"J.P. Hayes may be the most admired rule-breaker in America. Hayes, 43, a middle-of-the-road pro-golfer, realized that he had mistakenly used a non-regulation ball for just two strokes in a PGA Tour qualifying tournament last week in Texas. Since the ball was unapproved for competition, Hayes admitted his mistake -- and was disqualified.
'I violated a rule and I had to take my medicine,' Hayes said. But Hayes didn't really have to turn himself in. No one filmed it. No one else saw it and no one would ever have known about the two shots with a prototype golf ball.
'No one would have known, but I knew," he said. 'And I have some people looking down on me that would have known, so that was the decision I had to make.'
Character, they say is what you do when no one is watching. ...In a world where NASCAR drivers say, 'If you ain't cheating, you ain't trying," baseball players take illegal steroids to enhance their performance and coaches make illegal films of heir opponents, Hayes could have kept quiet.
'The lessons kids are being taught today, when you talk about sports, is how to get away with things in general,' said Damon Hack, a senior writer for Sports Illustrated. 'Often young players are taught it's not cheating if you don't get caught.'
Hayes also refuses to blame his caddy, who mistakenly gave him the prototype ball from his golf bag. He considers it a personal oversight.
J.P. Hayes paid a price for turning himself in; He lost a chance to qualify for the 2009 PGA Pro-Tour. But even though he no longer can compete, he has no regrets.
'I am proud in that situation that I reacted how I should of,' he said. J.P. Hayes decision to turn himself in is a small set back for the golder and an unusual victory for virtues like honesty and integrity." (ABC News)
^^^ I'm by no means a golfer - unless you consider 'putt-putt' golfing (and even then it has been multiple years). I just heard the story and had to admire the man.
Hey Dan-oh whazup? Wow its been way too long since weve seen each other. I hope all is well with y'all. I am sitting here at work on Fridat morning the day after thanksgiving. It the first Friday after thanksgiving I have had to work in ten years. I guess since to lumber business is so off they thought we would get more business. I sure all those people shopping today will take time out to buy building materials. Ya.
Here's a funny from Benjamin (5 year old): He had not been wanting to taste the Texas Trash but everyone oohed and aahed over so much he got curious. He came up to me when no one else was around and asked if he could have some Texas Garbage.
...For Life (especially for the UNBORN who are made in the image of God)
...For God's design for the home (one man and one woman for life)
...For each man's individual freedom and responsibility to support his OWN household - so he does not become as an infidel (I don't need help spreading my 'wealth')
We voted. We got there at 6:10 this morning, stood in line in the cold, damp weather, and didn't get to vote until 7:45. We were 25th in line with about 150 people behind us and only 3 machines. Can you believe that?
