A Christmas Wish?

Okay, it is December 22 and I'm looking out on very white landscape from my window at the MGA office. Despite our receiving snow only six short weeks ago, it seems the golf season has been over for so long! Aside from a Tiger sighting on the leaderboard of the Chevron Challenge and some end-of-year, Top 125 intrigue at the TOUR's closing event at Mickey Mouse's Florida home, there hasn't been much golf to talk about. However, after the drama that Tiger lead us through last year, I would consider this a blessing!

This time of year - the vast golf-less wasteland between Thanksgiving and Christmas (anybody notice that there wasn't a Skins Game this year?) - can be the most challenging for me. It's not like I don't have anything to do but finding the initiative to do it can be the problem. Even this year as we are developing a volunteer area to our website and adopting a new, online entry procedure (both items of keen interest), keeping my focus has required some creative efforts.

For example, I find myself far more likely to read one (or more) of the golf magazines that get passed around the office monthly. Typically, I simply initial the sign-off sheet pasted to the front of each one to signify that I have had the opportunity to see it. Now, I may read virtually every article on every page, seaching for that something that keeps me going.

Today, I spied a book that piqued my interest, Beyond the Score: Relationship Keys for Golf and Life by Jim Sheard, PhD. The book focuses on what could best be summarized by two cliches, "Don't miss the forest for the trees" and "Don't forget to stop and smell the roses". Golf gives us many opportunities "beyond the score" to measure our golf games, and a round in particular, for success. And, Beyond the Score reminds us of keys that we should always remember in relationships, whether they be with golf partners, life partners, or new friends.

Expectedly, I found the sections entitled "Act with Integrity" and "Demonstrate Respect" particularly relevant. There are some quotes that attracted my attention, and they are just as applicable in my job as well as life.

"Following the rules is an indicator of a person's integrity."

"Knowing and following rules enhances trust in relationships, sports and life."

"Exceed Expectations; When you exceed expectations, you stand out from others and establish integrity and trust."

"Byron (Nelson) gave me his most enduring advice: It's not how (well) you play, it's how you conduct yourself and how you treat people." (From Tom Watson)

My Christmas Wish for 2010? To be ever mindful of the (potential) impact I have on the lives of others and to give more to them than I receive in return.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all! See you in 2011-

Doug

The End of the Tournament Season -- Two months late

Well, nothing like writing my season-ending commentary two and a half months AFTER it actually ended! One would believe that, once the tournaments are finished, I would have plenty of time to compile, compose and publish some thoughts about the season just completed. But, I guess not. I could bore you with the details and litany of reasons why I haven't posted, yet that would require my trying to recall them. And, since I likely would not be able to do that, I would end up making them up (which might make for better reading).

Nevertheless, some of the (brief) late-season highlights include:

*An exciting finish to the Senior Four-Ball and overall season when Jon Empanger holed a 116-yard wedge shot for an eagle 2 on the 36th hole as the sun was going down (picture above) giving he and partner Gary Johnson a two-stroke victory. It would have been more dramatic had they been in the last group and he had been the last to play to the green, but.............

*The MGA Mid-Amateur had a great three days at Minneapolis GC and Burl Oaks GC. Troy Johnson took home the title with superb play that resulted in a 4-under par 212 total that was seven stroke in front of the next contenders, Larry Barnacle and Sammy Schmitz.

Despite Johnson's play, the talk of the tournament was a hole location on Burl Oaks' third hole. Cut too close to a quick slope, many players found their ball rolling tantalizingly close to the hole, only to have it come back to their feet some 25 feet away. Unfortunately, this occurred multiple times for a few players. It was one of those times that, as staff, you simply chalk up to experience.

From an administrative point, once players start going through the hole, there are limited things we can do. While Decision 33-2b/1.5 gives us five possible options, there was only one that offered any possibility without significant ramifications. Option (a) suggests: "Have play continue with the hole location unchanged on the basis that the conditions are the same for all players in the field." Thus, this is how we proceeded.

The fall golf season offered us some great weather .......... right up until November 10. The 6" of snow that fell that weekend, followed by temperatures in the 30s, signaled the official end to the 2010 season. At least I had Rosemount HS football to follow -- all the way to the Championship game!

Until next time (but hopefully not in another 2 1/2 months) --

Doug

The Gopher Invitational - 2010

The Gopher Invitational
Spring Hill Golf Club, Wayzata, MN

Today is Day 1 of the 2010 Gopher Invitational at Spring Hill GC. It is an absolutely perfect day - sunny, temps in the mid 70s, light winds. With players from 11 teams and 5 individuals playing a 36-hole marathon (that will take over 10 hours to complete), it is a good thing the weather is so benign!

We had an interesting start to the day. Gopher Jon Trasamar, starting on the 18th hole, hit his tee shot into the hole -- on the 16th hole!! What do the Rules say about this? Actually, Decision 16/7 comes the closest to this situation.

This decision has two parts. The first permits the Committee to cut two holes on each green for an 18 hole competition on a 9 hole course. The second part of the decision (the part most relevant to our ruling) classifies the status of the "other" hole as a hole made by a greenkeeper, or in other words, ground under repair. This takes us to Rule 25-1 for relief.

Under Rule 25-1, the player is to determine the "nearest point of relief" and then drop the ball within one club-length of that point. However, this point will be on the 16th putting green. Rule 25-3 (Wrong Putting Green), states that a player must take relief for a ball coming to rest on the wrong putting green. In this case, the player must again determine the nearest point of relief, not nearer the hole, and drop within one club-length of that spot.

That is the beauty of the Rules -- as soon as you think you have seen everything, something new comes up.

Until next time-
Doug

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

Halfway Through the 2010 Season?

Dateline: Monday, June 28, 2010, 11:00 pm, Country Inn & Suites, Owatonna, MN

No, it's not really halfway through the 2010 season yet - at least, not according to the calendar. The season didn't officially start until May 17 (only 6 short weeks ago) and won't end until September 28 (13 weeks from tomorrow). But with all of the events that will have been completed by this time next week, it will be more than half over in that regard.

Statistically speaking, by next Monday night (July 5), we will have conducted 20 state-level qualifiers, 4 USGA qualifiers and 6 championships. That leaves us "only" 5 USGA qualifiers and 10 championships on the schedule.

Currently, I am finishing up a stretch of three consecutive weeks, and four of the last five, of MGA championships. This week, I'm at the Owatonna Country Club in Owatonna MN (about 60 miles south of the Twin Cities) conducting our 20th MGA Mixed Team Championship. The field is a little smaller this week allowing us to do one wave (or block) of starting times and not starting those times until an unheardof 10:00 am. Wow, an opportunity to sleep in on a tournament day! This is a much appreciated respite from the 4:30 wake up time during last week's MGA Players' Championship at Spring Hill.

During these events, we have encountered some challenging weather, seen some superb play and had to "hang out" at some pretty special places including Interlachen Country Club. Interlachen, site of Bobby Jones' victory in the 1930 US Open (and infamous "lily pad shot"), the third leg of his Grand Slam that year, is a wonderful place. While I had all of my volunteers making sure our matches were going smoothly, I was engrossed in the multitude of historical memoribilia hung throughout the clubhouse. Some of the most interesting were the trophies of Jones' grand slam, a replica set of clubs that he used that year, and Patty Berg's Wilson clubs she used her last year on the LPGA Tour.

I also "had" to spend some quality time at Spring Hill Golf Club for our Players' Championship. Certainly, the club doesn't have the rich history of an Interlachen, but the golf course, complimented by the wonderful staff and service, makes any trip to Spring Hill a treat.

Once I finish with this event tomorrow, I take a break from my administrator's job to be on the other side of the scoring table, so to speak. I begin my career of senior golf on Wednesday by attempting to qualify for the US Senior Open at Mendakota Country Club, site of last year's MGA Amateur. One of only 26 attempting to qualify, we are aiming for the one spot into this year's event to be held at Sahalee Country Club in Washington.

Interesting note, this is one of three USGA qualifiers that are requiring the use of the new conforming groove clubs. However, under the agreement between the USGA and Ping, I am able to use my 1986 Ping Eye 2 irons. The waiver Ping agreed to back in April only allowed the USGA to prohibit the use of the pre-1990 Eye 2 irons for the US Open. So, I've been trying to get accustomed to using them again.

Another interesting note, one of the 26 players is Macalester College golf coach and former LPGA Tour player Martha Nause. She is the first woman to attempt to qualify for a non-women's USGA event in my 13 seasons with the MGA. Obviously, her game is still there as she qualified for the US Women's Open back in May. She will be playing in that championship at Oakmont CC in July.

Until next time -

Doug

P.S. Make sure you check out my rules segments on Golf Bound, Sunday nights at 11:05 pm on KARE 11.

Recent Happenings

Dateline: 8:45 pm, Thursday, June 10 @ MGA Office

Yes, I'm still at the office finishing up work for the Sectional Qualifying events for the 107th MGA Amateur Championship. I'm scheduled to play in the Tapemark Charity Pro-Am starting tomorrow and then it's on to our Senior & Mid-Players' Championships at Interlachen CC next week. If I didn't stay and do it now, it would never get done.

The past month has been extremely hectice. Since my last post (May 11), I have conducted: (1) qualifying for the US Open (unfortunately, none of our qualifiers made it to Pebble Beach), (2) the MGA/PGA Cup Matches (in which the professionals soundly defeated the amateurs), and (3) the MGA Women's Mid-Amateur Championship (with Amy Schintz of Duluth besting the field by a whopping 10 strokes, shooting a course-record 5-under par 69 in Round 1).

Today, I had to do the course set-up at Interlachen for days 1 & 2 of the Senior/Mid-Players' event. Actually, I didn't have to do much thinking about it. I am using the hole locations for days 2, 3 & 4 of the US Women's Open Championship (played there in '08) for my days 1-3, respectively. Interlachen is a real treat to be able to use and play. Unfortunately, "dotting" tee and hole locations takes time and today was really busy on the course, so we didn't play as much as we would have liked.

Tomorrow, I start the first of my two events of the year. The Tapemark Pro-Am gets started at Southview CC. It is a terrific tournament that has raised over $6.5 million dollars for charities that support families and individuals with developmental disabilities like mine. It's a highly competitive, yet feel-good, event that is in its 39th year. Congratulations and many thanks to the Klas and Cody families for their support over the years. The forecast doesn't look good for the weekend. Let's hope this is one of the (seemingly) many times the weather people are wrong! You can follow my progress on their web site.

As I said, I will be playing in (at least) one more tournament. I will be attempting to qualify for the US Senior Open through the Sectional Qualifying on June 30 at Mendakota CC. I am one of 26 players vying for the opportunity to tee it up with the best senior golfers in the world at Sahalee CC (WA) in late-July. I hope my schedule settles down before then!

Unfortunately, between now and then, I also have the MGA Players' Championship (@ Spring Hill GC, June 21-23) and the MGA Mixed Team Championship (@ Owatonna CC, June 28-29) to conduct. Hmm, and when will I be practicing??

You can check out all of the action from MGA events, and learn about other happenings in golf in Minnesota, at the MGA web site: http://www.mngolf.org/.

Okay, it's taken me 21 minutes to write this. Since my starting time tomorrow morning is (ugh) 6:40 AM, I guess I had better go home and take a nap! I'm afraid tomorrow's going to be a LONG DAY!

Oh, one last item. Golf Bound starts airing at 11:05 PM on KARE11 this Sunday night. Check it out - my rules segment might help you.

Until next time--

Doug

P.S. - Congratulations to my son Zach for graduating from Rosemount HS and earning an Evans Scholarship to the University of Minnesota!

May Update

In this edition, I thought I would give you a "behind-the-scenes" look at my schedule. Here it is - May 11 - and I'm so far behind with what has gone on thus far in this young season and have so much to do before it's June. Since I last posted, I have:

-finished conducting the Big Ten Men's Golf Championship at Windsong Farm. Illinois repeated for the team title and a Northwestern golfer claimed the individual title. My one lasting comment and memory from the event -- boy, are college golfers ever slow! It was often painful to watch how long it took to play shots. Yes, the conditions were difficult, especially Saturday, but still...

-went to Duluth and conducted two rules programs for members at Ridgeview Country Club. I had nearly 50 interested ladies on one night followed by over 60 men the next. While I wasn't teaching, I toured the course with manager Steve Anderson and superintendent Wes Salo to talk about course marking. In addition, I made a stop at Black Bear Golf Course (next to the casino in Carlton off I-35) for a site visit for our Players' Qualifying and Enger Park for a site visit for our MGA Amateur Qualifying that will be held there in May. Enger is the third busiest course in the state (in rounds played) behind Bunker Hills (Coon Rapids) and Braemar (Edina). I left Duluth last Friday in snow.

-conducted the Spring Meeting of both the MGA Tournament & Rules Committee and Tournament Volunteers (more on these in my next post) at Midland Hills Country Club.

And, if that schedule isn't busy enough, in just the next few weeks, I have:

-Monday, May 17: US Open Local Qualifying @ Hazeltine National Golf Club. We have the second largest local qualifing event in the country, behind only Cincinnati. The field of 150 (full) will be playing for nine (9) spots into the Sectional qualifying.

In order to get ready for that, I have to set up the course (setting tee and hole placements and checking course marking), create the Local Rules & Hole Location Sheet, determine volunteer assignments, create scorecards, make arrangements for breakfast and lunch for our volunteers, pack the truck, haul the score board and tents to the course and set them up. This all must happen BEFORE anyone hits a golf shot!

-In addition the the US Open qualifying, I have five qualifying events for our three MGA Players' Championships (Regular, Mid & Senior) that all need score cards, score sheets, Local Rules sheets, and other last minute touches that must all happen BEFORE Monday.

-In addition to those five events, I need to finalize the MGA Team for the MGA/PGA Cup Matches, set for May 25 at Rush Creek Golf Club and do the last minute planning details for that, including course set-up.

-And if those seven total events aren't enough to keep me busy, I have the assorted office details that must be accomplished ... immediately!!

And I've had people say, "Gee, your job sounds like fun. How can I get one like yours?" Yes, it's true, I do have a good job and one that is fun ... most of the time. But, at this time of year, I could use time to stop for about 3-4 days to allow me to catch up and I'm not talking about sleep (yet).

Until next time (if I make it)-

Doug

Interesting Ruling

Saturday, May 2 - Still Day 2 of the Men's Big Ten Championship at Windsong Farm. The wind is causing all sorts of playing problems, but my concern about a ball moving on the putting green has (thus far) been unwarranted. However, I just had an interesting ruling.

A player's third stroke became embedded just under the lip of the greenside bunker on the 9th hole. He called for a ruling to inquire as to his options. Under Rule 28, he has three options, all of which incur a one stroke penalty.

First, he may go back to the place from which he played his last stroke ("stroke & distance"). Second, he may drop behind the point where the ball is unplayable, keeping that point between him and the hole. Third, he may drop within two clublengths of the point where the ball is unplayable. However, since the ball was in the bunker, the last two options require the player to drop in the bunker as the only option that permits the player to drop outside the bunker is stroke and distance. Thus far, the ruling is straight-forward, but this is where it becomes interesting.

After electing to proceed under stroke and distance, he picked up his ball and started back. It turned out he had played the stroke from only approximately 75 yards away, and the bunker was on his line of play. While walking back, his fellow-competitor raked the bunker and improved the player's line of play. Under Rule 13-2, a player must not improve, or allow to be improved, his line of play by creating or eliminating irregularities of surface. Is he penalized?

Fortunately, Decision 13-4/35.8 deals with this exact situation. It states that if a player elects to proceed under the stroke and distance option (taking the ball out of the bunker), he is permitted to rake the bunker even if it is on his line of play. However, had he elected to proceed under either of the other two options, or if he had changed his mind and come back to the bunker, he would have incurred a two stroke penalty.

Until next time-

Doug

Big Ten Championship @ Windsong Farm

Saturday, May 1 - Day 2 of the Big Ten Championship is underway in extremely windy conditions. As I write this, winds are sustained at 25 with gusts to 35 and playing havoc with the players. Windsong Farm is a course completely open to such elements in all but a few spots. Everyone is in for a LONG day.

As the head Rules Official, I have emphasized to my on-course officials to pay attention to the likelihood of the ball moving on the green. This can cause great issues for the players. Under the Rules, if a ball at rest moves due to a natural force (wind, water, gravity), the player simply plays the ball from its new position. However, if the ball moves by any other influence, then it is replaced. A ball at rest on the putting green can be a little more challenging.

If a player has marked, lifted and then replaced the ball in its original spot and the ball moves, he again will play it from its new spot. This is still true even if he leaves his ball marker in position behind the ball. Many people believe that, since the ball marker is still there, then the ball must be replaced. Should a player lift a ball that has been moved by the wind, replace it on its original spot (next to the mark) and then putt, he has played from the wrong place. Under Rule 20-7, he incurs the general penalty of loss of hole (Match Play) or two strokes (Stroke Play).

The issue that seems to cause the most problems for the players, however, is when they have "addressed" the ball. Remember, addressing the ball occurs when the player takes his stance and grounds his club in preparation for the stroke. We often see players address the ball and then, fearful the ball may move in the wind, step back. Unfortunately, since he had addressed the ball, the ball remains addressed even if he steps away. Thus, should the wind move it, he incurs a one stroke penalty and must replace the ball (even though he wasn't close to the ball). Our starters are reminding the players about this fact and suggesting they remark and lift the ball, which is the only way a ball can be "unaddressed".

Of course, if the player does not "ground" his club and the ball moves, then he will not be penalized under Rule 18-2a.

For scores, visit http://www.golfstat.com/. For additional stories, visit http://www.gophersports.com/.

The Masters is Underway!

The Masters, arguably one of the greatest sports events each year is underway! Arnold Palmer, and for the first time, Jack Nicklaus served as the Honorary Starters and hit the first shots of what should be another great Masters.

Certainly the Tiger Woods story, both his on-going recovery from his personal problems as well as his return to professional golf, have received much of the media coverage thus far. Despite his absence from golf for nearly five months, one cannot overlook him as a possible champion. He has proven his ability to play the course better anyone else in the field (four victories in 16 starts) and, well, he consistantly amazes us with his ability to do the unbelievable.

However, Tiger should not be the only story. There are so many great players capable of winning. While this event tends to favor the more experienced players, this might be the year a younger player comes from the pack to "shock the world" (such as Zach Johnson a few years ago). It will be especially fun for me as I have been invited to watch it in 3-D on Friday afternoon. I'll report back on the experience.

Lastly, this has been such a great start to the golf season here in Minnesota. Not in my previous 12 seasons (springs) have we had such a positive and exciting start. People are really into golf as a result. This is just what golf needs in this area. Let's hope it continues throughout the year!

Until next time-
Doug