On December 8th, 1925, Harvie Ward, a highly successful but controversial figure in US golf, was born in Tarboro, North Carolina. He became familiar to enthusiasts in this country as the player when, as the defending champion, he was beaten by Joe Carr in the final of the British Amateur at Hoylake in 1953. Noted for his smooth, classic swing, he went on to win the Canadian amateur in 1954 and the US Amateur of 1955 and 1956. Before he could defend the US Amateur title in 1956, however, he was briefly suspended by the USGA for allegedly being paid by his employer for playing in amateur events. He was reinstated a year later, but by then his zest for the game had gone.

Teaser: A player's ball lies on the green. An old hole plug is sunk or raised on the player's line of putt. What relief is available to the player?

Answer: The player may attempt to raise or lower the plug to make it level with the surface of the putting green (Rule 16-1c). If this is impossible, he may discontinue play and request the committee to raise or lower the plug. If the committee cannot level the plug without unduly delaying play, the committee should declare the plug to be ground under repair, in which case the player would be entitled to relief under Rule 25-1b(iii).