(Rules 1.3; 9.1b; and 9.2; the “KVC” Standard)

All the talk on the practice range is college football. “Will they play?” Fans are getting excited, and rightfully so. Players have worked hard and deserve a chance to play. The country can use a break from Covid stress and political rancor. Sports can help unify the nation! Right?

But is unity really on the plate for college football fans? Foremost sees a September surprise.

Here’s the problem … in an action that basically flew under the radar, the NCAA authorized players or teams to add “social justice” messaging to their uniforms … just a discreet patch or message …in a couple of places on the jersey.

F is going to go out on a limb here, with a guess that the patch of choice will pay tribute to Black Lives Matter. While there has been limited evidence to support this suspicion, F finds the silence about the issue rather deafening, and he sees a rather cozy relationship between universities, coaches, and Nike (the company with the Kaepernick partnership), as Nike pays millions of dollars to universities, dollars which universities use to subsidize non-revenue sports, and augment the astronomical salaries of coaches.

F, frankly, is going to have a hard time purchasing tickets and going to games to support teams which choose to honor BLM. While this movement may have started with a noble humanitarian aim of combatting racism, it has evolved in many quarters as anti-police, and as a cover for rioting, anarchy, and looting.

These aren’t just mad musings from F. Attorney General William Barr recently denounced BLM, saying the movement is comprised of revolutionaries, communists, Bolsheviks, and socialists intent on tearing things apart. He calls their tactics “fascistic”. Go team!

F has contacted the ADs or SIDS of 4 schools in the SEC (yes, Reader favorites) and asked two simple questions: will your school be wearing social justice patches? If so, what will they say? He hasn’t received a response. What are they hiding?

F just doesn’t want to be caught buying tickets or sitting in the stands eating a hot-dog (okay, maybe two hot-dogs) supporting the BLM movement. It’s that simple. He suspects Joe Fan at a lot of places will not want to be in that situation either.

Wouldn’t it be great if college football was just about college football? F doesn’t see this on the horizon. Any push-back will have to come from Joe Fan. It isn’t going to come from Universities or coaches.

But then again, F could be dead wrong… the patches may read, “Build the Wall!”

Facts: The Spirit of the Game

Golf requires a player to be honest and sometimes apply a penalty to himself after considering the circumstances and whether his action led to any potential advantage. (R1.3).

In heated Mens’ Play competition at HCC, Reader PB volunteered that his ball had moved during his stroke. He said he had been unable to stop his downswing and had hit the ball as it moved.

F asked PB if he had somehow caused his ball to move. Did he rustle the grass dislodging the ball in his backswing? Did the ball move as a result of a weight shift?

“Absolutely not!”, said PB. “The darn thing just started rolling.”

Issues

Was PB required to replace his ball and replay the shot?

Did he incur a penalty stroke?

Ruling

If the ball moves during a stroke, there is no requirement that the ball be replaced or replayed. The ball is played as it lies as a result of the stroke. (R9.1b).

Whether a penalty stroke is assessed depends on what caused the ball to move. There are four things can cause a ball to move: the player (or his caddie); an opponent (or his caddie) in match play; an outside influence; or natural forces. (R9.2).

The Reader might remember the Known or Virtually Certain standard that was discussed in a recent post. Unless the KVC standard (95%) is met as to whether the player, his opponent, or an outside influence caused the ball to move, the ball is treated as having been moved by natural forces. If PB didn’t think he caused his ball to move under the KVC standard, then no penalty. (R9.2).

Golfers, of course, have to be able to look themselves in the mirror at the end of the day, and know they made the right decision under the circumstances in the spirit of the game.

College football fans may soon find that they have this same opportunity!

As usual, all comments or corrections are welcome!

Respectfully submitted,

F