www.csua.org/u/mz2 -> sports.yahoo.com/golf/blog/devil_ball_golf/post/J-P-Hayes-is-as-honest-as-we-like-to-think-we-a?urn=golf,123304
The true test of a man's character is what he does when no one is watching. John Wooden said that, or maybe it was Spider-Man Whatever, it still holds true; being noble and upstanding is easy enough when you've got people watching, but when you're alone with yourself, when you could do the wrong thing (or avoid the right thing) and get away with it, well -- that's when you find out what kind of person you are.
with some severe, career-altering effects down the line. So easily, you'll cringe: On his 12th hole of the first round at Deerwood Country Club last Wednesday, Hayes' caddie reached into his golf bag, pulled out a ball and flipped it to Hayes, who missed the green with his tee shot. It was then that Hayes realized the ball was not the same model Titleist with which he had started his round. That was in violation of the one-ball rule, which stipulates that a player must play the same model throughout a round. He recovered well enough to put himself in position to finish in the top 20 and advance to the third and final round of Q School. The top 25 finishers in that round, plus ties, earn exempt status for the entire 2009 PGA season. So, breathe deep, think about how close you came to disaster, then tee it up for the next round. Only, while Hayes was breathing deep, he realized something else -- not only did he play the wrong ball, he might have played a ball that wasn't even approved for play at all. "It was a Titleist prototype, and somehow it had gotten into my bag," he said. "It had been four weeks since Titleist gave me some prototype balls and I tested them. I called an official in Houston that night and said, 'I think I may have a problem. I pretty much knew at that point I was going to be disqualified." Now, the easy move here would be to either do nothing or blame the caddy. Hayes rose above both those temptations, putting all the blame on himself and asserting that everybody else on the PGA in his shoes would have done the exact same thing. Also, Hayes already has more than $7 million in career earnings, so it's not like he'd consigned himself to another year working the counter at the Quik Stop. But still, knowing you're taking yourself out of the running for a year of career stability and wealth takes some serious situational ethics.
Report Abuse With $7 million in career prize money, probably more in endorsements, what would the fall out be of geting caught cheating? I bet the sponsor exemptions will be easier next year with this story all over the media. Not to be critical of JP Hayes but just not sure the writer considered how easy a choice this was compared to say a Tillman who leaves the NFL to fight the war.
Report Abuse Never said it was "heroism," chase, just an honorable thing to do. Also, in the spirit of Mr Hayes, I goofed and wrote that he had advanced to the third stage; he only completed the first two rounds of the tournament, and put himself in POSITION to advance.
Report Abuse Very well put Jay regarding chase07470's comments. Not that Pat Tillman in not an honorable man, I think the point is that there are a lot of guys and girls who would not call the penalty on themselves. By doing this it shows that golf is more about than winning the millions, it's a testament to the integrity the players like JP Hayes has. If you don't like golf chase then just say it you don't have to make some rant about how Pat Tillman was heroic, everybody knows he was heroic. Great story Jay, I think it is important all people of all ages, genders and races to hear of these types of situations.
Report Abuse Hey Busbee, give chase some credit for articulating a realistic argument, and putting perspective as to how NOT a big deal it was. It was the right thing to do, for him and his career, hence his decision is the that prolific.
Report Abuse I am pretty sure to " label " J P Hayes as an " honorable " pro golfer. Too bad he was caught with an " illegal " or " non-conforming " ball. That was classy of J P Hayes to " disqualify " himself from going into the Final Stage of the Q - School.
Report Abuse I believe its easy for us to make that choice because we have nothing to lose by stating our opinion. JP on the other hand was following a tradition that makes golf so different, and IMHO better, than any other sport on this planet. It is only by being a gentlemen (or lady) and following the rules established, that one promotes and plays the game properly. Kudos go out to JP for his honesty and to Jay for sharing.
Report Abuse No other sport has more stories of honorable actions like the one involving JP Hayes. Obviously a man of high character who values being able to look at himself in the mirror more than getting ahead. Funny thing is, he will probably be remembered for this single action more than any other golfing accomplishment. JP will be around pro golf for a while and have plenty of good things happen to him, I am sure.
Report Abuse There is no need to compare what JP Hayes did with any other situation. It speaks for itself and quite obviously it was the "honorable" thing to do. The real dilemma would have been if he was merely a relative "duffer" and barely making it on the Tour (ie, no assets and no endorsements). So I guess we'll never know how "honorable" he would have been in that situation (or anyone else for that matter. Lastly, as for Pat Tillman, he certainly acted on his beliefs -- whether that makes him a "hero" or not is in the eye of the beholder. And let's all remember that he was killed by friendly fire which the US Military tried to cover up.
Report Abuse A big problem the PGA Tour has is not a player,at an assessed cost of a two stroke penalty, using a non-conforming ball for one hole. The problem is the tricked up balls and clubs that ARE allowed, and have vastly changed and helped ruin the game.
Report Abuse Jay, the PGA has to have rules this I understand but and this is a big BUT they also have alot of BS rules even you have to admit that, example how did this ball hurt anything he even missed the green but lets look at some others that let certain players get away with. Remember years back when the Walrus used a towel to kneel down on under a tree where the ground was wet (2 stroke penalty), Tiger Woods hits another drive wild off the tee and it lands behind a boulder the size of a small mountain, they let him have 15 men move it out of his way and why is this allowed (a loose impediment) my ass. If it was a loose impediment why did it take all those guys to move it and why do half of them have hernias now? If it wasn't Tiger the player would have to play it where it lays and you know it, ( LOOSE IMPEDIMENT YEAH RIGHT) 18.
i think qualifying for the tour should be based on one's ability to play well in the most stressful stage in golf. i think jp needs to distinguish what honesty is, not stupidity.
Calling a penalty on yourself for such an insignificant infraction (one which no one would ever know about) and can mean you getting or losing your PGA card is total stupidity. But then again, if JP had never made 7 million dollars and was just a young kid trying to survive by getting his PGA card for the time, I doubt very much he would call this penalty on himself.
He says Hayes shouldn't have done it because he needs to "feed his family." If you've got $7 mil in the bank, that won't be a problem and Golic is basically encouraging people to cheat if they can get away with it. Since when does someone who's a millionaire have problems feeding his family Mike?
Report Abuse What I can't figure out is most of the guys on tour use proto type putters, shafts and sometimes club heads. I know Titleist just lost a patent to Callaway to stop selling the Pro V1.
Report Abuse Firstly, 7 million in CAREER earnings, after living expenses and taxes would leave him with a million or two at most. While this sounds like a lot to some of you it really isn't, and he has put in a lifetime of work to earn that. To put in layman's terms, this would be equivilent to the dude who washes dishes at McDonalds admitting that he forgot to put the soap in the washer one day and therefore turns down his entire month's salary. Now when th...
|
http://csua.com/feed/