By Paul Kenyon
Journal Sports Writer

REHOBOTH -- Only in golf could something like this happen:

A competitor in a state championship event showed shows up without any equipment. But he got gets to play anyway, with the help of the guy running the tournament.

It happened to Tom Caffrey on Monday in the R.I. Amateur.

Caffrey, who plays out of Country View in Burrillville, earned a spot in the Amateur in open qualifying. He arrived at Crestwood in plenty of time for his 9:03 tee time. But when he looked in his trunk, he had forgotten something.

His clubs.

"He came to me and said, 'Bob, I've got a little problem,'.'' related Bob Ward, the RIGA's executive director. "We got him squared away.''

Ward had his clubs in his trunk, as Caffrey thought he had. Ward told Caffrey he was welcome to use his clubs.

And Caffrey accepted.

"He shot an 81, the same thing I usually shoot with them,'' Ward said.

Caffrey promised to remember to bring his clubs for Tuesday's second and final qualifying round.