The Game Golf and the Game Life

In the recent Tour Championship, Sahith Theegala called a penalty on himself in the bunker on the par-4 third hole at East Lake Golf Club. The violation was so slight, so imperceptible, that not one other person (probably in all golfdom) saw it. But Sahith saw it. In fact, it was so microscopic that Sahith did not even feel it, he thought he saw a little sand move during his backswing. 

We have had incidents of integrity before but, in my time of playing or watching golf, this is perhaps the most minute violation I have seen, particularly when we stop to consider that this petty penalty cost Mr. Theegala some $3.75 million! Let’s take a minute here and be honest. How many could actually be that scrupulous? The immediate temptation is they think or say, “Oh, of course I would.”  Well, all I’m saying is I wonder?

Making this story even more notable is that it took place at East Lake GC, the home course of none other than the great Bobby Jones. Mr. Jones was possibly the most distinguished golfer we ever have known publicly. He was the literal definition of a Renaissance man, or as some might call him, a Polymath. Why? Let’s start with this:

* He attended Emory University to study law. He passed the Georgia bar after three semesters and opened a successful law practice.

* He had a degree in English Literature from Harvard!

* He had a Mechanical Engineering degree from Georgia Tech.

* He was a prolific author, including autobiographical works, “Down the Fairway”and “Golf is My Game” and the classic instructional book “Bobby Jones on Golf.”  (If your golf Library does not include “Bobby Jones on Golf,” you don’t have a golf library)

* Bobby and his wife, Mary Malone, went on to raise three children.

* He built and designed (along with Alistair MacKenzie) The Augusta National Golf Club.

* Jones also originated the Masters Golf Tournament.

And oh yeah, in his spare time he was the greatest amateur golfer in history. Mr. Jones’ playing record was nothing short of other-worldly!

* He won 13 major championships including:

* Four US Opens

* Five US Amateurs

* Three British Opens

* One British Amateur

* (The US Am was a major in his day)

* Won original “Grand Slam”- all four majors in one season.

* He accomplished all this by the ripe age of 28 years and then retired from competitive golf.

* Most golf historians consider the period 1923-1930 the most dominant era by a single player ever. Consider that during this stretch Bobby entered 12 USGA championships and was first or second in 11 of them.