ARE YOU READY FOR GOLF?  WE ARE!!
OUR 2012 KICK-OFF COFFEE IS THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 10:00 A.M.,
LAFORTUNE FAIRWAYS DINING ROOM. 
YOU MAY FILL OUT YOUR MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION, PAY YOUR DUES AND OPTIONAL FEES FOR PARTICIPATING IN RINGERS, PARS & BIRDIES, AND HOLE-IN-ONE.  HOLE-IN-ONE POT IS RE-STARTING AS ZELDA NELSON WON THE ENTIRE POT IN 2011!!

If you cannot make the coffee, you can still join.  Membership application for 2012 will be on our web-site soon with instructions for your check and mailing.

OUR REGULAR SEASON BEGINS THURSDAY, APRIL 5 AT SOUTH LAKES.

Before we play, here are the Principle Rules Changes Introduced by the USGA for 2012 
DEFINITIONS
Addressing the Ball
The Definition is amended so that a player has addressed the ball simply by grounding his club immediately in front of or behind the ball, regardless of  whether or not he has taken his stance.  Therefore, the Rules generally no longer provide for a player addressing the ball in a hazard.  (See also related change to Rule 18-2B.)

RULES
Rule 1-2. Exerting Influence on Movement of Ball or Altering Physical Conditions
The Rule is amended to establish more clearly that, if a player intentionally takes an action to influence the movement of a ball or to alter physical conditions affecting the playing of a hole in a way that is not permitted by the Rules, Rule 1-2 applies only when the action is not already covered in another Rule.  For example, a player improving the lie of his ball is in breach of Rule 13-2 and therefore that Rule would apply, whereas a player intentionally improving the lie of a fellow-competitor's ball is not a situation covered by Rule 13-2 and, therefore, is governed by Rule 1-2.

Rule 6-3a. Time of Starting
Rule 6-3a is amended to provide that the penalty for starting late, but with five minutes of the starting time, is reduced from disqualification to loss of the first hole in match play or two strokes at the first hole in stroke play.  Previously the penalty reduction could be introduced as a condition of the competition.

Rule 12-1. Seeing Ball; Searching for Ball
Rule 12-1 is reformatted for clarity.  In addition, it is amended to (i) permit a player to search for his ball anywhere on the course when it may be covered by sand and to clarify that there is no penalty if the ball is moved in these circumstances, and (ii) apply a penalty of one stroke under Rule 18-2a if a player moves his ball in a hazard when searching for it when it is believed to be covered by loose impediments.

Rule 13-4. Ball in Hazard; Prohibited Actions
Exception 2 to Rule 13-4 is amended to permit a player to smooth sand or soil in a hazard at any time, including before playing from that hazard, provided it is for the sole purpose of caring for the course and Rule 13-2 is not breached.

Rule 18-2b. Ball Moving After Address
A new Exception is added that exonerates the player from penalty if his ball moves after it has been addressed when it is known or virtually certain that he did not cause the ball to move.  For example, if it a gust of wind that moves the ball after it has been addressed, there is no penalty and the ball is played from its new position.

Rule 19-1. Ball in Motion Deflected or Stopped; By Outside Agency
The note is expanded to prescribe the various outcomes when a ball in motion has been deliberately deflected or stopped by an outside agency.

Rule 20-7c. Playing from Wrong Place; Stroke Play
Note 3 is amended so that if a player is to be penalized for playing from a wrong place, in most cases the penalty will be limited to two strokes, even if another Rule has been breached prior to his making the stroke.

Appendix IV
A new Appendix is added to prescribe general regulations for the design of devices and other equipment, such as tees, gloves and distance measuring devices.

ALSO OF NOTE
You cannot listen to music or news, etc., for prolonged periods during a round, but it's OK if you briefly listen. For example, checking sports scores. (Decision 14-3/17)

When your ball is on the putting green, you may not lift it while another ball is in motion if there's a chance your ball could be struck by that ball. (Rule 16-1b, Decision 16-1b/4)

2012 Officers and Committee Chairs
President - Jeanne McElroy
Past President - Judy Wahrmund
Vice President - Leslie Day
Secretary - Debbie Lepore
Treasurer - Sue Brookover
Sports - Pat Connery & Peggy Peters
Pairings - Linda Hauser
Handicaps - Suzanne Iocca
Sunshine - Linda Bryant
Hole in One - Cyndy Walker
Pars & Birdies - Marilyn Cunningham
Ringers - Ruth Terry
Rally for the Cure - Kay Hays
Rules - Judy Wahrmund
District - Suzy Cremer
Directory - Mary Ann Elliott & Sue Brookover
Newsletter/website - Linda Hauser

For a good laugh!!
For my birthday this month, your newletter editor's husband gave her a card:
What you need for your Birthday is ALL NEW GOLF EQUIPMENT: Driver, Wedge, Irons, Putter, Binoculars, Compass, Weedwacker, Snorkel.  He's sooo sweet!!  I hit him with my 7 iron!!