In one of our recent Pennant matches, we had a difficult ruling to make regarding a moving ball while putting. After much searching on the internet using our mobile phones, we came up with an answer from one of the R&A rule books that favoured our player, Michael Bell. Please read the following article that was published in the golfing news of our opposition from that day, Muirfield, headed "The Spirit of the game".
The Spirit of the Game
"Pennant Match Play is played, for the most part, without the supervision of a referee. The game relies on the integrity of the individual to conduct themselves with courtesy and sportsmanship at all times, irrespective of how competitive they may be. On Sunday, as Dean Forrest started his stroke over a short putt on the 14th green to go 3 up, his ball moved and he stopped his stroke. Confusion over the rule led to Dean accepting the general penalty of 'loss of hole', taking him back to 1 up. Fast forward to the 18th green and Dean, now 1 down facing a par putt whilst his opponent had a shorter birdie putt, was conceded the hole by his opponent, who was still unsure of the rule applied at the 14th and felt all square was a fair result for the match. A credit to the player, Michael Bell, and the entire Camden team".
Camden Golf Club would like to congratulate Michael Bell on his honourable gesture. As it turns out, Michael was correct to be 'unsure' of the earlier call, as further investigation after the match with Golf NSW determined that we had in fact made an incorrect ruling. However, at the time, Michael could have simply taken a win on the final hole. Sportsmanship of this quality should be applauded.
I would also like to congratulate Manager Brett Moyes. When informed the next day of GolfNSW's response to my request for a ruling, Brett immediately contacted the Muirfield Manager to offer an apology.