Be the Referee: Animal Interference
By
Paige Winne
MHSAA Director of Brand Management
September 20, 2023
Be The Referee is a series of short messages designed to help educate people on the rules of different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating, and to recruit officials.
Below is this week's segment – Animal Interference - Listen
In golf – it’s common to hear about birdies, eagles, maybe even an albatross. Or in my case, a snowman. But what if an actual animal interferes with your ball while in play?
There are two kinds of interference.
The first involves a ball still in motion. If you are putting and a squirrel darts out and stops or redirects your putt, you simply get a do-over from the original spot.
Off the green, if a moving ball is stopped or re-directed, you play the ball from where it ultimately stops.
If your ball is stopped and a seagull picks it up and carries it off – you just replace the ball to its original spot and proceed.
It doesn’t happen often, but now you know how to deal with squirrels and seagulls … in addition to birdies and eagles.
Previous Editions
Sept. 13: Feet Rule on Soccer Throw-In - Listen
Sept. 6: Volleyball Jewelry - Listen
Aug. 30: Football Rules Similarities - Listen
Aug. 23: Football Rules Differences - Listen
(PHOTO by Gary Shook.)
Performance of the Week: Bath's Addilyn Duflo
October 23, 2026
Addilyn Duflo ♦ Bath
Sophomore ♦ Golf
After finishing runner-up as a freshman last fall, Duflo concluded her sophomore season as the medalist at last weekend’s Lower Peninsula Division 4 Final at The Meadows at Grand Valley State – and in doing so led Bath to its first Finals team championship in the sport.
Duflo – who also plays basketball – carded a two-day 152, taking a nine-stroke lead during Friday’s first round with a 73. She followed with a 79 on Saturday and was the only competitor to break 80 during the tournament. Bath, in only its sixth season as a program, cleared the field by 14 strokes to win the team trophy.
@mhsaasports ⛳️ POW: Addilyn Duflo #Bath #Golfer #StateChamp #PerformanceOfTheWeek #MHSAA ♬ original sound - MHSAA
@mhsaasports ⛳️ POW: Addilyn Duflo #TikTalk #FunFacts #fyp #Golf #MHSAA ♬ original sound - MHSAA
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Past 2026-27 honorees
Oct. 16: Levi Lengemann, Imlay City - Read
Oct. 9: Olivia Buford, Sterling Heights Stevenson - Read
Oct. 2: Sophia McCollum, Muskegon Reeths-Puffer - Read
Sept. 25: Jenna Middleton, Kingsley volleyball - Read
Sept. 18: Caden Livermore, Grandville cross country - Read
(Photo by High School Sports Scene.)