Some people are amazing.....

[albatross]

Kind of crazy golf related story that I have to share with someone and I think some guys on here will appreciate it. I'll make it as short as possible.

A week and a half ago, I lost my hat out at my club. It was attached to my bag, and I was walking and it must of fell off. It was a yellow Ben Hogan hat. I really liked the hat and I was pretty bummed. I checked the lost and found the next couple rounds that I played, and it hadn't turned up.

So yesterday, as we're finishing on #9 I see one of the guys that works at the course, and he happens to be wearing a yellow Ben Hogan hat.

Now I see this guy every morning that I play and I've even had a couple of conversations with him. In the 5 months I've been seeing him there, he has NEVER had this hat on. I would have obviously noticed that "hey that guy has the same hat as me".

Anyway, the hat had a dime sized black smudge on the brim and as we're walking to 10 tee, I can clearly see that this is 100% my hat. I can see the smudge.

So I went up and very politely asked him if he had happened to find that out on the course because I just lost the same hat. Here's the good part. He takes it off and says "Nope. I know this one is mine because it has this Hard Rock Cafe pin stuck in the side".

What?? You're kidding, right. Oh, you couldn't have possibly picked this hat up on the course and stuck this pin in the side right? It was almost like he had the excuse ready, in case someone called him on it. I could tell just by how he was acting that he was lying to me, but what could I do. I almost made more of it but I decided at that point, not to.

I'm not a detective, but let's look at the facts here:

1.) I lose a hat very early in the morning on the golf course
2.) It's not an extremely common hat
3.) Guy that works very early in the morning on course, suddenly has this hat
4.) It happens to also have a black smudge on the brim where mine did
5.) Hat has never turned up in lost and found

Would you have said anything else to this guy?? I actually feel kind of bad because I thought the guy was pretty cool before this incident. Now I know that he's a liar and a thief.

I told my buddies that 1 of 2 things is going to happen. Either that hat mysteriously now will show up in lost and found after missing for two weeks, or this guy will never wear the hat to the course again.

Phew, I feel better. Just had to vent. I really liked the hat, but it's more the principle with something like this.

[ganjagolfer]

be thankful you only lost your hat and not your head. lots of folks losing their head lately

[$2 Nassau]

That's funny. Personally, if I found a 'used' hat I wouldn't wear it, but I guess that's just me. Just thinking of how nasty and sweaty my own hats get, I doubt anyone else would want one of my hats on their head.

[albatross]

  $2 Nassau said:

That's funny. Personally, if I found a 'used' hat I wouldn't wear it, but I guess that's just me. Just thinking of how nasty and sweaty my own hats get, I doubt anyone else would want one of my hats on their head.

I already thought about that as well. Kind of gross huh?

[DGart09]

I'd be pretty torqued if someone started stole and started wearing my hat. However, like you, I probably would have mentioned it then if he turned out to be such an "amazing" person, then I would have let it go. Truly astounding...

[MunkeyGolfer]

It amazes me how dishonest people can be.

[glebert]

A "buddy" of mine in high school worked at a athletic shoe store. He REALLY wanted some of the new Nike shoes they were selling, but they were like $150, so instead he stole a pair (from his store). Then the moron wore them to work! Needless to say he got fired but he was also signed up to go into the Navy. Because of the theft they took away the special training he was supposed to get, and ended up being a basic deckhand.

Short story long, guys like this tend to get what they deserve eventually.

[RogueGolfer]

One way to look at it is that if the hat was never found you still wouldnt have it. Just trying to take the sting out of the situation.


Yea I dont think I would ever wear a hat I "found".

[Wisco-Kid]

That is too bad. It is hard to believe that someone would be big of an a**hole. I would have a hard time letting that go, and would probably make a big stink about it just on principal alone. I mean it would be one thing if it was a white Titleist hat but a yellow Ben Hogan cap!! That is about as rare as it gets....

[N.V.M.]

*peels back the lining of hat, writes initials*

[albatross]

  N.V.M. said:

*peels back the lining of hat, writes initials*

I still don't know if that solves the problem. He told me it wasn't my hat. Do I then really ask him to take it off so I can check for my initials??

I don't know if I would do that or not. I know what you're saying though.

[MRW]

Is there any way you could steal it back. That may take some thinking but that's how I am. I would figure out a way to get it back and then make it a point to wear it in front of him. You could also put that Hard Rock pin in the lost and found.

[MunkeyGolfer]

  mangine77 said:

I still don't know if that solves the problem. He told me it wasn't my hat. Do I then really ask him to take it off so I can check for my initials??

It would all be in the manner in which you ask. If you say, "Hey, I lost my hat and to ease my mind, can I check the hat real quick?". It may not be that big of a deal. Don't ask if the person found that hat. All you are doing is giving the person a reason/opportunity to lie. If the person absolutely refuses to let you check it, there is something that they are most likely hiding.

[albatross]

  MRW said:

Is there any way you could steal it back. That may take some thinking but that's how I am. I would figure out a way to get it back and then make it a point to wear it in front of him. You could also put that Hard Rock pin in the lost and found.

LOL. That's awesome. That's the first laugh I've had about this. Thanks.

[Undr Par]

  N.V.M. said:

*peels back the lining of hat, writes initials*

yeah this is a great idea, and point blank ask him to see if the initials are inside, if's it's his hat then he shouldn't/wouldn't object to doing so, but if he's stolen it or it's not his then he would object to doing so..... but honestly, like everybody else is stating, just by my hats, the stink, sweat etc.....I wouldn't dare wear a hat I found on the course, or anywhere for that matter.....that's how you catch things....... .

[HansMoleman]

If someone stole my hat I would be devastated. I am a superstitious player, and have been using the same titleist hat for over a year. It is almost un natural not to wear it.

[mruseless]

  mangine77 said:

I still don't know if that solves the problem. He told me it wasn't my hat. Do I then really ask him to take it off so I can check for my initials??

Absolutely you do that. You tell him, "The hat I lost has a black smudge on it just like yours. My initials are inside it. Can I take a look?" If he says no, then report him for theft to the course manager.

But for your current situation, if you tell the story to the head pro or course manager, maybe he would let you post a LOST sign in the clubhouse with a detailed description (including the black smudge). Perhaps you can shame the guy into giving you the hat back (sound like he doesn't have much shame, though).

[Fraser]

  mruseless said:

Absolutely you do that. You tell him, "The hat I lost has a black smudge on it just like yours. My initials are inside it. Can I take a look?" If he says no, then report him for theft to the course manager.

You beat me to it! Nicely put.

Do you have any photos of you wearing the hat?