Out Of Bounds Ochoa

The Notice to Players has language regarding the Out of Bounds markings on the course. If you get to see an overhead shot of the course, you will see public roads that weave around many of the holes.

Because of these public roads with the golf course on either side and because of Decision 27/20, the following language was added regarding our Out of Bounds:

This language was necessary when, on Thursday, Lorena Ochoa hit her approach shot to the 17^th green. Lorena’s shot hit hard on a slope and went flying off the back of the green toward the grandstands. The fickle golf gods were not on her side this time as the ball missed two sets of grandstands and ended up crossing Grove Road. Her ball was on another part of the course. Too bad it was the wrong side of the road.

Fortunately, with this group we had Steve Johnson of North Carolina as the observer and Pennsylvania’s Jan Kitka as the referee. Steve acted as a forward observer and was able to radio Jan that indeed the ball was Out of Bounds. This saved some time as Jan was able to tell Ochoa right away. Ochoa immediately applied Rule 27.

It was a good thing we had that situation already covered in our Notice to Players so the player and officials could act quickly on the situation.

Language for various local rules and other helpful information for running your own event can be found in How to Conduct a Competition. It is a great publication for any golf organization or club that runs an event.

Wendy Uzelac

USGA Director of Regional Affairs, Midwest Region