Excellence through Ethics Essay Contest: Scenario

JA Worldwide and Deloitte
2008-09 Excellence through Ethics Essay Contest

Dr. James Wilson, known to all simply as "Doc," is as serious about golf as he is about all his endeavors in life. Dynamic and successful, he has established a thriving multi-doctor practice in the community. At age 43, he is well-known for his support of local government and charities, and he likes to have his photograph taken at sports events and town activities and published in newspapers and magazines.

Doc has reigned as the City View Golf Course champion for several years, but now he has an even bigger title in sight. He wants to win the upcoming tournament that will decide the state's at-large entrants into the prestigious U.S. Open. The tournament is being held nearby, and he has selected his regular caddy - Robert Jones - to help him.

Robert, 18, has been caddying on weekends for extra money. Like Doc, he has a dream. He wants to attend nearby Skyline College, a private liberal arts school known for its business curriculum, so he can follow in his father's entrepreneurial footsteps. Skyline has tough entrance standards. This worries Robert, but he’s had a great idea. He'll ask Doc, who is a former recipient of a Skyline Alumni of the Year Award and sits on the board of trustees, to write a letter of recommendation. He knows Doc from the community and the golf course and thinks he'll be more than happy to help. Robert decides to ask him after the upcoming golf competition.

The day of the tournament arrives, and both Dr. Wilson and Robert are excited about pursuing their respective dreams. Doc plays nearly four rounds of perfect golf and leads the game. On the 18th hole, with a slim, one-stroke lead, he drives the ball deep in the woods. Robert and Doc approach the ball and see that there actually is a clear path to the green.

As Doc takes his practice swings a few inches from the ball, Robert notices that the ball moves - just a little. But it is unmistakable, because the logo on the ball is definitely in different position. It looks like the ball rolled about an inch, and it's now in a riskier resting place. Robert knows that the official rule is that if the ball moves, it is considered a stroke. If this incident is reported, Dr. Wilson will no longer be in the lead. Doc doesn't say anything to Robert.

As Robert is wondering if Doc realizes what just happened, Dr. Wilson swings and hits the ball onto the green a few feet from the hole. Then he walks over and taps the ball in for a par and an apparent one-stroke victory. Robert hesitates, unsure of what to do. Everyone is already congratulating Doc, and he's jubilant. Robert realizes that if anyone knew that ball had moved, the outcome would be different; Doc and his closest opponent would currently be tied for first place.

Robert is in a quandary. This would have been the perfect time to ask him for the college recommendation, but now he doesn't know what to do.

Is Doc aware of what happened? Should Robert tell someone? Doc would probably be disqualified - and angry – and he would know the information came from Robert. Should he just keep quiet? He starts to think of all his options and wonders how this turn of events, and his decision, will affect his future. He simply has to get into Skyline College. Can he take the chance that he'll be accepted on his own merits, without Dr. Wilson's help?

If you were Robert, what would you do?