Elliot Saltman commits a serious offense, cheating in golf
Elliot Saltman has been banned from playing golf for three months due to cheating.
Since 1992, this has been the second time any European golfer has been shunned from playing on the fairways.
Where the first incident involved changing the scorecard, Saltman has been prohibited to play due to placing his ball incorrectly on the field.
And it wasn’t just once source that say the ball was repeatedly marked incorrectly.
According to reports, the 28-year-old golfer cheated at the M2M Russian Challenge Cup held in Moscow last year. While on the putting greens, Saltman allegedly marked his ball incorrectly on at least 5 occasions. The minor European Tour event thus witnessed
Saltman cheat in the first round, 5 times, in September.
Partnered with Stuart Davies and Marcus Higley, his colleagues first raised concerns with Saltman and later, with the authorities about the swindle.
The tournament referee declared that Saltman’s scorecard would not be filled since he was accused of cheating. In view of the broken rules, Gary Butler along with the three men held a private meeting, which resulted in a disqualification for the Scott from
the tournament.
The official announcement of the ban would be made today by the chief executive officer of the European Tour.
Although the decision was passed yesterday and has been communicated to the golfer, the formal announcement would have to be carried out by George O'Grady. The decision was passed after Saltman appeared before a 28-member official committee, which also comprised
of the chairman of the Tour's tournament committee, Thomas Bjorn.
In the last 10 years, Saltman is the first European professional to have faced a disqualification (DQ) and then a ban from playing. Previously, the blemish had been with Johan Tumba, who was banned after changing his scorecard at tour school.
As for Saltman, he says he’s innocent.
"I accepted the DQ at that time because I was in shock and avoided the label of a cheat. I feel sorry that I didn't stand up for myself", he said.
The 28-year-old golfer has a total of 28 days to file an appeal against the verdict.
For the European Tour, they aspire to avoid a long battle of cheating cases and Saltman sees the consequence as huge.
“It affects me and my family. I hate the label of a cheat and I hope the matter gets sorted out as fast as it can”, said Saltman.
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