A Game of Integrity

Zach Nash, a golfer with integrity

I only encountered golf when I watch ESPN.  I never really understood and appreciated the concept and satisfaction of hitting the small, heavy, white, and uneven-surfaced ball. I once played golf but I never understood how it is scored. All I know,  is the lesser hit you make from aiming the hole, the bigger chance you'll win. Would you imagine? In that once I played, I actually won 3rd! (Well it was just an amateur game, plus I my opponents were my former officemates whose long been in the service for 20 years -- so basically, I was the youngest player and I don't worry too much if my athritis strikes up, lol. Not that I don't have an athritis, hey, since I was 16 years old--I already have one-- I am telling you the truth, I have an athritis at an early age). (Anyway, going back to golf...) It was fun but I would not definitely play it again unless sponsored by someone. Hell! The sport is too expensive. Luckily, my former employer was too damn rich to sponsor such event.  I am really wondering why many people are crazily dedicating and investing too much time and expenses just to perfect this sport. As I searched through the internet, golf is defined as game of accuracy, endurance (talking about extreme endurance under the sun and walking for many miles!), concentration, solemnity, geometric calculation, oneness in nature, as well as soul searching! Laban kayo? Lalim di ba? Too boring to enjoy, unless you are a logical-thinker person I guess you like the description of the sport.

As I stumble on a Yahoo News today, I read a story about a 14-year-old boy from Wisconsin who is a very good golfer, it changes my view about Golf. After winning a tournament, realizing that he violated a petty rule of the said sport? Well, what do you know? He,himself gave up the prize and the title. Even nobody notices his minor (again minor, minor -- as Ms. Universe 4th title holder Ms. Venus Raj infamously says: major, major) violation.

The Offense? The Minor Offense?

He unconcoiusly brought more than the required extra clubs during the tournament. He accidentally placed his friend's club on his golf bag. A friend of Zach left his club on his parents house so he decided to bring it with him. He may have brought it by accident during the tournament, thinking he would return his friend's club before the game. But he may unintentionally forgot about it.

What's so surprising is the kiddo was so honest that when he realizes he violated one petty rule --- he humbly informed the tournament authorities and returned the title. How applausable! His parents must very proud of their son. Not because he had won 77  Tournament titles (including the Junior Wisconsins PGA tournament. His parents must have invested lots of money for their son. I bet with his enourmous wins, he may still playing golf even in his dreams!) but with the integrity of their child has.  

And with what you've done Zach? The thought of irritated, unreasonable, bossy and quarellsome golfers on golf courses (some of golf tournaments ended with fights -- or divorce? hahaha! kidding aside ---, may be because of heat, and pressure to win...). 

 I am now thinking if may be our son, Rap, may consider playing golf when he grows up. But for now, since he just turned 3, I will just buy him plastic golf clubs. Who knows, what will he become someday? Even he won't be too famous as golf guru, Tiger Woods, I would definitely would love to see my son do the same thing as Zach did.


And according to Jay Busbee on her twitter (whom I read this news), he
praises the kid for not wanting the pride brought about by the tournament title, but for doing what is right.

Zach, for me? You are not  just "A Golfer with Integrity and Honesty"... But "The Golfer with Integrity and Honesty". Kudos to you. On what you did, Golf has proven that it is not just a status symbol game, but a game of passion for truth and honesty.



or you may visit yahoo news for more detals about "The Golfer Champ with Integrity" @
http://sports.yahoo.com/golf/blog/devil_ball_golf/post/What-would-you-do-teen-golfer-disqualifies-self?urn=golf-267228
From article: What would you do: teen golfer disqualifies self, gives up medal By Jay Busbee
Follow Jay Busbee on Twitter at @jaybusbee.