As a United States Golf Association rules official, Donnie Bowers often finds himself walking the fairway alongside the likes of Tiger Woods, Arnold Palmer and Phil Mickelson. His job requires him to make decisions that potentially affect the outcome of the country’s most elite golf tournaments.
“The best way to describe a rules official is hours of boredom followed by moments of sheer panic,” Bowers said during a Dec. 8 phone interview. “Standing on the first tee as the players are being introduced and you being one of the officials walking with that particular group, the official will experience nervousness too.”
Bowers will share his insider’s perspective Dec. 12 with attendees of the Greater Wilmington Sports Hall of Fame (GWSHOF) Speakers Luncheon at City Club of Wilmington.
GWSHOF board member Louise McColl said the event, which begins at 11:45 a.m., includes a brief networking period and lunch. Following lunch, Bowers will speak about his experiences officiating national golf championships. He said he plans to share both his extensive knowledge of the rules of the game as well as stories about his interactions with the nation’s top professional golfers.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to officiate the United States Open, men’s, women’s, seniors, amateurs . . . probably 60 championships,” he said. “I have so many stories. . . . I’m just going to try to condense some of the situations I’ve been involved in.”
A Q-and-A period will follow Bowers’ speech. Chris Dean, who has attended several GWSHOF luncheons and helped sponsor Friday’s event, said he is looking forward to asking Bowers about several specific scenarios, including a unique officiating rule in which viewers of a national championship broadcast can spot violations, alert officials and cause players to be penalized.
McColl said she expects between 35 and 50 attendees. Tickets, which are $25 for members and $35 for nonmembers, must be purchased in advance.
For more information visit www.gwshof.com
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