The Annual Rules Seminar of the Maryland State Golf Association-Women’s Division took place at Argyle Country Club in Silver Spring on Monday, April 25, 2017. The seminar was attended by 71 people, including 11 past and present members of the Women’s Division and MSGA staff. The President of the MSGA addressed the group during introductions.
For the second year, Jerry Duffy, Past President of the Maryland State Golf Association and USGA Rules Official, entertained the participants with an informed while humorous presentation of many of the rules of golf. A thread throughout Jerry’s presentation is how knowledge of the rules can benefit the player. Questions were asked and answered during the session which kept the audience engaged throughout the morning.
This was the first rules seminar for a sizeable percentage of the attendees. All received a copy of the Rules of Golf. Six participants received copies of the Decisions on the Rules of Golf 2016-2017 or The Principles Behind the Rules of Golf in a drawing which took place following a buffet lunch provided for everyone.
Jean Mulcahey, Chair of the Women’s Rules Committee and moderator for the day, then discussed and answered questions about the new USGA Local Rule regarding the accidental movement of a ball on the putting green.
This was followed by breaking the larger group into groups of about 15 each. Each group then rotated to four stations (indoor due to inclement weather) where rules were illustrated at simulated water hazards, a putting green, bunker, and teeing ground, as well as when encountering obstructions and abnormal ground conditions. Jean was assisted at the stations by presenters Joan Heiss, Diane Herndon, and Jerry Duffy, who combined presentations and answering questions into 30-minute mini-sessions with each group.
-Reported by Carolyn Hudson, MSGA-WD President
