Caught one of my teammates cheating today..

[cougar978]

Playing in a 4-man blitz (two best scores count in the overall score), we had basically shot ourselves out of the tournament by the 16th hole (170 yd par 3). Myself and another guy hit our shots on the green and were busy trying to get looks at our birdie putts. The third guy hit his over the green (I didn't see his ball land), and proceeds to hit a ball over the green into the greenside bunker, and then get up and down for a four. We putt out for our pars, and as we're walking off the green, the guy who hit his ball into the bunker finds his original ball plugged by a sprinkler, where he admits to me to just dropping a ball and playing it, rather than continuing to look for his original ball, and if he could not find it, either going back and re-teeing or declaring himself out of the hole.

The blitz is a $20 buy-in, $5 per man front, $5 per man back, $5 per man overall, and $5 skins. We had 52 players out there, and no one birdied 16, which had a maximum winning of $260 (52 x 5) had he managed to chip in the ball he dropped illegaly (assuming all other birdies got cut - I didn't check the score sheet).

I know the pro that runs the blitz personally, and while I didn't mention it to anyone after the round (since we didn't win anything, and I didn't want to cause a fight), I feel I should report him, just so someone has an eye on him. What do you think?

[denver_nuggs_15]

Playing in a 4-man blitz (two best scores count in the overall score), we had basically shot ourselves out of the tournament by the 16th hole (170 yd par 3). Myself and another guy hit our shots on the green and were busy trying to get looks at our birdie putts. The third guy hit his over the green (I didn't see his ball land), and proceeds to hit a ball over the green into the greenside bunker, and then get up and down for a four. We putt out for our pars, and as we're walking off the green, the guy who hit his ball into the bunker finds his

I might mention it to him first. Just tell him that if he's going to cheat, don't do it in a tournament or for money. I don't think anyone really cares if he cheats himself, but if he makes money off his cheating, then it's an issue. If he doesn't listen, then you may want to tell his playing partners or a club official.

[golf_junkie27]

Money at stake and you did not air him out in front of everyone? You should have said something, right there and then. When there is competition, involved and money to boot, you take care of business, then and there. You missed a golden opportunity to embarrass this guy and make sure that everyone knows what he is: a cheater.

Did you give him a pass because no money was gained?

[cougar978]

Money at stake and you did not air him out in front of everyone? You should have said something, right there and then. When there is competition, involved and money to boot, you take care of business, then and there. You missed a golden opportunity to embarrass this guy and make sure that everyone knows what he is: a cheater.

Yes. Had there been a skin involved, or the score contributed to my team winning a side or overall, I would not have let it stand.

[alf174]

You have to wonder how many other occasions this teammate has cheated.

[cougar978]

You have to wonder how many other occasions this teammate has cheated.

I've never met the guy before - the two guys that I normally pick were out of town. I'm not having him on my team anymore.

[flopdarock]

where did you guys play?
was he a short vietnamese guy named mark?

[cougar978]

where did you guys play?

We played at the Woodlands in Hampton - I'd rather not say the guy's last name, can't remember his first name. White guy, mid to late 50's, smoker, had a fairly strong southern accent.

[flopdarock]

ahhh then its not him...
if you ever play tourneys at the beach and a short vietnamese dude named mark who's about 50 something yrs old gets grouped with you... watch that dude real careful... he cheats his ass off... plus he's a real jackass

[Scottydoint]

As golf is a gentleman's game, you should have brought it up to him. Never go tell behind their back. That is cowardly and ungentlemanly IMO. If he didn't give a proper response, ect... then tell him you are going to report him. It is kind of like if someone were teeing off on a hole and teed up in front of the marker. Tell him before he hits it that he should move it back because he doesn't want and penalties. If you can't tell him in time, keep your mouth shut. Calling a penalty on that is dirty.

[Shindig]

My suggestion is to mention it to the guy if you're able to do so. If you don't know his name, or otherwise cannot contact him, you should alert the tournament organizer, for just the reason you mention: so that someone has an eye on him.

[Shorty]

If you catch someone cheating I think you should make a big deal about it and possibly even in front of other people. I disagree with the advice that you do it on the quiet. These scumbags need a reason not to cheat - obviously self regulation didn't work - so a bit of embarrassment is the best policy and may well stop it happening again.

[billm408]

Did he cheat you? Did he win anything by cheating?
Let it go... golf is a self policing game. If he doesn't have the integrity to call it on himself and his actions didn't hurt anyone, just make a mental note that he's not trustworthy and don't play with/against him again.

[J_Bone]

Not everyone has morals and Yes, golf should be self policing. But it doesn't always work when you play with these kind of people.
I would have called him out immediately. If he argued about it, then I would let him know I would report it.

[cougar978]

If you catch someone cheating I think you should make a big deal about it and possibly even in front of other people. I disagree with the advice that you do it on the quiet. These scumbags need a reason not to cheat - obviously self regulation didn't work - so a bit of embarrassment is the best policy and may well stop it happening again.

I spoke with one of the pros at my home course about it today and he said they know the guy has a reputation as a cheater - he said he probably won't show up next week but I am going to tell the pro that runs the blitz tomorrow (I practice at his course 3x/week), so hopefully it will work itself out. I know that as a captain in the blitz, it's my responsbility to make sure that the event is run as clean as possible, and I sure as sh*t am not going to touch him with a ten foot pole after this. There are some people that play in that thing that would not take too kindly to that guy being caught cheating, especially if it means money being stolen out of their pockets.

[alf174]

I spoke with one of the pros at my home course about it today and he said they know the guy has a reputation as a cheater - he said he probably won't show up next week but I am going to tell the pro that runs the blitz tomorrow (I practice at his course 3x/week), so hopefully it will work itself out. I know that as a captain in the blitz, it's my responsbility to make sure that the event is run as clean as possible, and I sure as sh*t am not going to touch him with a ten foot pole after this. There are some people that play in that thing that would not take too kindly to that guy being caught cheating, especially if it means money being stolen out of their pockets.

And once word gets around that the event has cheaters, honest golfers start opting to go elsewhere. I've seen it other times (scrambles) and in other sports.

[Shindig]

I spoke with one of the pros at my home course about it today and he said they know the guy has a reputation as a cheater - he said he probably won't show up next week but I am going to tell the pro that runs the blitz tomorrow (I practice at his course 3x/week), so hopefully it will work itself out. I know that as a captain in the blitz, it's my responsbility to make sure that the event is run as clean as possible, and I sure as sh*t am not going to touch him with a ten foot pole after this. There are some people that play in that thing that would not take too kindly to that guy being caught cheating, especially if it means money being stolen out of their pockets.

Thank you. I appreciate you doing this.

[cougar978]

And once word gets around that the event has cheaters, honest golfers start opting to go elsewhere. I've seen it other times (scrambles) and in other sports.

I've been playing in this event all year, and this is the first time I've seen someone blatantly cheat - there have been a few instances where someone made an incorrect interpretation of the rules (totally different, IMO, as there was no malicious intent involved). I would not discourage anyone in Tidewater from playing in the event - in fact, come on out, I enjoy playing when there's a full house

- especially when I get a team together that makes some noise.