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PNGA Winter Rules

With the weather as it is, its probably important to revisit winter rules. From the PNGA Rules Committee, here are the official Winter Rules:

The following Preferred Lie Local Rule may be used by clubs for various reasons during the inactive or winter handicap freeze period when scores are not being posted for handicap purposes or when extreme abnormal course conditions dictate.

However, the USGA and the PNGA strongly recommend that during the active period when scores are being posted for handicap purposes, the ball should be played as it lies in accordance with the Rules of Golf.

1. A ball may be moved through the green* with the following restrictions:
A ball shall not be moved when it lies:
Within 36 inches of the base of a tree, stump, shrub or out of bounds.

2. If lifted, the ball shall be marked; it may be cleaned; and shall be placed no more than 6" from its original lie, no nearer the hole.

Use of the clubhead in the movement and placement of the ball is prohibited.

A. A ball so lifted is deemed to be back in play once it has been placed.
B. While in the act of placing, the ball may be repositioned. For the purpose of this condition, the ball is considered placed, and may not be repositioned, once it has been at rest for five seconds.
C. A ball back in play that moves prior to address shall be played as it lies unless Rule 18 requires replacement.
D. A player is entitled to exercise this preferred lies option one time only per shot.

3. The Embedded Ball Rule shall be in effect through the green*.

A. Anywhere "through the green," a ball which is embedded in its own pitch-mark in the ground, except in loose sand, may be lifted without penalty, cleaned and dropped as near as possible to the spot where it lay but not nearer the hole.
B. When an embedded ball is lost "beyond a reasonable doubt" in wet, soft turf, another ball may be put to play as near as possible to the spot the original ball was lost without penalty.
Exception: A player may not obtain relief under this Local Rule if it is clearly unreasonable to play a stroke because of interference by anything other than the conditions covered by this Local Rule. (Unplayable lie, etc.).

*Definition
"Through the green" is the whole area of the course except:

The teeing ground and putting green of the hole being played and all hazards on the course.

General Penalty for Breach of this Rule:
Stroke Play - Two Strokes: Match Play - Loss of Hole

Read the official transcript here:
PNGAWinterRules.pdf

NWGolfGuys.com Facebook Group

Join the NWGolfGuys.com Facebook group! Yet another great way to connect with fellow local golfers is the new Facebook group for NWGolfGuys.com.

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http://www.facebook.com/pages/NWGolfGuyscom/41983469176

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Indian Creek Golf Course becomes Audubon Certified

Congratulations to Indian Creek Golf Course in Hood River for becoming the 19th Audubon Certified Golf Course in Oregon. You can read the text version below. You can also click the link at the bottom of the post for the official Press Release.

Indian Creek Golf Course Recognized for Environmental Excellence

HOOD RIVER, OR – Indian Creek Golf Course has achieved designation as a "Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary" through the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses, an Audubon International program. Indian Creek Golf Course is the 19th course in Oregon and the 691st in the world to receive the honor. Tyson Jacobs, Course Superintendent, has led the effort to obtain sanctuary status on this course and is being recognized for Environmental Stewardship by Audubon International.

"Indian Creek Golf Course has shown a strong commitment to its environmental program. They are to be commended for their efforts to provide a sanctuary for wildlife on the golf course property," said Jim Sluiter, Staff Ecologist for the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Programs.

"To reach certification, a course must demonstrate that they are maintaining a high degree of environmental quality in a number of areas," explained Sluiter. These categories include: Environmental Planning, Wildlife & Habitat Management, Outreach and Education, Chemical Use Reduction and Safety, Water Conservation, and Water Quality Management.

"We are very proud of this accomplishment, and are looking forward to the further enhancement of Indian Creek Golf Course,” said Superintendent Jacobs.

The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses, endorsed by the United States Golf Association, provides information and guidance to help golf courses preserve and enhance wildlife habitat, and protect natural resourses. Golf courses from Canada, Africa, Australia, Central America, Europe, Mexico, and Southeast Asia have also achieved certification in the program.

For more information on golf and the environment, visit www.golfandenvironment.org. In addition to golf courses, Audubon International also provides programs for businesses, schools, communities, and new developments. For more information, contact Audubon International, 46 Rarick Rd., Selkirk, NY 12158, USA, (518) 767-9051, e-mail them via the Internet at acsp@auduboninternational.org, or visit their website at http://www.auduboninternational.org/.

Offical Press Release: Indian_Creek_Audubon.pdf

NWGolfGuys on Tiger Woods 09

Nick Ralston




Sean Ferris




Travis Schoen







Kicked off at RedTail, we're underway!

Just a quick reminder that golf season '09 is underway! The NWGolfGuys have already been out to play several times this calendar year, but now it's time to start posting. GolfGuyNick and I played our first official round (though just 9 holes) on Monday at RedTail....

I was 6 over par heading into the Par 5 9th. I had no double bogeys on the card, and was en route to playing a satisfying round for March at RedTail. I was about 20 yards to the right of the green laying 2. With a tough shot ahead of me, I was in great shape to play conservatively, collect my par, and be happy with a score of 42. But what do I do instead? I got greedy and tried to throw a pretty loft shot over the bunker and drop it close to the tightly positioned hole. Of course, I came up short on the low percentage shot. Then I under-hit my bunker shot, which hit the bank and rolled back in to a horrible position. I then took my 2nd bunker shot, which was up against the lip, and it went backwards....still in the bunker. 3rd times the charm, as I finally exited the trap. I then missed a 10 foot putt to finish with a snowman/ocho/quad-bogey if you will, and a total score of 45.

Moral of the story: It's time to get back in golf shape. It's a long season, but it's underway. Go out there and start fine tuning your game. You will take some lumps, but it's how you respond to the challenge that matters.