Stina, you "bailed out"on pace-of-play bullies!: Editors' Blog: Golf Digest

Stina, you "bailed out"on pace-of-play bullies!

Friday, May 6, 2011 Comments

The Rory Sabbatini/ Sean O'Hair contretemps, reportedly ignited over the pace of O'Hair's play, is repeated daily at courses all over the country, hares being hares and tortoises being tortoises. When editor Stina Sternberg, in the May "Ask Stina" column said that she did not confront a "pace-of-play bully" in her own family, it drew protest from a Bronx man who, we think, takes no guff.

Stina,

My girlfriend and myself are big fans. Your advice is usually spot on, but boy, did you bail out on the pace-of-play bully question. Since my girlfriend is a beginner, I usually ask the starter to pair us up with other couples and sometimes we will end up as a foursome of 3 women and myself. I've seen firsthand what "pushed" play does to a beginner; I've had to physically confront groups of guys who think it's funny to hit into what they think is a group of women. Once confronted as usual the bully backs off. As a side note, what do you think of Donald Trump's golf behavior? I guess arrogance can get you far in life until you run into the wrong person, who, as we say in the Bronx."straightens you out." Keep up the good work.

Angelo Forzano, New York, NY

Take your time, Angelo, we're in no hurry. By the way, have you met Rory?

Seriously, if the game is to grow, we need beginners, and they will not be good or fast (usually) the first few times they play. Good for you sticking up for your friend.

Bob Carney