The Colorado State University bookstores have pulled school logo ball markers from their shelves following accusations they were made with sweatshop labor.

CSU said it pulled the Team Golf products from the bookstore pending an investigation by the Fair Labor Association. CSU refuses to sell any licensed apparel or logo items made in questionable working conditions, said Mark Minor, CSU’s assistant vice president for public affairs.

In a statement, Minor noted that the allegations against Team Golf are just that - allegations - but said CSU immediately pulled any of the company’s items just to be sure.

“We have contacted our FLA representative, who says they have begun an investigation,” Minor said. “Until that investigation runs its course, and/or until the charges against Team Golf are either substantiated or proven false, CSU has suspended business operations with Team Golf including pulling any existing Team Golf inventory from the shelves of the CSU bookstore.”

If making things in questionable labor conditions is a rationale for pulling things from the shelves, then CSU had better remove the better part of its licensed apparel and the various logo trinkets. I haven’t been to CSU’s store recently (my father was a graduate, and we visited several times back in the 70s and 80s), but if it’s anything like UM bookstores, it’s full of stuff made in China. And by definition, that means poor working conditions.

My guess is that they’re picking on a small ball marker maker because Nike has too many lawyers. So instead, these moonbats sweep the stores clear of ball markers and then go home, feeling smug and satisfied that they’ve done their part for global justice ... while wearing their made-in-China t shirts, cargo pants and shoes, listening to their iPods (produced in China by women who make $50 a month) and driving their hybrid vehicles (whose batteries are produced in environmentally disastrous Chinese nickel processing sweatshops). 

In the wake of baseball’s steroid scandal, and the suspension of a couple of dozen Florida State players who were scamming a music history exam, it’s refreshing to find in golf a refuge from the cheaters.

The latest golfer to join the Honesty Hall of Fame is Brandt Snedeker. At last week’s Australian Open, Snedeker found himself in the rough on the 14th, and bent over to pick up a leaf. At that moment, the ball moved. Calling over partner Nick OHearn, Snedeker called a penalty on himself and took a double bogey six on the hole. He eventually ended up at nine under—one shot behind winner Craig Parry.

“I was trying to find out if there was any weight on the ball - I didn’t even try to move the leaf and the ball just moved,” Snedeker said.

“It was clear as day, there’s no ifs and or buts about it. I wouldn’t feel right not calling it on myself in a situation like that.

“Everybody has it happen to them once in their lifetime.”

That penalty stroke cost Snedeker nearly $200,000.

Bobby Jones, of course, once famously called a penalty on himself in the 1925 US Open, in spite of the fact that he was the only one who thought that the ball had moved. When asked why—when even tournament officials said there was no infraction—he had done so, Jones replied:

“You might as well praise me for not breaking into banks. There is only one way to play this game.”

Lucky for us, that spirit still pervades golf.

There’s a terrific column on this in the Sydney Morning Herald.

Congratulations are in order for former President George H.W. Bush, who will receive the USGA’s Bob Jones Award in February. It’s given for distinguished sportsmanship in golf, and for emulating the golf attitude and spirit of Bob Jones.

“I’m very flattered to receive this award,” Bush said in a statement. “Golf has meant a lot to me. It means friendship, integrity and character. I grew up in a family that was lucky enough to have golf at the heart of it for a while. My father was a scratch player and my mother also was a good golfer. It’s a very special game.”

In addition to politics, the Bush family has a distinguished history in golf. George H.W. Bush’ grandfather, George Herbert Walker inspired the Walker Cup, and was president of the USGA in 1920. His father, Prescott Bush was USGA president in 1935.

Bush joins Bing Crosby and Bob Hope as the only non players to be given the award.

Bush will be honored Feb. 9 at the USGA’s annual meeting in Houston.

A retired couple in Virginia recently completed their quest to play golf in all 50 states.

What a neat idea!

Patriot Golf Day was a huge success:

The inaugural Patriot Golf Day (Sept 1, 2007), inspired by Capt. Dan Rooney, a PGA Professional and USGA member from Broken Arrow, Okla., has resulted in donations of more than $1.1 million to support the families of veterans who have been injured or perished in the line of duty in Iraq or Afghanistan.

The nationwide campaign, conducted Sept. 1, was originated by Rooney, founder of the Fallen Heroes Foundation. Patriot Golf Day is jointly supported by The PGA of America and the USGA. This past year, contributions were received from more than 3,200 golf facilities nationwide. On Patriot Golf Day, golfers at public facilities added an extra dollar to their greens fee, and private facilities asked for donations.

Patriot Golf Day will be renewed in 2008 during Labor Day weekend, Aug. 29—Sept. 1, before Rooney reports in the fall for his third tour of Iraq as an F-16 pilot in the 125th Fighter Squadron of the Oklahoma Air National Guard.

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