Integrity often comes with a high price.

With a state championship on the line, Poland Regional High School senior Halsey Copp called a one-stroke penalty on himself after grounding his club during a putt. Copp said the ball moved, but none of his playing partners had seen the infraction. Copp said it happened and insisted on the penalty.

At the end of the tournament last week, that single stroke mattered. Poland lost the state title to Cape Elizabeth by one shot.

Copp could not have known that his honesty would cost his team the title, but he surely recognized the potential. And, yet, he did the right thing.

In most sports, gaming the umpire or referee is part of the action.

On any Sunday, watch as wide receivers try to convince the officials that a non-catch was a catch, that they got both feet in bounds, that they didn’t push off. Listen during a baseball game as the managers and players try to work the ump into a more favorable strike zone.

With golf, it’s different. Most of the time, it falls on players to police themselves.

Copp has earned the respect of the sporting and golfing community. He sets an example that others should follow.