Are Referees Needed to Oversee Pro Golf Disputes
Rick Langenberg
In lieu of the massive success of the World Cup, a disturbing question is lurking regarding the influence of politics on national and international sports.
President Donald Trump recently questioned the “red flag” penalty assessed against. American star player, Folarin Baloqun. This occurred in the final 32 showdown against Bosnia, which could have resulted in a one-game suspension, forcing Baloqun to miss the final 16 match against Belgium. The plea, made with head leaders of the World Cup league organizers, worked, with the suspension penalty withdrawn, and Baloqun just getting slapped with probation.
This suspension recission, though, sparked world outrage. But the protest meant nothing in the end, as the U.S. was slaughtered in the next match against Belgium. End of story.
Well, not exactly. Now, this political interference in sports has invaded the game of golf, and one of its Holy Grail tourneys, the British Open.
Golf superstar Bryson DeChambeau, who plays on the Saudia Arabia-funded LIV tour, got assessed a two-stroke penalty for trying to improve his disastrous lie, following a wayward tee-shot at the Royal Birkdale Golf Club into the brutal hazard area. Bryson, who is a big hit with the fans and is a social media sensation with his own U-tube show, was supposedly smoothing out the tall grass around his ball with his feet.
His action stirred a huge sensation, as he got heavily criticized by golf analysts and even by top players, such as Masters champion Rory McIlroy. “Cheater,” went the cry across the British Isles. This led to a two-shot penalty after officials reviewed the reported rules violation in detail and even summoned Bryson to the crime scene.
So, what did Bryson do? He threatened to call President Trump, a political ally and close friend, and someone whose national fitness committee he served on. He also threatened to withdraw from the tournament unless the penalty was changed.
Were his actions in trying to alter the rough area intentional or not intentional?
I am going to give Bryson the benefit of the doubt and say it was unintentional. In playing this course years ago on a family outing, I will attest that the Links Rough at Birkdale is savage natural land to say the least. As the caddies commonly say, keep it on the fairway there “laddie.”
It is easy to wrongly place your feet in the rough too much in figuring out an escape route. In reality, there is no sane escape.
But DeChambeau’s reaction to the penalty was childish and raises questions regarding the ethics of today’s players. Bryson is a real oddity too, revamping his swing based on science and physics and hitting drives that dwarf those of his opponents. He commonly strikes drives that exceed 400 yards.
But at the same time, Bryson gravitates towards the crowds. And in a sport that drastically needs more eccentric characters, he fills that role. In some ways, he is replacing the crowd-pleasing antics of former superstar Phil Mickelson, whose growing fall from grace is a real tragedy. Many attribute Phil’s tragic plunge to the pit of disgrace to a serious gambling addiction.
Need for Referees in Pro Golf?
The whole episode brings up one question. Does professional golf need referees? The sport has largely functioned with a self-policing system that has worked mostly for more than 100 years. But there have been major hiccups in this system, including one time when an Argentina player, Roberto De Vicenzo, was denied a chance for a playoff in the Masters tournament with Bob Goalby because he signed a scorecard with the wrong number listed on one of the finishing holes. The mistake was made by the Argentina golfer’s playing partner, and not by Roberto.
But the scorecard signer bears all the responsibility in professional golf, even though thousands witnessed what De Vicenzo scored on the hole in question.
In more recent years, pro golf has been shaken by ugly fan behavior, player temper outbursts, including the destruction of a locker room at Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania (another Holy Grail golf site) and slow play. However, the sport has remained unrivaled regarding integrity in following the rules.
So, in other words: Take your medicine and move on Bryson. Even Tiger Woods, who has received his share of penalties and fines over the years, rarely complains, at least in public.
But no, Bryson wanted the president’s intervention. Of course, this would not have resolved the situation as the governing body of the British Open would have taken Trump’s complaint and thrown it in the rough. That clash would have turned into quite a scene.
On the upside, the incident has stirred more trash talk among top golfers in the world, which is needed for this so-called gentleman’s game. A mini-feud has now developed between DeChambeau and McIlroy a fight that may be headed to the boxing ring. McIlroy accused DeChambeau of holding the tournament “hostage” due to his temper tantrums revolving the ruling. He also claimed Bryson loved putting on a performance show in the way he mocked the ruling.
Whenever he hit any further shots in the rough during the final two days of the tourney, Bryson teased the crowd. Bryson would commonly signal a safe baseball umpire call.
Just like the World Cup controversy, the possible intervention of Trump, who is known for skirting the rules himself on the links, even though he possesses the best golf skills of any modern president, didn’t amount to any harm. Bryson folded on the final day and lost control of his tee-shots and was never a factor in the tournament’s outcome.
But the incident echoed a common theme: Politics needs to stay out of the world of sports, whether you are talking about a world soccer match or a quiet round of golf.
Charity Events at Shining Mountain
Speaking of golf. If you haven’t had the opportunity to check out the improving Shining Mountain course in Woodland Park, do not miss your chance. Several big charity outings will be closing the season, such as the annual law enforcement gala in mid-August and a benefit for the new Oktoberfest festival. These are not-be-missed tournaments, and a good way to enjoy our local links, if you haven’t gotten out this year.
Like most courses in the region, the lack of water has become an issue. But the crew there has managed adverse conditions quite well.
Their next venture is to make the course more playable with larger landing areas. Yes, we don’t want any of the hazard and rough areas to rival those of Royal Birkdale. We don’t want to call President Trump for a ruling.
