[golfing eagles]

While it is the season of giving, and free championship golf is , at least on the surface of it, a nice gift to TV, but after witnessing what I just saw I am not so sure. Grandpa was out with a kid, probably 8 years old, playing a par 4 with a foursome right behind them, 2 groups on the previous par 3 and 3 groups in sight on the par 4 before that. The kid teed off from the yellow tees, about 190 yds, and grandpa let him take EVERY shot on this hole. His longest hit was about 12 yards. I lost count at 34. Besides the 15 or so whiffs, he took out at least 10 huge chunks of sod, and neither of them filled them in. He played in the sand for a while, and no one raked. On the green, he was kneeling on the surface, apparently lining up grandpa's putt, which is scary in and of itself. I'm sure he left about a 1 inch depression within 3 feet of the cup. While it is Christmas, I think the rule of age 14 or 11 with pro approval should apply today as well. Also, since the greens fee of $0 attracts a crowd, they should make a pick up at double par rule especially for today. I really feel for the groups behind them. Sorry to sound like a Grinch and no offense to anyone, but it is going to take 2 weeks for the damage to the courses to heal if there is a lot of similar situations out there.