A chance to play by the Rules
So, you think you have an encyclopedic knowledge of the Rules of Golf and are confident you could act as a rules official in the pressure-cooker atmosphere of a Major tournament? Much as golfers like to kid themselves that they know the Rules inside out, and how to bend them in their favour, the reality is different.
'As much as I hate to say it, it's pretty apparent that a lot of professionals have not taken the time to learn the Rules,' confesses Valen Tan, tournament operations director for the Asian PGA Tour.
As Asia's amateur golfing population grows at 20 per cent per annum it's apparent, too, that lack of understanding and application of the Rules is one of the most serious issues facing national golfing associations.
And not only in the basic areas such as etiquette - replacing divots, repairing pitch marks on the green, raking bunkers, playing in the correct order, maintaining quiet when someone's about to hit and calling through the group behind when it's your slow play that's holding up the entire course.
It's alarming, also, how few players are aware of the correct procedures for taking penalty drops and playing a provisional ball - every-round occurrences for the majority.
And how many golfers are guilty of negligence with respect to the Rules of Amateur Status and Policy on Gambling? But what are golfing associations and golf clubs in Asia actually doing to encourage amateurs to improve their understanding of the Rules? The Hong Kong Golf Association (HKGA) is more fortunate than most of its counterparts in Asia in that it possesses a strong core of Rules experts, led by Brian Choa, who has officiated at the British Open Championship, and Eric White.
As well as keeping a firm grasp on the enforcement of prize levels and the application of Amateur Status, the HKGA is capable of settling any disputes that arise on the SAR's golf courses. Clearly, though, there's a need for more to be done. Which is why it's encouraging to see that the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (R&A) is showing signs of taking a more pro-active role in passing on its expertise.
From February 26 to March 6, R&A rules officials will be staging three, two-day referees schools in Asia - in Seoul, Kuala Lumpur and Colombo. You don't have to be an accomplished player to enrol. Whether you simply wish to learn more about the Rules for your own benefit, or are considering a future career as a rules official, it's an opportunity to have your eyes opened to the often complex, sometimes bewildering, but never dull Rules of Golf.
(Further details on the R&A referees schools in Asia are available from the HKGA at 2522-8804).
Hong Kong-based American Bill Areson was one of the first players to enjoy a round of golf anywhere in the world in 2000.
Even before midnight had struck in much of the world, Areson, a member of the Macau Golf & Country Club, was celebrating the millennium with a 6.30am tee-off on January 1 at The Tonga Golf Club, the most easterly golf course in the world.
Although Areson did not walk off with the major prizes at 2000's first official golf competition, he played his part in a record-setting day at Tonga's only golf course which not only witnessed the first golf shot of 2000, but also the first two holes-in-one of the 21st century.
Champagne flowed at Discovery Bay Golf Club on Saturday evening as Nigel French claimed what is believed to be the first hole-in-one of the millennium in Hong Kong.
French, a single-figure handicapper, produced his masterstroke at the eighth hole of the Lantau Island club's Ruby Course. A member at Discovery Bay for more than 10 years, it was his second hole-in-one. The first came in April 1991, on the 2nd hole of the Diamond Course.
