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STATE TOURNEYS WON'T END ON A WEEKEND
COURSE ETIQUETTE --- YOUR RESPONSIBILITY A famous college basketball coach once said that recruiting was like shaving-miss just one day and you look bad. It could be said that golf course management personnel, especially superintendents, feel the same way about golfer etiquette on the course. Golf course etiquette is an all-encompassing term that refers to demeanor, adherence to course maintenance rules, and dress, among other issues. However, most associate golf course etiquette to the concept of ball mark repair and divot replacement. Take a moment and consider what a course would look like if patrons were excused from replacing divots or fixing ball marks for just one day. A well managed facility would look like a battlefield. Golf course personnel are unanimous in stating that, as a whole, golfers still do not do an adequate job in repairing their ball marks and divots. Despite the presence of posters, notes in newsletters and announcements in meetings to serve as reminders, most facility managers believe the message can never be repeated too much. This becomes and even bigger issue as the game expands to include more juniors and those who have recently picked up the sport. Instructors and experienced golfers should be diligent in teaching the how and why of golf course etiquette. Failing to teach golfers the proper techniques now creates future problems. The basis for ball mark repair and divot replacement is for competitive and agronomic reasons. Balls that land in unrepaired divots place a golfer at a disadvantage, just as having to putt over a ball mark. By leaving turf damaged (unrepaired), it becomes susceptible to disease and/or infestation of weeds, resulting in a lower quality of playing surface. This necessitates the need for attention by golf course superintendents and their staffs, thereby taking them away from more pressing duties. As a general rule, a ball mark repaired within 10 minutes will heal with a smooth surface within two to three days. An unrepaired ball mark may take as long as three weeks to heal, but the result will be an uneven surface. Because grass varieties differ from course to course, and from fairways to the rough, the best rule to follow in replacing divots is to check with the golf course superintendent for the particular policy. As a general rule, replace any divot on the course unless there is a sand or sand/seed mixture provided in a container on the golf car. Typically, the divot is replaced on any course with bentgrass or bluegrass fairways. If you are playing on a course with bentgrass fairways and bluegrass rough, you must pay particular attention to the materials in the container. If just sand is provided, then fill the divot hole and tamp down the sand with your foot. If a sand/bentgrass see mixture is provided, divots in the rough would not be replaced so as to not contaminate the bluegrass with bentgrass seed. In Bermuda grass fairways, generally sand is just used. In replacing a divot, the policy is to replace the divot so the grass can send down new roots. If so, replace the turf in the same direction it came out, and tamp down firmly so the mower won't pull it back out. If you are walking and no sand is provided, smooth the divot hole with your feet, gently pulling the sides of the divot hole to the center. Article courtesy Golf Course Superintendents Association of America.
Hamilton Golf Course is going to be hosting one of the state tournaments in the near future. The Bitterroot Valley club submitted a request to the MSGA board of directors that it be included on the rotation of the state tournaments sometime after 2005 and the request was accepted. John Wagner, a board member from Missoula who submitted the request on behalf of the Hamilton club said the club was "looking forward to it (hosting a tournament). Wagner and executive director Jim Opitz plan to meet with the board of the Hamilton club this spring or summer regarding the situation. The sporty little course should provide a good challenge for any of the state's golfers. It is not known when Hamilton will get its first statewide event. Both the Amateur and the Mid-Amateur (the most likely choices) are set for the next several years but that schedule is not set in stone so a hosting role could come Hamilton's way before a great passage of time. There once was a time, when Montana had only the Amateur and the Womens Amateur, that the tourneys rotated between Meadow Lark in Great Falls, Yellowstone in Billings, the Butte Country Club and the Missoula Country Club. There have however been several courses added to that rotation in the last eight years.
No matter where you live in this huge state there is going to be a state level competition in your area. The only problem is that your age and/or your gender may force you to wander far from home for your competition. The first of the five "majors" will be the State Junior Tournament which will be conducted in June at the Riverside Country Club in Bozeman. This will be followed by the State Womens Amateur at Valley View Golf Course also in Bozeman and the Men's Amateur which will be conducted at the Briarwood Country Club in Billings. The men's event is set for July 23-26 and the Women's generally is held the same week although on occasion this varies. The Seniors is set for Green Meadow Country Club is Helena on Aug. 6-8. The final of the "Big Five" is the Men's Mid-Amateur at the Missoula Country Club Aug. 20-22. If only you could figure out how to get into all of them you'd have five outstanding courses on your agenda this summer. For those who like to make long range plans here are the rotations for these tourneys for the next few years: MENS AM 2003 - Green Meadow, Helena WOMENS 2003 - Yellowstone Country Club, Billings MID-AMATEUR 2003 - Marias Valley Golf Course, Shelby SENIORS 2003 - Great Falls JUNIORS 2003 - Missoula Country Club
The three course rating teams for the MSGA are progressing as planned according to Dan Larsen of Helena who oversees the project. A total of 17 courses were rated during the 2001 season and more will be completed this year. Larsen, Course Rating Administrator for the MSGA, said he expects every course in the state to be rated by the end of 2003. "Then we sort of start over" he explains because courses must be re-rated at specific intervals and if major changes are made. There are currently three teams in the state rating courses based in Billings, Helena and Kalispell. Travel distance more than anything else makes the rating process time consuming. The MSGA has also started installing new permanent brass markers at courses in the state. The markers, which bear the MSGA logo and the hole yardage from that particular tee (red, white and blue) cost the MSGA $11 each and three sets are installed at each hole. That's a total of 54 markers for each course. Markers have already been installed at Green Meadow Country Club in Helena and Riverside in Bozeman and Missoula Country Club. It is currently planned to install the markers at clubs which are on the rotation to host one of the four major tournaments (Amateur, Mid Am, Womens, Seniors) first. The MSGA plans to order several sets each year and get them placed as quickly as possible.
It may be new on the Montana Golf Schedule but the All-Star Invitational held each year in Bozeman brings together some of the best high school golfers in the state and if the 2001 event was any indication that's where you should look if you're trying to figure out the dominating young guns, both boys and girls. The tournament, in its tenth year but still growing, is co sponsored by the MSGA, the Montana Senior Golf Association and the Rocky Mountain Section of the PGA. In the last gathering Jasi Acharya a rising senior at Columbus High School finally found the third time to be the charm when after two years of being a bridesmaid she beat Megan McDonald of Bozeman on the first hole of a playoff to win the girls title. Seth Jamison of Helena High turned in a blistering two-under 33 on the back nine at Valley View Golf Club to take the boys title. Jamison posted round of 69-70-l39 for a one shot victory over Scott Kreitzberg of Billings West who had rounds of 67-73. Acharya fired 78-80-l58 while McDonald reversed those scores in forging the tie. Following the two leaders in the boys division were: Renzi Lee, Billings Senior, 71-74-145; Nick Obie, Have, 77-73-150; Drew Krause, Whitefish, 72-78-150; Jason Johnstone, Have, 73-78-151; Andrew Olson, Shelby, 76-76-152; Mike Hanson, Great Falls Russell, 78-78-156; Colt VanDewerker, Billings Central, 78-81-159; Michael Frye, Culbertson, 82-80-162 and Kevin Majerus, Valier, 89-89-178. In the girls division Eileen Spindler of Great Falls Russell, finished third with 85-78-163 followed by Tia Morasko, Glendive, 82-82-164; Sara Ogle, Kalispell, 84-84-168; Carlie Breen, Three Forks, 86-84-170; Britney Hayes, Bozeman, 85-85-170; Jennifer Orcutt, Conrad, 98-90-188; Margaux Alvarez, Stevensville, 95-94-189; and Katy Stevens, Colstrip, 91-98-189. It is especially pleasing to the sponsoring groups that there is a growing number of competitors from some of the smaller schools in the state since the intent of the event is to foster a growth of the sport among Montana's youngsters wherever the play the game.
While I enjoy doing it getting this Newsletter out isn't all that easy. Oh, I don't mind the actual process it's the lack of ideas of what to include that causes the problem. In short, yours truly would appreciate whatever input you might think worthwhile whether it just be an idea for a story or a picture, a letter or article, a picture or just a comment. If we got enough letters which it was felt would be of interest to the golfers of our state we might even start a "letters to the editor" column. You may direct anything to: Mayo Ashley, l530 Jerome, Helena, 5960 or by e-mail to J_Ashley1@msn.com.
IMPROVED HANDICAPPING SYSTEM IN PLACE The handicapping system in Montana which is operated by M.T.S. under the auspices of the Montana State Golf Association has received a number of enhancements this year. The MSGA feels that these new features will please Montana golfers who in the past have expressed some discontent with the system in use. Jim Opitz, executive director of the MSGA, said the new additions to the computer program in use "promise to be more user friendly for the player, the handicap committee and the club". One of the prime features announced by Wayne Fenter of Billings, who is the M.T.S. Handicap Director, is the feature allowing golfer to post scores they shoot away from their home course at the course which they play immediately after completing their round. This should contribute to more equitable handicaps since often players forget to post "away" scores when they return home. Some of the new features include (l) the installation and support of the IGN system which is used in many clubs throughout the U.S. This will allow for any score posted being reported not only to the Montana system but to the IGN system as well. It will also work in reverse meaning if you post your score at an out-of-state club using the IGN system it will be recorded at your home club in Montana; (2) Golfers who have multiple club memberships will need to enter only one score (3) If an "away" score is played at an MSGA member club the computer will input the slope and course rating for the particular set of tees that you played without you having to do this (4) Using USGA rules and guidelines the computer will accept and store a 9-hole score and add this to any new 9-hole score entered to allow golfers to compile l8 hole scores and thus a valid handicap (5) The M.T.S. currently supports club-to-club transfers of score histories for clubs using posting pages and this will be extended to clubs using computers (6) A lot of clubs with Internet access are using file transfers now and it is hoped all of them will be using those features in the near future (7) For those clubs with Internet access M.T.S. plans to establish customized features to enhance interconnection and communications with the MSGA and its member clubs. In short the golf handicapping system in the state of Montana is becoming more modern and that's good news for us all.
TERM LIMITS FOR MSGA BOARD MEMBERS? If we have term limits for politicians why not for MSGA board members? Well there are pros and cons to this question but the MSGA has a committee which is looking into this particular suggestion. The MSGA committee is empowered to write a proposed amendment to the bylaws. This amendment will be discussed, and presumably voted on, at the next board meeting in early May at the Butte Country Club. Discussion arose about the proposal when board member Jan Carter of Great Falls suggested that to ensure new life blood on the board that perhaps members should be limited to two four-year terms . This resulted in a good deal of discussion and ultimately the appointment of Carter, Donn Peden of Billings, and Gary Sisson of Bozeman to the by-law committee? What are the pros? As one board member stated it would bring more people into the working body of the MSGA and that new people and new ideas are generally a good idea. Another made the comment that many view the MSGA board as an "old boys club" the membership of which never changes (this is clearly untrue) and that they do little to make new policies. There are also many who feel the MSGA does little for what they perceive as "the good of golf." And still others that (as there always are) don't like the "way things are handled." How about cons? Well as in the issue of term limits for state senators for instance it is clear that imposing term limits removes people from the board just as they are really knowledgeable about the proceedings and are making a real contribution. Experience in any endeavor is worthwhile. The biggest "con" however was expressed by Gary Rodman of Whitefish and echoed by several other members - lack of interest. Rodman said "when I need help on something I don't get a lot of volunteers and another remarked "I don't know about you guys but I haven't exactly been inundated with requests by people that I put their names up for the board." While the current board is composed of men from throughout the state, both large clubs and small, and reflects a wide range of ages and experience in the game it does seem that this perceived problem might be the largest roadblock to the proposed new bylaw. You have that sometimes large and always vocal group of naysayers who complain about how things are handled but refuse to participate to make a difference. It would be interesting to see how are members throughout the state view this proposed by law and the board is willing to entertain your thoughts either by mail or e-mail and if you're willing to get involved in the work of the MSGA the board would love to hear from you. The more people who get involved in the work of the MSGA or for that matter the State Womens Golf Association or the Seniors the better for everyone. It is particularly important to get younger people involved since they have more rapport with the kids who are after all the future of this game we love so much.
HELENA USGA BOARD MEMBER HAS MEMORABLE MASTERS By Mayo Ashley, Newsletter Editor Arnold Palmer, Tiger Woods and the Masters. These would make a memorable weekend for any golf enthusiast but to enjoy them all from inside the ropes goes beyond merely "memorable." That's what Helena's Paul Caruso, Jr. experienced at the latest Master won by Woods and to be remembered forever as Palmer's final appearance at this "rite of spring." The Helena banker is the chairman of the U.S.G.A. Rules of Golf Committee and as such enjoys a ringside seat at this annual melding of the best in the game and one of the top courses in the game. This was Caruso's sixth straight Masters as a rules official and ,as always, it was a great experience. Probably his most memorable moment was the long good-bye Palmer enjoyed from his faithful Army. "I was at Oakmont in '94 for his last U.S. Open," Caruso recalls "and at the Masters I went back out Saturday morning (after Friday's rain delay) and followed him to the finish. I didn't have to be there for any reason I just went out." Caruso said the gallery for Palmer was huge during his final two rounds at Augusta where he has won four times. He said Palmer made the remark that "when the gallery is either family or you know them all by their first name it's time to quit." How about Tiger? Caruso doesn't agree with a lot of people who feel the top contenders basically gave the green jacket to Woods the last day. "He went out on Sunday and birdied two and three and got a four shot lead and that was huge. His birdie on three in particular was big. That's a tough green to get on (in regulation) and once you get there you can't putt it. After he got that lead he didn't have to be aggressive and the other guys did. He is just great at hitting it in the fairway, on the green and then getting his par. He's an outstanding defensive player. He's just a complete player and he has that same flair Nicklaus had. He is not a great putter but like Jack when he needs it it goes in the hole.' What does the rest of the year hold in store for Tiger? "The fire is burning," Caruso commented. "He wants to win all of the Grand Slam events (Masters, British and U.S. Opens and PGA ) in one year and he's got a great chance." Caruso, who has been present for 5 of Tiger's 7 majors, says this year's sites are "excellent" for Woods. "Bethpage Black (U.S. Open) is a huge golf course (in terms of length ) and I think their back 9 is as tough as it gets. They have a par 4 on the back that is a 467-yarder. Looking at the card it appears to be a bit of a 'breather' (among several other brutal 4 pars) but that's 467 uphill with an elevated green and a bunker in front." While Woods is long he certainly isn't the longest off the tee on the tour (John Daley comes immediately to mind) but Caruso observes that his length plus his all around game make him hard to beat on "big" courses and not only is Bethpage big but Hazeltine, near Minneapolis (PGA) is long as well and Murfield (British Open) should favor Woods as well depending on the weather. Caruso, who last year completed a Grand Slam of his own when he officiated the British Open the only "major" he hadn't previously handled, said the Masters is a unique tourney because "it's played at the same course each year and there's a real sense of history there. Also there is a limited field and its the only big tourney where amateurs are included." He said Augusta is an old course and therefore things are in much closer proximity than they appear on television. Rules officials at the Masters are assigned to specific holes rather than following one single group all day and thus get a chance to see everyone in the field. This year Caruso covered l5, 4, 6 and, on the final day, the par-3 l6th which has been the site of so many great Masters moments. He said "we sat under the television tower behind the l5th green and had a view of the entire 16th hole." He added that another uniqueness of the Masters is that "they get the same volunteers every year. You can walk up to a guy on l6 for instance introduce yourself and he'll say I'm so and so from Columbus, Ohio and I've been on this hole for 22 years." No doubt if one had the time you could take in a lot of history in a short period of time. The Helenan, who has seen all of the current and past players up close and personal, feels there may be another Tiger on the horizon. "Adam Scott, an Australian, may be the next great one. I first saw him at the U.S. Public Links three years ago and he (like Tiger) has a complete game. You could cut off their heads and you'd think it was the same golfer. He (Scott) has been playing on the European Tour but he won enough money at the Tournament Players event and then finished in the top l0 at Augusta so he shouldn't have to go to Q School to get on the American tour." As chairman of the Rules of Golf committee Caruso will have a busy summer which won't include the British Open because that event conflicts with the U.S. Public Links. He will, however, be very busy at the Open, the Senior Open and the U.S. Amateur where he will be in charge of the officials pool which will be drawn from some 1,200 volunteers. "I'll be walking with either the first group (off the tee) or the last one's because I have to be around to coordinate." The season has gotten off to a good start but it is a long way from over for Montana's only member of the U.S.G.A Executive Committee.
The Montana State Golf Association makes an annual contribution of $15,000 which goes to benefit golf at the state's six institutions of higher learning that field golf teams. Contributions of $5,000 each are given to the University of Montana in Missoula and Montana State University of Bozeman. Both of these schools field women's golf teams in the Division 1A Big Sky Conference. Another $5,000 is given to the five Montana schools which are members of the NAIA and have mens and womens teams that compete in the Frontier Conference. The five $1,000 checks were presented by MSGA board members to the five schools (Montana Tech, Western, Northern, Rocky Mountain and Carroll). Board member Bob Crippen of Butte is shown (photo below) presenting the check to Montana Tech coach Tim Kober.
The University of Montana womens team is shown (photo below) with Board member Fred Olson and the facsimile check.
Kober commented at the presentation that he felt "this is very generous of the MSGA and I think I speak for all programs in the state that it is very much appreciated." Joanne Steele, coach of the Lady Griz, said she and her team wished to extend "our sincerest thank you" for the contribution and went on to say "your continued support of Montana collegiate golf is greatly appreciated and needed to help maintain excellence in academics and athletics." All golfers in the State of Montana share in the thanks expressed not only by Kober and Steele but the coaches and members of all 7 teams and the institutions they represent so well.
Shag Miller of Butte, who arguably made the presence of golf on the Montana sports scene what it is today, has received recognition for the many hours and days and years he devoted to the game in this State. Miller was presented the Ike Granger Award by the United States Golf Association recognizing his tremendous contributions to the game. The award, presented by Paul Caruso, Jr. of Helena, who is a member of the USGA executive board, is in recognition of twenty-five years of exemplary service to the game of golf. Miller was the executive director of the MSGA for many years and oversaw a tremendous surge in the game in the Treasure State. He said "when I started as executive secretary (of the MSGA) in l953 there were only 26 clubs in the state. There are more than 90 now and the number is rising yearly." Miller was also a USGA sectional committeeman for 25 years.
SUPERINTENDENTS APPRECIATE MSGA The Peaks and Prairies Golf Course Superintendents Association receive monetary support on a yearly basis from the MSGA and they are appreciative of that just as we golfers (at least most of us) are appreciative of their long hours and hard work. Lori Russel of Shelby, the executive director of the group, expressed their thanks in a recent letter to MSGA executive secretary Jim Opitz. She pointed out, and rightly so, that the two groups share the same commitment to bring the finest golf experience possible to everyone in the game. The superintendent's group uses the MSGA stipend for educational purposes for their members and this results in better conditions for the golfer to enjoy while advancing the knowledge and skills of the superintendents. As Russell said, "we are privileged to receive strong support from the MSGA.
The 2001 Montana Girls Americas Cup team is shown above. The group includes (l to r) team captain Mary Ann Rodman, Devon Newell , Kylie Anderson, Britney Hayes and Tina Bickford. The group participated in the event at Mesa Verde Country Club in Costa Mesa, California.
Shown above is the 2001 Montana entry in the Junior Americas Cup Matches. The group includes (l to r) Renzie Lee, Randy Southern, captain Woody Hahn, Adam Hober and Casey Keyser.
Two long-time golfers were standing overlooking the river. One golfer looked to the other and said, "Look at those idiots fishin' in the rain."
Previous Newsletters: Summer 2000, Fall 2000, Summer 2001 |
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