*****
I have no idea what the correct ruling would be but, consider this
somewhat similar situation.
About 20 years ago, with his first tee shot, a fellow player hit his
ball up into a big tree... it did not come down, he took his penalty,
and we played on.
About a year later, he hit his ball up in to that same tree. As we
walked toward the tree, a ball fell to the ground. He went and picked
it up, AND let out a whoop. Turned out it was the ball he had lost
there previously. Not having any idea what the ruling would be, he
just hit that old ball and we played on.
If you're not playing in a tournament or, for a lot of money, I think
that's the best procedure. :)
--
Loudon Briggs
lar...@bbz.net Phoenix, Arizona, USA)