Dear Linda ,
My son played in a recent tournament and there was a very awkward situation created.
My son played 6 over par and the other competitor played 8 over par. They both played in different four ball groups. Now the player who was coming in second complained to the referee that he believes that the marker and the player have not written correct scores and that they should be counter-checked .
Request please advise:
Can the player raise such an objection and complain?
Is the referee liable to hear his complaint and take action?
If the marker and player report that the scores entered are correct, does the referee counter-check this claim by consulting the caddies and other members of the group?
What should be the duty of the referee and how should he resolve such an issue?
Thanks ,
Lulu
Dear Lulu,
This is a difficult question to answer, as I do not know why the other player challenged your son's score. Here is a general answer.
In a stroke play competition, anyone who witnesses an incorrect procedure may report it to the Committee. For example, if someone observes a player move a ball and not replace it, and the player does not add two strokes to his score for the hole, then he should report his observation to the Committee, preferably before the player has signed his scorecard. The Committee will then talk to the player and anyone else who might have observed the infraction, and then make a ruling.
In your son’s tournament, if the other player observed an infraction that your son did not include in his score, he was within his rights to report it to the Committee. If he observed your son recording a 4 on a hole where he knew your son had scored 6, such a claim should also be reviewed by the Committee. The Committee will then interview as many observers as necessary to rule on the complaint.
However, if the other player is challenging your son’s score for no particular reason other than he doesn’t believe he could have scored so low, then a simple check with your son and his marker should be sufficient to verify the score. If evidence came to light, after the card was signed and turned in, that your son had signed for a score lower than he actually shot, he would be disqualified.
It is not unreasonable to ask that the scores be reviewed, but unless the player making the request has a specific reason for doing so, and another person can back his claim, then your son’s score should stand.
Linda
Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
