Don St George was born and raised in a generation where authority figures were honored and the rules counted. The game of golf is one of honor and those that cheat are cheating themselves. We have had members in the past who were accused of not following the rules. While the OCAGA tour is not the PGA tour, infractions have been called in the past. For example, your secretary mentioned to Bud Campion it was a penalty when Bud tapped in a three inch putt and hit the pin. It is a two stroke penalty if you hit the pin while putting, wherever it is on the green and regardless of who put it there.  Bud said you are right and took a penalty. No argument.

 Don has long been our rules man and indeed did provide official rules books to every member a couple of years ago.  Every player has the right to call a penalty when the rules have been violated and ignorance of the rules is not an excuse. Apparently Don called rookie Terry Matla for a penalty when Terry asks another player what club he used to hit.  A player may not ask for or give advice. Advice is any information that could influence the player in his choice of club, or how to play the shot. 

In Stroke play-the penalty for asking or giving advice is 2-strokes. In this case if a player asks a question that would assist his play, he receives a 2-stroke penalty. If his fellow competitor answers him, he would also receive a 2- stroke penalty.  ~    http://www.usga.org/RulesFAQ/rules.asp

This is clearly another black mark on the Shaw Administration. The secretary was not available to calm flaring tempers and the ensuing discussion became heated all the way into the clubhouse! Don St George resigned after many years in the league and Rookie Terry Matla Quit!  How unfortunate!

Meanwhile, even with the penalty Terry delivered a beautiful round of golf, placing a net 65 on the Scorecard beating out Eddie Borillo by a stroke to Win the White Oaks Tournament. Don St George was just edged out by Jack Haines who took third place. Don’s game had steadily improved and he elevated himself to third place overall with this finish.   Don is in strong position to make the final four with One Tournament to go!

One hopes that cooler heads will prevail and everything has calmed down. Both Don and Terry are assets to the OCAGA Tour

116   Ranucci

110   Hamm, G

105   St George

103   Shaw

97     Bohan

90     Spickler

83     Haines

81     Swanson

78     Ruth 

If Don does indeed remain out, Haines, Swanson and Ruth are still mathematically in the race. The more likely final four will come from the top six. Jeff Spickler put himself into the thick of it, with a fifth place finish at the Oaks and a three point closest to the pin. Scotty Shaw, taking 6^th place,  bested Bohan (8^th) and both Ranucci and Hamm, who had a relatively difficult day.  VEGAS still has both Ranucci and Hamm going to the final four, but even Charlie can lose it if the five behind him play well and Charlie does not!

NEXT    SAND BARRENS

Terry Matla takes the Lion’s Share of Handicapped and Scratch SCATS.   SCATMAN 2013