Captain's Choice really sucks

I played in the Fort Bragg Commander's Cup Scramble today, and came away with a real bad taste in my mouth about the entire event. On hole 12, which was our 3rd hole, and closest to the pin contest, I hit a beautiful 8 iron to 18" and put the marker in for closest. We passed the hole 4 times during the day, so I'd peek over and see it still sitting there, and was happy that I may win that part. After we finished at a 65, we turned our card in, pretty happy with our round, except for putting. I saw that the group in front of us posted a 60, which I believe completely. These guys were all single digits, and were putting a display on in front of us that we enjoyed watching. There were 3 teams left to turn in their cards at the end, and the scores for all three teams were 59 then 58, and the last team came in with a 57.

Then when they announced the closest to the pin, it went to another guy with a distance of 32".... I have no problem with someone putting one closer than me, but we measured mine at 18", and put the marker there, so the fact that someone was actually further away, but moved the marker just to get a sleeve of balls or a T-Shirt really irritated me for some reason. I always thought golf was a game of integrity, some days you win, some you lose, but you always play the game with integrity and honesty.

After they gave out the prizes, I went and talked to the pro and told him that I believe that the guy that got the closest to the hole cheated. There's no way he won with 32". A couple other people also looked funny at them, because they said they were closer than 32" but the marker was up tight to the pin, and they didn't beat it.

I told the pro I didn't care about the sleeve of Pinnacles they gave out, I just hope the guys that cheated to win everything today can sleep well tonight, because I know the score my team posted was 100% correct, and that I did have the closest to the pin on #12 today, and a lot of people know it as well.

I just don't understand why people have to cheat on the course. I was invited back to play next month, but I'm undecided on whether to go or not. If I do go, it will be to try to beat our score from this time, because as long as people are dishonest and lack integrity on the course, there's no way we can win.

Every time I've played one of those in church league tournaments the marker had a card on which the closest in each foursome would put their name and approximate distance to the hole in addition to putting the marker where your putt landed. I hate to think things have now gotten to the point where you have to take a picture of your shot with your cell phone camera just to verify how close you were.

Sorry it happened to you, man.

This isn't a problem with Captain's Choice per se , but more of a problem with closest to the pin contests. I can't believe you didn't challenge them right then and there.

"Glad I'm not your math teacher. I'd be embarrassed if one of my students said 32" < 18". "

Edit : When I say "I can't believe," I don't mean that I don't believe you didn't; I mean that I'm surprised that anyone can avoid making the challenge. I don't doubt a single part of your story.

what a d-bag

Like I said, it wasn't that big of a deal to me. I made my remark in front of the entire group when he went up there, and then laughed it off at the time, but the more I thought about it on the way home, the more it got to me. Especially being a high handicapper, when I do something spectacular, it would be nice to be recognized for it. But after I pointed it out in front of the group, I could hear the comments throughout the crowd.

Like I said, what bothers me most is the fact that I was always taught that golf was a game of integrity, and some people ruin that part of the game.

You have a right to be upset and it IS a big deal IMO. When people screw with the integrity of the game it really takes a lot of the fun out of it.

This happened to our group in a longest drive hole in a tournament to benefit the Neonatal ICU at our hospital. My friend in our group hit a monster drive on the hole and we marked it with the flag, as directed, along with his name and group number. We were 3rd from last in finishing the round. I watched the group behind us come in and I knew for sure the final group did not make it - they openly stated that they tried but did not come close to it. Somehow, my buddy got beat out by someone AHEAD of us, with no flag put down (the drive had to be in the fairway so it's not like we missed it). We weren't even close to winning the tournament so this would have been pretty cool for my friend to win. Never did hear the rationale for him being glossed over. Haven't played since (3 years ago), I respectfully decline.

Had the same thing happen to me in a High school tournament. I was in the process of my lowest round in my 4 years for 18 (75). On my 2nd hole a 140 yard par 3, I put it within 2 feet of the hole. I marked it and went on with my round not thinking much of it again. When they announced the winners, I was a little surprised that I didn't win it, but not questioning that it could have been beat. I had played with kid who won before, so I asked him how far away he was, and he said he was around 6 feet. The group in front had taken the marker out of the ground to putt and forgot to replace it.

Sorry to hear bout your luck though.

This is what I was going to point out. I am sure half the time stuff like this happens, it wasn't a cheater but rather an accident of some kind.

This is why I don't like those markers. My club does closest to the pin with a sheet to write the distance on. If you think you're the closest to the pin so far in your flight, you remove the flag and measure the distance to your ball -- we have a tape measure that fits into the cup attached to a sheet of paper. You measure, write your distance (if appropriate), and place it off the green.

Golf

is a game of integrity. It's just sad that there are people who's self esteem is so low, that they will cheat just to be able to say that they've done something.

In the four years I have played, I have attended 3 charity tournaments, 2 at one course and one at another. But all three occasions the special closest to the hole and furthest over the water had voluunteers who will take the measurements and take down the names.

I had a similar experience at a tourney recently...
Got stuck behind a foursome who all drove the ball crazy far, but couldn't hit a green in 2 more shots whether it was a par 3 or a par 5. They were only golfing when they took a break from wrestling with each other and harassing cart girls. They also got so drunk that they flipped 2 carts on the last couple of holes.
They wound up winning pretty much everything with there being no rule enforcement. I could have gotten mad, but... I kinda love golf, and what they were doing wasn't golf. I just enjoyed the course on a beautiful day.
I played great, got some free swag, and came out of it with a nice tale of d-baggery.
CC tourneys are supposed to be fun. Unfortunately there is no d-bag detector at the entrance of any hall of integrity. I guess I'm saying just enjoy your game and your accomplishment. Congrats.