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A short time later that summer I got a telephone call from the SCGA official who I rated course for. He wanted to know if I could be at Mytrle Beach the next week to help as a Rules Ofical at a USGA Senior Open Qualifier. I told him I was learning some of the Rules but really didn't think I was ready to work a USGA qualifier as an official.
He told me it would be fine as I would have a radio to contact him in case a rulling came up that I was unsure about. So, with that in mind I told him yes. But could he provide me with a room over night and my meals. He was happend to do that so my future as a Rules Official begn.
At the USGA Senior Open Qualifier I was assigned to "rove" the first six holes to help any competitor resolve a Rules situation. Within 1/2 hour I came upon a competitor who needed to take relief from an asphalt cart path. His ball was just off the right side of the path so, to play his shot he would be standing on the path. I asked him if he needed help and he said yes. He showed me where he would take relief but he wanted drop his ball on the LEFT SIDE of the path which was NOT the nearest point of relief.
I understood why he wanted to drop on the left side as it would give him a better lne-of-play to the hole. I explained to hime the Rule and showed him how to find the nearest point of relief. He then took the proper drop and played his next stroke.
I was amazed that someone playing in a Senior Amateur Open Qualifier didn't know even the simplest of Rules, how to take relief from a cart path.
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