Integrity And Character

It's often said that character is judged on how one acts when nobody is looking. If this is the case, then J.P. Hayes has more character than any person I've ever heard of.

Hayes is a professional golfer who has two wins on the PGA Tour. However, because he finished so low on the money list this year, he is not automatically on the PGA tour next season. He needed to finish in the top 20 of a three stage qualifying match in order to receive his tour card which would allow him enter any tournament he wishes next year. Without that card he would need to qualify for any tournament he wants to play in and won't be guaranteed to make any money next season.

This is Hayes' job. It's how he makes his living. So it's fair to say that this qualifying match to get his PGA Tour card was a pretty big deal for him. That's why I was so impressed when he decided to call a foul on himself.

Hayes was on his first round of the three round match when he asked his caddy for a ball. His caddy gave him a ball for his tee shot on the par 3 hole. Hayes struck his tee shot short of the hole, chipped his ball onto the green and then went to mark it. When he looked at the ball he realized it was not the same ball he had been playing with. This is a two stroke penalty as you must continue playing the same ball you started your round with. Hayes called over an official, told him what happened, took his penalty and finished the hole. Hayes ended the round with a 74. He had a 71 his second round that day and was in very good position to finish in the top 20 and get his tour card.

Later that night in his hotel room Hayes made a terrible realization. He looked at the ball and realized it was a Titliest prototype that may not be approved for tour use. This violation could result in disqualification. Hayes remembered getting some prototypes a while back to test out but had no idea how the ball got into his golf bag. He says he checks his equipment all the time and didn't know it was there. He was now faced with a decision to make. He could turn himself in and possibly be disqualified and remove himself from any chance of getting his tour card next season or say nothing. Nobody would ever know. This is his career we're talking about. He's not in some Sunday morning league with some friends. He's a professional golfer who relies on tournament winnings to support himself and his family. So what did he do? He made the phone call.

Hayes called an official and told him what happened. The official said he would need to speak with some people and would get back to him. When Hayes got the return phone call he received the news he had already feared. The ball was not approved and he had been disqualified from the tournament, thus removing any chance he had to get his tour card for next season.

Golf is a gentleman's game which relies on the players calling penalty's on themselves. Had Hayes not said anything nobody would have ever known.......nobody but him that is. He said he thinks any other player in his position would have done the same thing. I'd like to believe that. The truth is that in life, not only sports, people are often put in positions like this. To choose whether to do the right thing or what's best for ourselves. And I have a feeling Hayes' decision is not made often.

I applaud what Hayes did. He chose the integrity of the game over his own self interests. He made the game bigger than himself.

J.P. Hayes won't be on the PGA Tour next season, but I guarantee he has the respect of everyone who is.