Wow, the 2009 season is almost over and as I look back, man was the SNGA staff busy. Here is a recap of what was accomplished: 1. Highland Falls and Palm Valley Golf Club became SNGA’s Home Courses to bring low rates to all SNGA members. 2. The SNGA’s e-newsletter, The Grind, was created and is distributed monthly to almost 7,000 members. 3. 16 course ratings were completed. (43 days out of the office staff time) 4. 27 golf tournaments were conducted. (96 days out of the office staff time, including 10 days for USGA tournaments and 10 days for community tournaments) 5. Cleveland Golf, Pebble Beach Resort, and Rio Secco Golf Club became first time sponsors of the SNGA. 6. SNGA and UNLV’s PGM Program teamed up incorporating SNGA tournaments as part of the PGM student’s curriculum on how to run competitive events. 7. $4,500 was raised for 3 local Charities: Members of The Purple Heart Veterans, UNLV Lady Rebels Golf Team, and The First Tee of Southern Nevada. 8. Became a Founding Member of Nevada Golf Industry Alliance and helped kill the bill on higher property taxes for golf courses in Nevada. 9. SNGA’s Tournament Players Committee and Board of Directors handed down long term suspensions for two players. 10. 3 players were given a 1 stroke penalty for slow play. As 2010 approaches, we are already thinking about how to top 2009 by bringing the community together through the game we all love. I hope your 2009 was as successful as ours.

Issue Dec.

2009 SNGA Recap by Nicole Dutt-Roberts In This Issue >>>

The Official Newsletter of the Southern Nevada Golf Association

1. 2009 SNGA Recap 2. Rio Secco Golf Club 3. Body Balance for Performance 4. Annie’s Gourmet Italian 5. What’s on Tap?

The Grind

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Happy Holidays from SNGA!

Misunderstood Rules by Casey Mersch >>> Unique Situations on The Putting Green

When a ball lies on the putting green, many unique rules situations come into play. Whether a ball is deflected by another golf ball, moves at address, or strikes the flag stick; knowing the proper procedures is vital in ensuring you are playing within the USGA Rules of Golf. Let’s explore some unique situations on the putting green: SITUATION 1: A golf ball lying on the putting green is deflected by another ball struck from off the putting green. The original ball at rest is replaced at the point where it originally lay; and the other ball is played as it lies. No Penalty (Rule 18-5) SITUATION 2: A golf ball lies on the putting green and is subsequently moved by wind or gravity before he/she has addressed the ball. The ball is played as it lies, whether the ball comes to rest on or off the putting green (No Penalty). Wind and/or gravity are not defined as “outside agencies;” so the provisions of Rule 18-1 do not apply. SITUATION 3: A player’s ball lying on the putting green moves after he/she has addressed the ball but before he/she has made a stroke at the ball. The ball must be replaced and the player incurs a 1 stroke penalty. (Rule 18-2 b) SITUATION 4: A player’s ball lying on the putting green moves after he has addressed the ball and begun the backward movement of the club; the player continues with the stroke. The player incurs a 1 stroke penalty and the ball is played as it lies. (Rule 19-2) SITUATION 5: A player’s ball struck from the putting green strikes the flag stick that is lying to the side of the hole. The player incurs the general penalty (2 stroke penalty in stroke play or loss of hole in match play) and the ball is played as it lies. (Rule 17-3) SITUATION 6: Is a player permitted to brush aside or mop up casual water on his line of putt? No, such an action is a breach of Rule 16-1a (Touching Line of Putt). General Penalty of 2 strokes in stroke play and loss of hole in match play. (Decision 16-1a/1) SITUATION 7: A player, whose ball has come to rest overhanging the hole, cast his shadow over the ball in an attempt to make the grass wilt and his ball to fall in the hole. Is the player in breach of a Rule of Golf? No, this action is not deemed to be exerting influence on the ball. (Decision 16-2/3) If the player waits more than 10 seconds see decision 16-2/1 for the one stroke penalty that applies. Knowing these and other unique situations on the putting green will help you play by the rules. For more information, consult the USGA Decisions on the Rules of Golf (pages i117-i120…all matters related to the “putting green”).

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Golf combines two favorite American pastimes: taking long walks and hitting things with a stick. ~P.J. O'Rourke

thoughts... final

Las Vegas National Golf Club Site of the 2009 SNGA Season Opener

What’s on Tap >>>

SNGA Needs Course Raters The SNGA is actively seeking new course rating volun-teers for 2010, no experience necessary. Please see be-low for information on the SNGA's first course rating of 2010: A course rating for the Revere at Anthem - Lexington Course has been scheduled for January 18th - 19th (Monday - Tuesday). Day 1 (Monday) will consist of measuring the golf course. Day 2 (Tuesday) will consist of rating the golf course. We are scheduled to begin at 8:00 AM on both Mon. and Tues. The playing date is TBD (in order to play the golf course, you must assist with measuring and/or rating). If you are interested in volunteering or have questions, please feel free to call us at 702-458-4653 x 214 at your earliest convenience. Thank you for your support of amateur golf in Southern Nevada.

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2625 N. Green Valley Pkwy. Suite 100 Henderson, NV 89014

702-458-4653 www.snga.org