Club Selected for Play-Rule 4-4a

As said in earlier posts, many rulings hinge on the correct definition of various terms used in Rules of Golf. R &A is fairly precise in its definitions and tries its best to define as many terms as possible.R&A is also consistent in its terminology. However, a few terms which are not listed in the Rules definition chapter leaves the referees  making their own interpretation. This was brought to focus in a recent rules incident at the Southern India Amateur event conducted by the Indian Golf Union in Eagleton.
Kelly Rao and Akhil Rao, who are brothers, were slated to play--Kelly, a 1st tee starter and Akhil, from Tee 10. Both were practicing on the range. One of Akhils club, a 9 iron, was by mistake put into Kellys bag. Unaware, Kelly started his round from tee 1 with 15 clubs. After about 15 minutes, Akhil started his round from tee 10 with 13 clubs.After Hole 4, Kelly to his consternation, noticed the 15th club, declared it out of play and was duly docked 4 strokes penalty under R 4-4. Kelly also sent through somebody the excess 9 iron back to his  brother.Kelly Rao also confirmed that till the time of declaring  it out of play, he has not played a ny stroke with the 9 iron.Akhil received his 9 iron back on hole 11 and completed hole 12, when I met him. He indicated that till completion of hole 12,he has not used the 9 iron to make any stroke.I advised him that he too may be liable for penalties and he should not use the 9 iron till the matter is clarified. Akhil handed over the 9 iron to me.
As the matter was complicated, the issue was discussed with the members of the tournament committee.Decision 4-4a/1 was the key to resolve the issue.The operative part of this decision relevant to the ruling states that a player, who starts the round with fewer than 14 clubs must not add any club SELECTED FOR PLAY BY ANY OTHER PERSON PLAYING ON THE COURSE.My interpretation of this decision was that Akhil will be breaching Rule 4-4a, since his brother(with or without intent0 selected the said 9 iron for play of his round.Two other referees, who are also members of the tournament committee ,interpreted that any club selected for play meant a player should have used the club to make a stroke. Since Kel;ly Rao has not used the club for making a stroke, Kelly has not selected the club for play. Hence, they concluded that Akhil could add his 9 iron as per provisions of Rule 4-4a and Decision 4-4a/1 without any breach. I argued that selection for play and use of club for making strokes are two different events.Making a stroke is not a necessary condition for "Selecting a club for Play", as per my interpretation.
The matter was referred to higher authorities and the  tournament committee( which included me and other referees) decided in equity Akhil should be allowed to retrieve his club and use it without breach of R 4-4a. I was directed to return the 9 iron to Akhil and he was advised about the ruling of the tournament committee.
As I had some lingering doubts about the ruling, I referred the matter to R & A and sought an unofficial clarification. R & A clarified that Kelly has selected the 9 iron for play for his round( though by default) and since Akhil has also started his round, he cannot add the said 9 iron as his 14th club. Akhil could have added his 9 iron without breach, provided he had received his 9 iron back, before teeing off on hole 10.