Athletes learn rules the hard way

Responsibility is a interesting, and sometimes, a dangerous thing.
For examples, we have to look no further than Los Angeles and Sandwich, England.
In the former, a professional basketball player admits to a sexual encounter with a woman who was not his wife, but denies charges of sexual assault.
In the latter, two players break a rule of golf -- signing the wrong scorecard -- and are disqualified from one of the biggest tournaments in the world. One was hopelessly out of contention, the other was in the top 10.
In no way, are we making any comparison between the alleged felonious act of Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, and the unfortunate circumstances regarding Mark Roe and Jesper Parnevik at the British Open.
If Bryant is judged guilty, he could face life in prison.
Roe and Parnevik were judged guilty, appealed and lost again in a matter of hours on Saturday. The worst punishment they face is flights home.
Media circus
Bryant's press conference Friday evening was well-orchestrated by his defense team (as was the timing of said press conference). There is little doubt he would have made any public statement until the district attorney in Eagle County, Colo., made a decision whether or not to make formal charges.
Some observers in the legal community believe there was negotiating between Bryant's lawyers and the alleged victim's representatives, in order to avoid a trial.
Obviously, either those negotiations broke down or the alleged victim refused to make a deal.
In either case, should this case go to trial, Bryant and his accuser -- and their families -- will be subjected to a public airing of their liaison ... and their differing accounts of what actually happened.
And like vultures circling above, the media will be all too happy to share the details. Sadly, the public will thirst for all the intimacies it can get.
A rule is a rule
Half a world away, two professional golfers were done in by what one called, "the dumbest rule I've heard of."
Roe and Parnevik failed to exchange their scorecards before the first tee Saturday at Royal St. George's. And afterwards, when they signed those scorecards, it was the same as signing a card with the wrong score.
Tournament officials admitted their people at the scoring tent should have caught the error, and had they -- or anyone, including the players -- done so before leaving the tent, Roe and Parnevik would have remained eligible.
In one way, we can sympathize with Parnevik, who called the rule "dumb." Common sense could have -- and should have -- prevailed here.
The rule is in place, but at a tournament like the British Open, which is televised from start to finish and virtually every shot is on tape -- what could either golfer have possibly gained by signing the wrong scorecard? It wasn't an incorrect score.
But, rules are in place for a reason -- especially in golf, where self-policing is most important. And, it's not as if this rule -- exchanging scorecards -- was put in place just Saturday. Both golfers should have known it was necessary.
It's a shame, especially for Roe, who had a solid three days around Royal St. George's and was certainly in contention for the championship.
Parnevik, on the other hand, shot an 81 on Saturday and was at 15-over-par for the tournament. The best he could hope for today was a round in the 60s and some movement up the scoreboard. He had no hope of winning, or even placing in the top 10.
But, the penalty was the same for both. Not even an appeal before the Royal & amp; Ancient, the governing body of golf in Europe, could help them.
Responsibility. Not an easy thing. Especially for three men, who must accept it under the glare of the public spotlight.
XRob Todor is sports editor of The Vindicator. Write to him at todor@vindy.com.