Golf In New York City Blog

Congratulations to 26 year old, Camilo Villegas, from Medellin for winning the BMW Championship last Sunday. He finished at finished at 15-under 265 and collected $1.26 million. A lot was made of his four putt for double bogey during the second round but I felt how he dropped his ball on the tough 17th hole, the 601 yard par five, far more interesting. Camilo clearly knows and understands the rules of golf. But did he bend rules 26-1C (Lateral Water Hazard) and 20-2C (Dropping) to gain an advantage?
Villegas hit his first shot into the lateral water hazard that ran up the right side of the hole. He elected to invoke rule 26.1 (Listed below). His ball clearly was in the hazard. The Rules of Golf allow a player to drop a ball outside the water hazard within two club-lengths of and not nearer the hole than the point where the original ball last crossed the margin of the water hazard. This cost the player one stroke. Villegas dropped his ball within an inch of the red line painted on the ground to define the Lateral Water Hazard. The ball bounced into the hazard. According to his rights under the rules, Villegas picked up his ball and re-dropped within an inch of the hazard line. Again the ball bounced into the hazard allowing Villegas to place the ball where it landed outside of the hazard.
Villegas clearly acted within the rules and did not violate rule 26-1 or 20-2C. But did he act by the Spirit of the Rules and our game? Rule 26-1C allows a player to drop as far as two club lengths from the Margin of the Hazard. If Camilo had dropped even ten inches from the hazard line the ball would have been in play and a re-drop would not have been necessary. Of course, he would not of have had the advantage of placing the ball on top of the rough with his hand.
I have never before seen a player drop like this. Is this how it is normally done on the PGA Tour?
Villegas was able to hit a rescue club to within 150 yards of the hole and then he hit a good approach onto the green and one putted to save his par.
Was the way he manipulated the Rules of Golf: Smart, Standard Operating Procedure on the PGA Tour, or Cheating? Is it bending the Rules or OK?
I do not know. Anyway I am glad he won and still enjoy watching his “Spider-Man” style of reading putts on the green.

United States Golf Association Rules:
20-1. Lifting and Marking
A ball to be lifted under the Rules may be lifted by the player, his partner or another person authorized by the player. In any such case, the player is responsible for any breach of the Rules. The position of the ball must be marked before it is lifted under a Rule that requires it to be replaced. If it is not marked, the player incurs a penalty of one stroke and the ball must be replaced. If it is not replaced, the player incurs the general penalty for breach of this Rule, but there is no additional penalty under Rule 20-1. If a ball or ball-marker is accidentally moved in the process of
lifting the ball under a Rule or marking its position, the ball or ball-marker must be replaced. There is no penalty, provided the movement of the ball or ball-marker is directly attributable to the specific act of marking the position of or lifting the ball. Otherwise, the player incurs a penalty of one stroke under this Rule or Rule 18-2a.
Exception: If a player incurs a penalty for failing to act in accordance with Rule 5-3 or 12-2, there is no additional penalty under Rule 20-1.
Note: The position of a ball to be lifted should be marked by placing a ball-marker, a small coin or other similar object
immediately behind the ball. If the ball-marker interferes with the play, stance or stroke of another player, it should be placed one or more clubhead-lengths to one side.

20-2. Dropping and Re-Dropping
A. By Whom and How
A ball to be dropped under the Rules must be dropped by the player himself. He must stand erect, hold the ball at shoulder height and arm’s length and drop it. If a ball is dropped by any other person or in any other manner and the error is not corrected as provided in Rule 20-6, the player incurs a penalty of one stroke. If the ball when dropped touches any person or the equipment of any player before or after it strikes a part of the course and before it comes to rest, the ball must be re-dropped, without penalty. There is no limit to the number of times a ball must be re-dropped in these circumstances. (Taking action to influence position or movement of ball — see Rule 1-2.)
B. Where to Drop
When a ball is to be dropped as near as possible to a specific spot, it must be dropped not nearer the hole than the specific spot which, if it is not precisely known to the player, must be estimated. A ball when dropped must first strike a part of the course where the applicable Rule requires it to be dropped. If it is not so dropped, Rules 20-6 and 20-7 apply.
C. When to Re-Drop
A dropped ball must be re-dropped, without penalty, if it:
(i) rolls into and comes to rest in a hazard; (ii) rolls out of and comes to rest outside a hazard; (iii) rolls onto and comes to rest on a putting green; (iv) rolls and comes to rest out of bounds; (v) rolls to and comes to rest in a position where there is interference by the condition from which relief was taken under Rule 24-2b (immovable obstruction), Rule 25-1 (abnormal ground conditions), Rule 25-3 (wrong putting green) or a Local Rule (Rule 33-8a), or rolls back
into the pitch-mark from which it was lifted under Rule 25-2 (embedded ball); (vi) rolls and comes to rest more than two club-lengths from where it first struck a part of the course; or (vii) rolls and comes to rest nearer the hole than:
(a) its original position or estimated position (see Rule 20-2b) unless otherwise permitted by the Rules; or (b) the nearest point of relief or maximum available relief (Rule 24-2, 25-1 or 25-3); or (c) the point where the original ball last crossed the margin of the water hazard or lateral water hazard (Rule 26-1). If the ball when re-dropped rolls into any position listed above, it must be placed as near as possible to the spot where it first struck a part of the course when re-dropped.
Note 1: If a ball when dropped or re-dropped comes to rest and subsequently moves, the ball must be played as it lies, unless the provisions of any other Rule apply.
Note 2: If a ball to be re-dropped or placed under this Rule is not immediately recoverable, another ball may be substituted. (Use of Dropping Zone — see Appendix I; Part B; Section 8.)

26-1. Relief for Ball in Water Hazard
It is a question of fact whether a ball that has not been found after having been struck toward a water hazard is in the hazard. In order to apply this Rule, it must be known or virtually certain that the ball is in the hazard. In the absence of such knowledge or certainty, the player must proceed under Rule 27-1. If a ball is in a water hazard or if it is known or virtually certain that a ball that has not been found is in a water hazard (whether the ball lies in water or not), the player may under penalty of one stroke:
A. Play a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played (see Rule 20-5); or
B. Drop a ball behind the water hazard, keeping the point at which the original ball last crossed the margin of the water hazard directly between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped, with no limit to how far behind the water hazard the ball may be dropped; or
C. As additional options available only if the ball last crossed the margin of a lateral water hazard, drop a ball outside the water hazard within two club-lengths of and not nearer the hole than (i) the point where the original ball last crossed the margin of the water hazard or (ii) a point on the opposite margin of the water hazard equidistant from the hole. When proceeding under this Rule, the player may lift and clean his ball or substitute a ball.

Andrew Giuliani, son of former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani, has filed a lawsuit against Duke University to win back his spot on the golf team.
The federal lawsuit, filed in Durham, N.C., says Duke men’s golf coach O.D. Vincent cited several odd incidents as reasons why Giuliani’s eligibility for the schools’ athletics program was canceled in February.
The lawsuit asserts Vincent said Giuliani, tossed an apple at a teammate, hitting the side of his face, and that in a football game with golf teammates he “played harder than some of the other boys wanted to play.”
Included in the lawsuit is an e-mail to Giuliani from five teammates saying they no longer wanted him on the team.
“After careful consideration we have come to the unanimous decision that we wish that your involvement with the Duke Golf Team is terminated,” the e-mail says.
“Teams and athletic programs at the university have very clear processes and procedures for membership on the teams, who’s eligible, when somebody might be removed from a team,” said Michael Schoenfeld, Duke’s vice president for public affairs and government relations.
Schoenfeld said he did not know of any other similar lawsuits filed against Duke and that students do not determine team eligibility. David Henahan, a spokesman for the State University of New York, said he was unaware of similar situations at SUNY. The National Collegiate Athletic Association did not return calls.
“I just want to make sure this doesn’t happen to anyone else,” Giuliani said.
Giuliani said he looks forward to his last year at Duke, adding, “My plans are still to become a professional golfer.”
The lawsuit asserts Coach O.D. Vincent said during a football game with golf teammates, Giuliani “played harder than some of the other boys wanted to play.”
Giuliani is coached by golf professional Paul Silva at Van Cortlandt Golf Course in the Bronx.

On February 13,2005  a child in our parish named John Palmato Jr. passed away after battling Leukemia. John’s strength during a difficult time was an inspiration to many. Our annual golf outing and each ensuing outing is being held to honor the memory of John Palmato jr. Saint Pancras School will be hosting their Golf Outing on Monday May 21, 2007 at Forest Park Golf Course. Over the past five years we have been able to raise over $45,000.00 from your donations. These monies have been utilized to enhance our educational program. With your help we can continue to make the Saint Pancras School a better place for the children. We would like to ask you to please take the time to look over the levels of sponsorship and become a sponsor in our outing. Our school has been a part of the community since 1908 educating our children and helping with the development of our community, by becoming a sponsor, it gives you an excellent opportunity for advertisement and   the opportunity to thank the Families and friends of Saint Pancras School and Church that do business with you daily. Your donation will truly show your concern for the neighborhood in which we live and work in together. There are several levels of sponsorship to choose from:

• Dinner Only- $40.00
• Golf and Luncheon- $130.00
• Seniors over 60- $110.00
• Birdie- Tee or Green Sponsor $125 This will include a half page ad in the program, a sign on a tee or green, lunch at the conclusion of the outing and a certificate of appreciation to display in your place of business. (Tax Deductible).
• Eagle- Fairway sponsor $250 This will include a full page ad in the program, a sign on a fairway , lunch at the conclusion of the outing and a certificate of appreciation to display in your place of business. (Tax Deductible).
• Hole in one- Breakfast sponsor $800 This will include a full page ad in the program, a foursome to participate in the outing, a sign on a tee or green, lunch at the conclusion of the outing and a certificate of appreciation to display in your place of business. (Tax Deductible).
• 19th Hole- Luncheon sponsor $1,600 This will include a full page ad in the program, a foursome to participate in the outing, a sign on a tee or green, lunch at the conclusion of the outing and a plaque of appreciation to display in your place of business. (Tax Deductible).

If you are unable to become a sponsor and would like to assist in helping the children of Saint Pancras another way would be to donate items to be raffled off or play golf with us.  Please call 917 951 4523 or visit www.saintpancrasgolfouting.com.

If you are interested in becoming a part of the Saint Pancras Golf Outing as a sponsor or need any other information please contact me at 917 951 4523 or email at spsgolfouting@aol.com . All checks should be made payable to Saint Pancras School and mailed to Saint Pancras, Attn SPS Golf Outing, 68-20 Myrtle Ave., Glendale NY 11385.

Saint Pancras School Thanks you in advance for your generous support.

Sincerely,

Chairman: Robert Schoemig

Principle: Mr. Philip Ciani

Pastor: Father Vincent Gallo

Have you played Forest Park Golf Course? If so why not tell us about your favorite hole or the course and we will write your comments on this page.

Signature Hole: #4 A 475 yard par 5 considered one of the tougher holes in the Metropolitan area

Hole #4 Before the recently finished golf course restoration this was the first hole. A new tee was added turning the long par 4 into a 475 yard par 5.  The tee shot features a forced carry over a deep gully. It must carry 200 yards from the back tee. The second shot is to a small uphill green. A very difficult hole it offers water, hills, valleys, bunkers and an elevated green. This hole is considered one of the tougher holes in the Metropolitan area.