The Annual Rules Seminar of the MSGA-Women’s Division took place at The Elkridge Club in Baltimore on Monday, April 25th, 2016. Jerry Duffy, Past President of the Maryland State Golf Association and USGA Rules Official, gave a spirited presentation interspersing humor throughout his discussion of many of the rules. Jerry illustrated through many humorous stories, how knowledge of the rules can benefit the player. There were 80 people in attendance which included 16 past and present members of the Women’s Division and MSGA staff. Questions were asked and answered during the session which kept the audience engaged throughout the morning. After a break for lunch, Jean Mulcahey, Chair of the Women’s Rules Committee and moderator for the day, gave a Power Point presentation on the significant changes to the Rules of Golf in 2016.
Toward mid-afternoon, everyone went outside in groups which moved from station to station where rules were illustrated at a bunker, putting green, and teeing ground, as well as at water hazards and also when encountering obstructions and abnormal ground conditions. Jean was assisted at the stations by presenters Stacey Collins and Diane Herndon, both Past Presidents of the Women’s Division, and Joan Heiss, currently a member of the Woman’s Division. All four of the afternoon presenters currently serve on or chair USGA Committees.
For many of the participants this was their first Rules Seminar while many have attended in the past. All participants received a copy of the Rules of Golf. Five participants received a copy of the Decisions on the Rules of Golf 2016-2017, and two received a copy of The Principles Behind the Rules of Golf in a drawing which took place during the morning.
-Reported by Carolyn Hudson, MSGA-WD President