Local Golf Sceen

News for beginning and intermediate golfers: Brian Smith, who is head professional at Carson Valley Golf Course in Gardnerville and a PGA member, told me about a program starting there in May.

For $1 you will receive a bucket of balls and a 10-minute lesson. No need for appointment -- just be there between 5:30-6:30 p.m. This program will be presented each Thursday evening in May. For information, call the pro shop at Carson Valley Golf Course, 265-3181.

It sounds like an excellent opportunity for those beginning and intermediate players who want to further their abilities.

- The Eagle Valley Municipal Golf Corporation held a community forum to inform the golfing public of the current status of the Eagle Valley golf courses.

Chairman Mark Sattler identified several areas of concern, not only to the corporation but also to the golfers. He also reviewed various options pertaining to the future of the courses.

Of primary concern is the potential demise of the irrigation system on the west course. Sattler, speaking on behalf of the board, expressed appreciation for the opportunity to share concerns and to receive public input.

Any comments, suggestions or requests for copies of the presentation should be directed to Mike McGehee, Eagle Valley's general manager.

- Have you ever gotten onto a green, noticed some dirt on your ball and rubbed the ball on the grass on the green? This came up in play recently, and a player said that it's against the rules to do so.

Rule 16-1d in the USGA's 2000 Rules of Golf states, "During the play of a hole, a player shall not test the surface of the putting green by rolling a ball or roughening or scraping the suface." However, in Decisions 160-1d/5 it says, "Rubbing ball on putting green for cleaning purposes: may a player clean his ball by rubbing it on the putting green? The answer is yes, provided the act is not for the purpose of testing the surface of the putting green."

So, it is recommended that a ball be cleaned in other ways in order to eliminate any questions as to the player's intentions. You will not be penalized if your intention was simply to clean it - but it definitely can be construed as attempting to test the surface and bring a challenge in that regard. So don't do it!

- Congratulations to Mel List, Genoa Lakes Senior Men's Club, who aced the sixth hole par 3, from 139 yards on April 20.

- How about this one from Willie Nelson: "Par is whatever I say it is. I've got one hole that's a par 23, and yesterday I damn-near birdied the sucker."

Dottie Kelley is a regular contributor to the Golf Links page.