Perspective from the 19^th Hole is the title I chose for my personal blog, which is meant to give me an outlet for one of my favorite crafts – writing – plus to use an image from my favorite sport, golf.  Out of college, my first job was as a reporter for the Daily Astorian in Astoria, Oregon, and I went on from there to practice writing in all my professional positions, including as press secretary in Washington, D.C. for a Democrat Congressman from Oregon (Les AuCoin), as an Oregon state government manager in Salem and Portland, as press secretary for Oregon’s last Republican governor (Vic Atiyeh), and as a private sector lobbyist.  This blog also allows me to link another favorite pastime – politics and the art of developing public policy – to what I write.  I could have called this blog “Middle Ground,” for that is what I long for in both politics and golf.  The middle ground is often where the best public policy decisions lie.  And it is where you want to be on a golf course.

As my wife were reading the Bible the other morning, we came across a verse that, beyond its application to life in general, could apply to my favorite sport, golf.

11 Timothy 2:5 says this:

“…anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules.”

See. 

Life. 

And golf.

Golf is the only sport where competitors call rules violations on themselves, in contrast to many other sports where those playing the game try to get away with violations.

Some examples:

• In 2024 Tour Championship, during the third round, Sahith Theegala believed his club touched the sand in a bunker on his backswing, a violation of Rule 12.2b.  Even though TV cameras could not confirm it and he had no video evidence, he reported the violation to officials, resulting in a two-stroke penalty, which likely cost him a massive payday.
• In the 2025 Travelers Championship, during the third round, Russell Henley called a one-stroke penalty on himself when he noticed his ball move “a dimple to the right” as he took his club back.  Despite being in contention for a $3.6 million check, he stated, “I just felt it was the right thing to do,” and used it as a teaching moment for his son.
• In the 2010 Verizon Heritage, in a playoff against Jim Furyk, Brian Davis called a two-stroke penalty on himself after his club touched a loose reed (an illegal, moving, man-made object at the time) in a hazard on his backswing.  He and the rules official, didn’t see the infraction at first, but Davis took the initiative to admit it, giving up his best chance for his first PGA Tour win.
• In the 2011 Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, during the first round, a high-definition, slow-motion video replay showed that Padraig Harrington’s ball had moved slightly, a fraction of an inch, when he removed a loose impediment.  While the infraction was technically found by TV, Harrington’s acceptance of the penalty, despite it being imperceptible to the naked eye, is a frequently cited example of adhering to the rules, even when it feels unfair. 

Back to the Bible reference.

So, the Bible says “play” life according to the rules, though also recognize that you are a child of God based on what God offers you – free grace – not because of abiding by rules.

And, play golf by the rules.  It’s how the game should be played.  Call a penalty on yourself if you know you committed a violation.