Conference 7.286::golf

    On the Ping-USGA suit...
    
    Will there be a restraining order of any type against the USGA to
    allow the use of PING irons during litigation ???
    
    
    John

    
    	John,
    
    	The article I got the info from does not mention anything that
    	would answer your question nor have I heard anything along those
    	lines elsewhwere. The USGA hasn't banned them as of yet and
    	I forget now what the latest date was going to be for them to
    	be allowed... The article does mention that during a TV interview
    	that Karstein Solheim said that his efforts to reverse the USGA's
    	square groove measuring method had failed and that his only
    	recourse was to take legal actions. Karsten also said that the
    	PGA was not included in the suit because the PGA's stand was
    	to ban all square grooves...
    
    	Gene

    Yes, the Ping suit does ask for such a restraining order (from monday's 
    Atlanta Constitution)

	The following is a statement by David Fay, the executive director
	of the USGA...

	The United States Golf Association is a not-for-profit organization
	representing thousands of golf clubs and millions of golfers. It was
	organized over 90 years ago for one fundamental purpose - to serve
	the best interests of golf. All of our income is put back into the
	game.
	
	As the central authority of golf in the United States, the USGA has
	certain obligatins and responsibilities. Among these, it is 
	responsible for writing and interpreting the Rules of the game. Some
	of these Rules affect the clubs and the ball. Standards regulating
	clubs have been in effect since 1938.

	For many years these Rules have included a statement advising 
	manufacturers to submit samples of any clubs that might not conform
	to these rules.

	In the early 1980s, the Karsten Manufaturing Corporation produced
	and sold a certain club - the Ping Eye-2 - without submitting a 
	sample. Once we at the USGA became aware of this club, we advised
	Karstem Manufacturing Corporation that it did not conform to the
	Rules of Golf. The grooves on the club face are spaced to closely
	together.

	The USGA told Karsten Manufacturing Corporation of its concern, and
	suggested the company advise those who bought them that these clubs
	do not conform to the Rules.

	Karstan Manufacturing Corporation did not do this. Instead, it
	continued to manufacture and sell a great many of these non-conforming
	clubs.

	A short time ago Karsten Manufacturing Corporation filed suit against
	the United States Golf Association. The USGA will fight that suit.

	By taking golf into the courtroom, Karsten Manufacturing corporation
	places the game at grave risk. The issue becomes whether the USGA and
	the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, Scotland, can continue
	to write and interpret the Rules of the game. If they can't, then will
	and organization ever again have that right?

	The administration of gold doesn't belong in the courtroom. It belongs
	in the hands of the golfers themselves. Unlike many other games, 
	golfers have always controlled their game. Not those who manufacture
	and sell our equipment, but golfers - those who play the game for
	their own enjoyment.

	This suit puts at risk the right of golfers, through the USGA and
	the R&A, to determine how they want the game to be played. This
	right could be lost.

	In addition to risking your rights, Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
	asks the court to cause the USGA to pay damages of $100 million.

	The United States Golf Association doesn't have $100 million.

	But even if we did, we would still defend our obligation and our
	responsibility to regulate the game and its equipment with all the
	vigor, all the determination, and all the conviction of purpose we
	can command.