For the Love of the Game

This story was kindly shared by my brother; John, who received the information from a friend. A story of passion, persistence, fearlessness and fortitude.

The following notice was posted at the Richmond Golf Club (circa 1940) in southwest London, temporarily modifying the Rules of Golf, as German aircraft, departing from Norway, would fly missions to attack England. Due to the icy weather conditions, a small dab of wax was placed in the muzzle to protect the guns from clogging with ice. Prior to attacking industrial sites or other strategic targets as they crossed the coast, German aircraft would clear their guns by firing a few rounds at golf courses. Golfers were urged to take cover.

Richmond Golf Club “Temporary Rules”:

1. Players are asked to collect bomb and shrapnel splinters to prevent damage to the mowing machines.
2. In competitions, during gunfire or while bombs are falling, players may take cover without penalty for ceasing play.
3. The positions of known delayed action bombs are marked by red flags at a reasonably, but not guaranteed, safe distance therefrom.
4. Shrapnel and/or bomb splinters on the fairways, or in the bunkers within a club’s length of a ball, may be moved without penalty and no penalty shall be incurred if a ball is thereby caused to move accidently.
5. A ball moved by enemy action may be replaced, or if lost or destroyed, may be dropped not nearer the hole without penalty.
6. A ball lying in a crater may be lifted and dropped not nearer the hole, preserving the line to the hole, without penalty.
7. A player whose stroke if affected by the simultaneous explosion of a bomb may play another ball from the same place. Penalty is one stroke.

There may have been a reason why Hitler lost the Battle of Britain!

Thank you for following Bad Golf Guy! The back nine can only get better!