Free Golf for Military at Pinehurst on September 5

(Photo: Pinehurst No. 8)

VILLAGE OF PINEHURST, N.C. – Pinehurst Resort will host its third annual Military Appreciation Day on Monday, September 5, providing complimentary golf and special discounts to active members of the military and their spouses.

Golf will be offered on Pinehurst No. 8, with tee times running from 8 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Active duty military also will receive a 50 percent discount on all spa services, a 20 percent discount off merchandise in the resort’s retail shops and a 15 percent discount at resort restaurants.

“With the sacrifices the military makes for all of us, we wanted to show Pinehurst’s appreciation,” said Chad Campbell, Pinehurst’s director of golf.

More than 700 active military members took part in the event’s first two years. Pinehurst anticipates this year’s total to surpass 1,000 participants.

Active duty military will need to show a military ID upon arrival, but are encouraged to make advance reservations. Tee times can be booked beginning September 1 by calling (910) 235-8760. Appointments for the spa can be made immediately by calling (910) 235-8320.

VIDEO: Tom Lehman Wins 2010 Payne Stewart Award

TOM LEHMAN WAS PRESENTED the 2010 Payne Stewart Award on Tuesday at the East Lake Golf Club, site of this week’s Tour Championship. Payne died in a plane crash during the 1999 Tour Championship, which was played in late October at that time.

In the video, Lehman said he was humbled by the award, which is given annually to a player who exemplifies sportsmanship, gives back and honors the tradition of the game. Tom is a good pick.

One of the images I remember is Stewart, Lehman and others celebrating at Brookline after their miraculous comeback in the 1999 Ryder Cup. And, of course, I can still see Payne sinking that 15-foot putt on the final green at Pinehurst No. 2 to win the U.S. Open. He was gone soon after. There are few things I’m certain of, but I’m quite certain Payne would have been a Ryder Cup captain had he not gone down in that plane.

−The Armchair Golfer

The Rules Geek: Abnormal Ground Conditions Aid Amateur

Editor’s note: The Rules Geek may be an occasional and annoying feature at ARMCHAIR GOLF. We’ll see how it goes.

“I RECENTLY USED THE Rules of Golf in my favor while playing in an amateur tournament,” John Patota, The Pinehurst Golfer, told The Rules Geek.

“My ball had hit the green, bounced off the back, and landed in a hole about the size of a soda can. I was about to take an unplayable lie with a one-stroke penalty when the thought came to me: ‘This hole could have been made by a burrowing animal under the definitions of the Rules of Golf.’”

Let’s have a look at the rule, shall we?

Rule 25-1 Abnormal Ground Conditions says “interference by an abnormal ground condition occurs when a ball lies in or touches the condition or when the condition interferes with the player’s stance or the area of his intended swing.”

Back to John’s situation. “Sure enough, with a little more observation it was clear only some kind of animal could have made the hole. My playing competitor agreed, and I proceeded under Rule 25, Abnormal Ground Conditions, without a penalty.”

John took a free drop within one club length of, and not nearer the hole than, the nearest point of relief.

“That was the first time I can remember that knowing the Rules of Golf actually helped me,” he concluded.

This situation reminded The Rules Geek of Sergio Garcia’s burrowing animal ruling in a playoff against Vijay Singh at The Barclays in 2008. A television audience watched for several minutes as Garcia pleaded his case to PGA Tour official Slugger White. At the time, the Garcia ruling struck some golf fans as quite charitable. Singh went on to win, otherwise the ruling would have spurred more debate.

The Rules Geek salutes John for knowing the rules and calling over his playing competitor to confirm the ruling.

The Rules Geek sez rules were made to be followed. Got a rules-related tip or story? Send it to The Rules Geek at armchairgolfer@gmail.com.

Related:
Hunter Mahan’s Driver Replacement

(Image: Old Shoe Woman/Flickr)

Reader Sends Proof of Prize Photo

“GOT YOUR PACKAGE YESTERDAY,” wrote JW Blair. “I will put it up in my office at the house with my other collectibles and send you a photo that you can use to let everyone know you really do award those prizes.”

Thanks to JW for the above photo. Displayed with his impressive major championship flag collection is a Pinehurst scorecard autographed by Natalie Gulbis and Zach Johnson that JW won in a free drawing. During the holidays, ARMCHAIR GOLF gave away golf books, DVDs, accessories and more.

−The Armchair Golfer