Congratulations to the US Women’s golf team who created history last weekend by overcoming a 10-6 deficit with a record shattering win of the 2015 Soldheim Cup 14-1/2 to 13-1/2 over the defending European Women’s’ team.
Besides being remembered for the largest comeback in Soldheim history, the tournament will also be remembered for the controversary that occurred in the morning fourball matches which caused deep emotions to surface for both teams.
In the final group, Alison Bell of the US team had an 8 foot birdie putt on the 17th green to go one up over the team of Suzanne Pettersen and Charley Hull. Alison missed the remaining 18-inch putt. Thinking the putt was conceded she picked it up. Pettersen then claimed she had not conceded the putt and the umpire gave the win to Europe by forfeit.
That left Alison Bell to deal with the embarrassment of having done something wrong and feeling guilty for letting down her team. As with most golfers when they are caught making a mistake, she probably rationalized that she heard someone give her the putt. And the outcry of unsportsmanlike conduct for not conceding the putt punished Suzanne Pettersen even though she had adhered to the Rules of Golf. Both had acted in accord with the rules pertaining to match play, but were publicly shamed for their actions.
Guilt is an emotion triggered when you have done something or said something you regret or wish hadn’t happened. And others can make us feel guilty about something that isn’t our fault.
What is the lesson to be learned?
After reflection, Pettersen decided that her actions cost her the respect and admiration of a lot of her peers and golf fans. She accepted that she couldn’t change the past, and began to make amends by apologizing soon after the completion of the matches.
Pettersen’s public apology stated, “ I never felt more gutted and truly sad about what went down Sunday at the 17th hole at the Soldheim Cup. I am so sorry about not thinking about the bigger picture in the heat of the battle and competition. I was trying my hardest for my team and put the single match and the point that could be earned ahead of sportsmanship and the game of golf itself! I feel like I let my team down and I am sorry.”
It is important to take care of business as soon as possible. If you are a tournament player, you most likely have encountered a similar situation that evoked intense bad feelings of anger, embarrassment or guilt when you had to call someone on a rules infraction, or someone called you on a rules infraction.
Guilt will make you feel awful. When you get into an emotional situation, it is important to deal with it as soon as possible so you can release the feeling. Otherwise, the more you mull it over in your head and put off, the more it will bother you and interfere with your performance. Not dealing with the situation will keep the bad feelings going. When you take action to deal with the situation you will feel better and the guilt feelings will subside.
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