USGA Rules Official Handles Pro Event


By David Shefter, USGA

Far Hills, N.J. - It isn't often that Jeff Hall can show up at a golf competition and focus on one job.

As the managing director of Rules and competition for the USGA, Hall normally has to multi-task while working championships. Whether it is handling 18th-hole scoring at the U.S. Open, selecting hole locations and rough heights at the U.S. Senior Open or figuring out committee Rules assignments at the U.S. Women's Mid-Amateur, his days - like others working USGA championships - often begin before sunrise and usually don't conclude before dusk.

Last week, Hall got the unique opportunity to step away from his "normal" duties. As an invited guest of the Accenture World Match Play Championship outside of Tucson, Ariz., Hall was one of a handful of Rules officials from associations throughout the world to work the five-day competition. He was joined by individuals from The R&A, European Tour, Asian Tour, Japan Tour and Canadian Tour.

Hall
So how would the USGA get involved in such an event? Match play experience certainly helps since all but three USGA championships utilize that format. Virtually every professional competition, outside of team events, is staged at stroke play. And most golfers know the Rules governing the two formats are quite different in some circumstances.

"From the [PGA] Tour's standpoint, they get the benefit of having someone with match-play experience," said Hall, who also worked this same event in 2007. "From our standpoint, it allows the players we see at the [U.S.] Open to see us in a different light. It only helps our credibility as an association. It's good to be out and seen with a USGA affiliation in a different circumstance."

In fact, USGA Rules staffers occasionally get to step away from their roles of running championships or teaching Rules schools to work at non-USGA competitions. For years, Tom Meeks, the now-retired former senior director of Rules and competitions, assisted at several non-USGA events, including the Accenture Match Play.

So it is not uncommon to find a USGA staff member at the Masters, PGA Championship, British Open, NCAA Championship, The Players Championship or the President's Cup. Scheduling often dictates who gets to go. Last year Mike Davis, Meeks' replacement as the USGA's senior director of Rules and competitions, worked the Masters and President's Cup. Donna Mummert, another USGA Rules official, has assisted at the PGA Championship.

"I think it's a win-win all the way around," said Hall. "It's good to be seen by the players in a different setting. It's good to see other officials in a different setting. And it's nice to have game-on, so to speak, for a period of time and have another time of the day where you really are a guest."

At a USGA championship, Hall might have to perform several duties during the course of a day. At the Accenture Match Play Championship, Hall's only duty was to act as a walking referee with a match.

"It's a great way to have the freedom to look around and view how other associations do things," said Hall. "But to not be out there when the sun's coming up or be out there when the sun is going down at a championship is a very strange feeling. It is enjoyable, but it's very different."

It's not every day that you have to walk up and introduce yourself to the world's No. 1 player. Hall had been around Tiger Woods before dating back to the 1995 Walker Cup when he served as the team manager. At the 2007 event, he walked with Woods during his second-round win over Tim Clark. It was the first time Hall had ever watched Woods ply his trade while so close.

This year Hall wound up drawing the match of the week with Woods and Australian Aaron Baddeley. Woods needed 12 birdies and 20 holes to win the third-round affair, although Baddeley had putts at holes 18 and 19 that could have eliminated the 13-time major champion.

"It was amazing to watch," said Hall. "It was golf at a very high level."

Only once was Hall called in to handle a Rules situation. It happened when Baddeley's second shot at the par-5 fifth hole found a prickly pear cactus. Although the crowds were larger than normal and there were more media members present, he handled the ruling the same way he would had it been the club championship.

"I think that's one of the great beauties and justices of our game," said Hall. "The name and number on the jersey is really of no concern from a Rules standpoint. It's a pretty neat feeling. Whether it's Tiger Woods or a 14 year old at the Girls' Junior . you are going to ask the same questions and apply the Rules in the same way."

In Thursday's second round, Hall drew 1999 USA Walker Cupper Jonathan Byrd and Andres Romero of Argentina. Romero didn't speak any English; his caddie knew a little. So at the first hole, Romero's tee shot went far to the right and he needed to play a provisional. Hall heard Romero mumble something in Spanish before hitting a provisional ball.

"I go, 'Provisional?' " said Hall. "He just nods. Thirty seconds later, I asked Jonathan Byrd, was that provisional in Spanish? Sure enough it was. As it turned out, we found his original ball.

"In match play, you just have to be on guard all the time because you don't have much of a window to fix things. In stroke play if you make a mistake, you can still get the scorecard right."

DavidShefteris a staff writer for the USGA. E-mail him with questions or comments at dshefter@usga.org.