Short Shots

KGF events upcoming
The Kansas Golf Foundation has three big events planned this year, starting with its second annual Tee Time Auction. The auction began March 29 and runs until April 12. It gives golfers the opportunity to bid on rounds of golf at courses that they don’t normally get to play. The KGF has 12 tee times to some of the best courses in Kansas and some top regional destinations. For further information, the Tee Time Auction has its own website at http://auctions.readysetauction.com/kansasgolffoundation/home.
The Foundation’s annual Golf Marathon is set for April 26 at Leawood South Country Club.

Golfers will play as many holes as possible that day. They can solicit donations on a holes-played basis or on a flat rate. Anyone interested in the marathon can simply go to the new website: marathon.kansasgolf.org. It will have all the information on how to get involved. You can also contact The Foundation at foundation@kansasgolf.org or (785) 482-4833 Ext. 205.
   On Aug. 9, the KGF Team Championship will return to Flint Hills National Golf Club in Andover. The field will be limited to 36 teams (72 players) who will be treated to lunch in the Flint Hills clubhouse before golf and a first-class cocktail party afterwards. The team entry fee is $550, and entries are now being taken. A portion of the entry fee is tax-deductible. Players who participated in the first KGF Team Championship will have entry priority for the 2010 event. Online entry is available at www.kansasgolf.org. For information about playing or becoming a sponsor, contact Phil Miller, Kansas Golf Foundation executive director, (800) 844-4833 Ext. 205 or by e-mail at phil@kansasgolf.org.

Tiger returning for Masters
    The “Quest for Jack” continues at Augusta after all. That much ballyhooed return of Tiger Woods will come this month at the first major of 2010 as the game’s best player again takes up his pursuit of the Golden Bear’s career major record.
   Woods announced on his website tigerwoods.com last month that he will begin his 2010 season at the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

   "The Masters is where I won my first major, and I view this tournament with great respect. After a long and necessary time away from the game, I feel like I'm ready to start my season at Augusta,” Woods was quoted. "The major championships have always been a special focus in my career and, as a professional, I think Augusta is where I need to be, even though it's been awhile since I last played. I would also like to thank the Augusta National members and staff for their support. I have deep appreciation for everything that they do to create a wonderful event for the benefit of the game."
   Woods ended speculation that he might return to play at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill in Orlando, an event he has dominated over the years.
   "When I finally got into a position to think about competitive golf again, it became apparent to me that the Masters would be the earliest I could play,” Woods said. “I called both Joe Lewis and Arnold Palmer and expressed my regrets for not attending the Tavistock Cup and the Arnold Palmer Invitational. I again want to thank them both for their support and their understanding. Those are fantastic tournaments, and I look forward to competing in them again.”
   Woods also addressed his off-the-course issues in the statement.
   "I have undergone almost two months of inpatient therapy, and I am continuing my treatment,” he said. “Although I'm returning to competition, I still have a lot of work to do in my personal life.”

USGA planning forum on equipment rules
   In keeping with its mission of service to the game of golf, the USGA actively works to improve the operations of all its core functions, from conducting national championships to promoting environmentally sustainable course management practices to implementing and modifying the rules governing golf equipment.
   Now that the first rollback of golf equipment in more than 75 years has been initiated, we

believe that this is an appropriate time to evaluate the process utilized for formulating equipment rules.
   In an effort to improve the equipment rulemaking process, the USGA will hold a forum on the process of equipment rulemaking in fall 2010. The forum will be held at Golf House in Far Hills, N.J., on a specific date to be determined and announced at a later time. We will invite all stakeholders in the game to participate, including manufacturers, players, media, golf organizations and other interested parties. The main purpose of this forum is to allow stakeholders the opportunity to make their views on equipment rulemaking known to the USGA, and to each other. Appropriate protocols will be established to allow an efficient and fair opportunity for those wishing to participate.
   The USGA anticipates that the forum will provide input that can help the USGA enhance the rulemaking process, including procedures for making new equipment rules, changing existing rules, and modifying rule-associated measurement systems, as well as enhancing the associated processes for implementing such changes.
   Examples of topics for discussion include:
·            The process by which new equipment rules and rule changes are proposed
·            Timing and communication of USGA research projects that potentially could lead to rule changes
·            Timing and communication of proposed equipment rule changes
·            The process and timing for implementing changes to measurement systems and other rule enforcement methods
·            Procedures for considering changes to non-performance related rules
·            Consideration of the impacts of potential rule changes and the evaluation, after an appropriate time period, of the results of implemented rule changes
·            The process of commenting on proposed rule changes, including confidentiality considerations
·            Timing of the implementation of rule changes
·            The decision-making process, including communication of the reasons for enacting new equipment rules or changing existing equipment rules
·            The appropriate balance between technology and skill in player performance

   The forum can also provide an opportunity for discussing the process by which the USGA renders rulings on individual items of golf equipment submitted for evaluation, as well as consideration of the ways in which relevant information about these rulings might be communicated publicly.
   The USGA welcomes additional input on the matters that might be discussed at the forum on the process of equipment rulemaking. Those wishing to provide input are encouraged to submit ideas to Dick Rugge, senior technical director, P.O. Box 708, Far Hills, NJ 07931, Fax 908-234-0138, e-mail: drugge@usga.org.