A Cig Alert: Angel Cabrera's chain-smoking during the final round of the U.S. Open at Oakmont got widespread media attention, mostly as a point of fact, but also, predictably, from various scolds in the media (one column headline read: "Golf needs to turn on the 'No Smoking' sign"). Rest assured it won't likely be a problem next year, provided San Diego laws are enforced. Last summer the city council banned smoking at beaches and parks, all open-space areas and municipal golf courses, among them Torrey Pines GC, site of the 2008 U.S. Open. Police can issue citations, and a first offense carries a fine of $250, while subsequent offenses can involve fines up to $1,000. The ban was in place in January when the Buick Invitational was played there. We can only guess as to whether John Daly, among other smokers on the PGA Tour, flouted the law -- and, more importantly, how it will affect Cabrera as he attempts a smokeless defense of his title next June.
Inflation Run Amok: How out of control is inflation in Zimbabwe? According to the South African Herald, one golf course in the capital city of Harare recently raised the price of beer twice -- in the course of a single round. Players paid one price before the round started, another at the turn and still more at the 19th hole. U.S. ambassador Christopher Dell expects inflation to reach 1.5 million percent by year's end.
Coconut Rules: A 7-iron shot by Robert Arkin at La Gorce CC in Miami Beach struck high in a palm tree recently, felling a coconut. Arkin inspected the coconut and found his ball was imbedded in it. Rather than taking a drop, Arkin said he replaced the coconut, took his driver and swung, the ball emerging from the coconut and scooting 50 yards down the fairway. From there, Arkin hit a lob wedge to 10 inches for a tap-in bogey that enabled him to win the hole.
-- John Strege
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