess I should have expected this after the Spring we have had here in Minnesota ... if you can say that we have even had a Spring. Only a week ago, I was officiating in the snow at the NCAA Women's Division II Regional Tournament.

Of course, this is only a continuation of the challenges I've faced with this qualifying process. I have had to relocate both of my qualifiers due to poor course conditions. TPC Twin Cities was to be the host for today's event, but they have 13 temporary greens. Mendakota CC was to host the other qualifier next Tuesday, but we had to move it to Minneapolis GC due to the poor green conditions at Mendakota.

I owe many thanks to Dick Tollette at Bunker Hills and Dan Simpson at Minneapolis GC for their tremendous support in relocating these events. With their support, and the support of their respective facilities, our players will compete on courses in excellent condition.

Also, many thanks to the MGA volunteers that continue to come out and lend their time and talents to making the MGA Tournament Program one of the best in the nation! Without them, it would be impossible to conduct most of our program.

I hope this is as bad as it gets over the next 4 months and 18 days until we put the flagstick in the hole on my 14th season! However, if not, then my rainsuit and I will become one. If that's the case, I just hope I remember to take it off to shower!

Lastly, we will be providing live scoring for virtually all of our USGA qualifiers as well as MGA championships this year. Follow your favorite players at the MGA website - www.mngolf.org!

Until next time-

Doug

April Reflections

Dateline: Good Friday, April 22, 8:17 pm

As I relax and watch today's 2nd round coverage from Hilton Head Island, I thought it would be a good time to reflect on some of the April highlights. (Unfortunately, Lumpy's double bogey 5 on the par 3 4th hole as the leader isn't one of them.) Harbor Town truly is one of the best courses on Tour - a shot-makers course. I'm hoping my fellow Arizona Wildcat Jim Furyk can repeat last year's title. Bear Down!

Of course, the Masters was something to behold the last day. Some, including me, hoped Tiger would get a few more birdies after his eagle on #8, but it was not to be. Of course, this only fuels the debate as to whether he will win another major much less pass Nicklaus' record of 18. However, when you have nine players within two shots of the lead on the back nine on Sunday afternoon at the Masters, it is a real treat to watch.

Charl Schwartzel played spectacularly on Sunday, birdieing the last four holes. He is the only one to do that in a major and win. (The only other person to birdie the last four holes in a major, as you probably know, is Tiger Woods at the 2002 PGA Championship at Hazeltine.) We had three Australians trying to be the first to win at Augusta, but despite all playing magnificently, we get to keep wondering when the streak will finally come to an end.

And, of course, there was Rory. Through 63 holes, the Masters was his. He looked so cool, calm and collected -- then he hit his tee shot on the 10th. From that point on, he looked like a high handicapper during his club championship. I expect him to recover fully from the debacle, but only time will tell.

Speaking of debacles, I cannot go without mentioning Kevin Na's 9th hole during the first round of the Valero Texas Open in San Antonio last week. While we may not think we can learn something from someone making a 16, I believe there were a couple of things to be taken away from Na's troubles. First, play a provisional ball. Second, don't look for a ball if you think you might not want to find or play your original. Third, don't try to hit a ball just because you don't want to go back (again) to play under stroke and distance. Fourth, keep a sense of humor through it all, which is the only thing Na did out of the four. Just in case you missed all of it, here's a link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWTXoNzuk8c.

And now, I just witnessed Brian Gay make a quintuple bogey 9 on the par 4 7th hole. It just goes to show us that no matter how good we think we are, we all have our moments. Makes me want to go and practice! (UPDATE: He followed it up with a birdie 2 on the next hole.)

In the Rules arena, the USGA and R&A released a revision to Decision 33-7/4.5 that would handle the Padraig Harrington situation differently. If you recall, Harrington was disqualified after moving his ball while replacing it at Abu Dhabi in January. The decision now creates a situation where, if a player does something that is visible only through the use of slow-motion, HD video, and it does not come to his attention prior to signing and returning his card, then the player still incurs the appropriate penalty (two strokes, in Harrington's case) but will not be disqualified. This does not change a situation like Camilo Villegas, however. Of course, from a practical standpoint, it makes no difference to 99.98% of golfers.

Lastly, exactly what is with this weather? In my 13 previous seasons, I don't think we've ever had such a challenging start to the season. Yes, we have had our share of cool, wet weather in April and May, but we've at least had some warm weather by now. And, we are starting to hear of courses struggling with green conditions. In fact, I have had to relocate the US Open Local Qualifier on May 9. Originally set for the TPC Twin Cities, I moved it to Bunker Hills GC after Alan Cull informed me that TPC will be closed until mid-late May. Here's hoping the sun comes out, the temperatures rise and the grass starts growing very soon!

Until next time-

Doug

Wow - It's MGA Tournament Season already!

Dateline: Monday, April 4, The Conference Room @ MGA Headquarters, Edina, MN

Where has the time gone? Despite weather better suited to snowmobiling and pond hockey, this winter has kept me busier than the proverbial "one armed paper hanger!" Yet, as I sit and assist the few players who have come in to drop off their applications for the 2011 season, I find myself with time on my hands.......so much so that I can finally update the cyber world of the happenings at the MGA and with Doug Hoffmann.

Since the end of last year, I have had three HUGE website projects that have not given me much time to dream of warmer climates. (Good thing, too, as this March was not like last years!) It also is good that this wasn't a Rules change year; otherwise, I don't know how I could have finished the website stuff when taking a week to attend a workshop.

The first of the three projects deals with our online registration system. Launched today with the start of tournament registration, this system provides the end user a more efficient, user-friendly interface from which to enter MGA tournaments. However, I never stopped to consider the amount of work necessary to get something like this up and running.

The new system - TPP Online - is a product created by the USGA and its GHIN Handicap Department. We elected to use it after giving our Senior Tour a year to "test and destroy" it for us. It received high marks, so we started the adoption process in the fall. We also elected to change our ISP, through which our old online registration system was created. When we made the switch, our information went with it. Thus, we had to totally recreate everything. While getting new sites is a great thing, the learning curve in getting there was quite steep at the start.

The real test came when the applications started coming in just after midnight today. Despite some hiccups along the way, it has gone rather smoothly so far. As with most technology, a live test is often the best means to find the bugs (as long as the exterminator is nearby).

Next, as a parallel to the new registration system and website, we had to create new "landing pages" for all of our championships. I had hoped the developers would have a template in place so that I could have all landing pages live by April 1. Unfortunately, I think they found it more challenging than they expected, so that by the time I started creating the pages I didn't have much time. And, once again, the learning curve was steep. However, the new pages went "live" last night at 8:48 pm CDT. Check them out by clicking here.

The third leg of this process has been the new web-based Volunteer area for the MGA. Ultimately, this will provide our volunteers a "one-stop shop" for all of their involvement with the MGA. They will be able to completely manage their commitments with tournaments and committees, update their profile and search for other volunteers 24/7 and (likely) by using their phone.

Once again, the project has proven to be more difficult than previously expected. While I had hoped to have a full-blown landing page ready for every volunteer by today, we're not there. But, the sign-up page for tournaments will be going "live" any moment with the "My MGA Locker" coming soon thereafter. For the volunteers reading this, you will be receiving an email with your login credentials shortly. Thanks for your patience!

To quote Garrison Keillor, I hope this is "a quiet week at Lake Wobegon" as the Masters tees off on Thursday. "A Tradition Like None Other" is the unofficial start to the golf season, especially in Minnesota where we all are ready to get outside and try out our new equipment, swings or swing thoughts. I'm ready to be completely distracted by the beauty of the azaleas, the roar of the crowds coming through the pines and Sunday afternoon at the Masters!

Here's to seeing you on the course!

Until next time-

Doug

The Golf Season (and DQs) Returns!

Since my last post on Dec 22, we've received more snow, the temps have dropped to -27* and the golf season (at least on television) has started. And, in only three weeks into the world tour schedules, we already have had two DQs by "big name" professionals.

At the Hyundai Tournament of Champions, Camillo Villegas hit a chip shot that didn't quite make it up the hill and started rolling back down to his position. Afraid the ball may come to rest next to some loose impediments, he swept them aside. Unfortunately, doing so put him in breach of Rule 23-1 that states "when a ball is in motion, a loose impediment that might inflence the movement of the ball must not be removed." Penalty for breach of this rule, two strokes in stroke play.

This week (Thursday), Padraig Harrington caused his ball to move when he lifted the ball marker after replacing his ball. Had he replaced the ball back into the correct position, there would not have been a penalty. Unfortunately, he did not believe the ball had moved and played it from its new position, incurring a two stroke penalty.

Villegas and Harrington signed and returned their respective score cards without adding the penalty strokes to their scores, resulting in both players being disqualified under Rule 6-6d. Both incidences were brought to the attention of the respective TOUR officials by viewers calling in. As one could expect, this has renewed the controversy of whether viewers should be permitted to call in when a violation is observed.

Tim Rosenforte, on Golf Central prior to and after Saturday's coverage of The Hope, reported that the USGA and R&A were "absolutely reopening the discussion of viewers calling in to report rules violations." This information was based on comments Mike Davis (USGA Senior Director of Rules and Competitions) made to Rosenforte immediately before going on the air.

Last Tuesday (prior to Harrington's gaffe), The Morning Drive (The Golf Channel's morning show) interviewed Jack Nicklaus and asked him what rule he would change. He answered that "the whole book on the Rules of Golf should be changed" and the Rules don't follow "common sense". He claimed a USGA Rules Official said it was easier to pass the bar exam than passing the rules exam necessary to be a rules official. (While I have not taken the bar exam, I have taken the rules exam no less than eight times and cannot believe his claim.) Jack is one of the game's greats and is entitled to his opinion, but keep in mind he has been quoted as saying a player shouldn't have to play from a divot in the middle of the fairway after a great drive.

The person that has offered the most (in my opinion) fact-based, non-emotional comments is The Golf Channel's Brandell Chamblee. His comments put the responsibility of knowing the Rules back on the players -- where they should be. Chamblee admitted to having attended a rules program (at least the first two days) and coming away realizing that he doesn't know the rules as well as he should.

In an interview last week for the Rules column in MNGolfer, I commented that if a player chooses to play in a tournament without a good knowledge of the Rules, he is doing so at his own risk. In some regards, it is like buying a house. We must initial every page of the sales contract signifying we have read and understood what is on the page. Yet, how many of us actually read every word on every page? If we don't, then aren't we doing so at our own risk? We are not getting off the hook if something goes wrong. We can't claim ignorance or say the rule doesn't make common sense, and we shouldn't be held liable.

Lastly, the comments have been that this isn't fair to the best players since they are on television more than the non-marquee players. Maybe this is the price of being a marquee player. After all, there are many people who do the horrible, unacceptable things Tiger did without the public scrutiny and outcry. Should Tiger's actions be lessened since he is a public figure? Or, should we hold all people to the same level of expectations and standards regardless of their notoriety (or lack thereof)?

I'd love to hear what you have to say about this! In the mean time, let's hope we don't have more rules violations to discuss until my next post.

Until then-
Doug