What a tough break for Tarpon Springs Golf Course in Florida. According to a news report, they are being investigated for, get this, if club officials collected money from members to fund a tournament purse. I mean, everyone enjoys a little gambling every now and then, right? It’s hard to believe there aren’t more important things to investigate or police over.
Florida law states something to the fact that it is illegal to bet on the results of a contest of skill. If that’s the case, they need to close down almost every course. Now, what if it’s a contest of luck? I’m sure 99% percent of golfers out there would agree that the few great shots they hit were more luck than something skillfully planned and executed.
So…if that’s the case, technically there should be no case. This is a democracy, and if 99% say it’s luck I would tend to agree. Tell me if you have ever witnessed this scenario:
Golfer hits a great shot. On the approach to his ball, the other members of the foursome congratulate him. Golfer replies “Thanks! Yeah, that was skill…” and is serious about it.
Never. Doesn’t happen. That must have been skill too when they sent two into the lumberyard and one in the drink on the same hole.
Unofficially, these tournaments and betting between golfers has been going on for a very long time. So much that it’s practically become a part of golf’s DNA. In Tarpon Springs situation, it’s a mystery to me why this would be an on going investigation and hopefully it all works out for them. I guess gambling is illegal at Bushwood.
Hit’em long…yell FORE!!!
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