Saltman given 3-month European Tour ban
Scot Elliot Saltman will face three months on the European Tour sidelines after being found guilty of a ‘serious breach’ of regulations at a Challenge Tour event last year.
The 28-year old had been accused of marking his ball in an incorrect manner during the M2M Russian Challenge Cup, a €175,000 event played at Tseleevo Golf & Polo Club and won by Spaniard, Carlos del Moral.
As a result of the infraction, Saltman was disqualified and appeared on Tuesday at a disciplinary hearing in Abu Dhabi, ahead of this week’s Abu Dhabi Championship, although Saltman had not qualified for the event.
Also called to the hearing were Saltman’s playing partners for the particular round – English pair Marcus Higley and Stuart Davis.
Saltman qualified for the European Tour through qualifying school in November, but will now be suspended from competing in any European Tour or Challenge Tour-sanctioned tournaments with immediate effect; while he also becomes the first professional player to be banned from competing on the European Tour since Sweden’s Johan Tumba was suspended for 10 years for altering his scorecard at qualifying school.
After the event in Moscow, Saltman admitted that he had broken the rules but he later retracted his comments, saying last month that he was “sorry now that I didn’t stand up for myself.”
Saltman was found to be in breach of the 2010 Challenge Tour Members Regulation F 1 (b) 6 (Rules of Golf). The player now has 28 days to appeal the tournament committee’s verdict, which has effectively ruled out Saltman from competing until the Volvo China Open at the earliest.
Saltman being found guilty of cheating is justified and good for the game, his penalty however is not. In a game where each individual penalises himself and integrity is fundamental to participation, cheating cannot be accepted at any level. A three month ban is an insult to his fellow tour players and amateurs alike. What example does it set to club players and juniors currently learning the game?
There will forever be a shadow cast over his name which will unfairly put pressure on those playing with him after his ban has been lifted. Each time he marks his ball people will be watching. As he was found guilty of cheating his tour card should have been revoked immediately and he should have to find a new profession.
In my opinion there is no room for the like of Saltman in our game.