The PGA needs to change some of its rules during play. Sunday, during the WM Phoenix Open, Spencer Levin presented a good example of one rule that needs to go. While the tournament was hosting its annual green-out, Levin was contentedly puffing cigarettes and leaving the butts scattered around the course for someone else to clean up.
Every other sport has condemned the smoking habit. You certainly do not see an outfielder puffing on a smoke during a game. Football players know enough not too, and so do the five man teams shooting baskets on the court. Boxers, bowlers, tennis players, soccer players, and yes, even most golfers have enough sense not to smoke on or off the green. Most official sports authorities have banned the unsportsmanlike behavior. The PGA needs to do the same thing.
It is disheartening to the organizations that worked so hard to put together a green environment event. It is insulting to the thousands of fans that come each year and celebrate the accomplishments of extraordinary effort to create a better, cleaner world.
As long as it is allowed, smoking on the green will continue. The presiding authority, the PGA itself has to be the one to step forward and put a stop to it. The fans can complain, but as long as people like Levin can laugh it off, complaints do not mean a thing. Levin seemed immune from the criticism projected on him for his ugly habit. He even referred to the objectors as "you mean guys in the crowd".
Smoking is not the only problem. One nationwide tour player recently admitted he had smoked pot during play. The golfer stated he was not the only one and that players would simply enter the porta-john, get their high and go back to play.
In order for the PGA to retain a credible clean cut sports image, it will have to address the issues of drugs and tobacco. These habits are no longer accepted in society and should not be tolerated in amateur or professional sports. The rest of the sports world realized this years ago, it is time for the PGA to recognize it also, and act appropriately. It is time to clean up the course.
Shirttail
Golf is the major summer time sport here in Northeast Harbor. I have played each year here for the past decade. When I lived in Georgia, I had the opportunity to be a spectator at two of the Augusta championships.
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