Has anyone here ever lost their amateur status for a year due to winning a prize worth over a certain amount of money? Have you read the Rules of Golf concerning this and what do you think about how the rule is written? Do you think it's fair? Very curious about this as I have know two people this has happened to and I personally think either the rule book needs to be re-written or whoever is making these decisions is wrong. Some feedback please.
Thanks.
Jerry
I think it is ridiculous for people to lose their amateur status for good luck (i.e. cars for a hole-in-one). However, I do think they should lose their amateur status if they are playing for prize-money over the current $750 limit (per occurance). One is luck and one is playing skill...the very definition of professional.
I think it is ridiculous for people to lose their amateur status for good luck (i.e. cars for a hole-in-one). However, I do think they should lose their amateur status if they are playing for prize-money over the current $750 limit (per occurance). One is luck and one is playing skill...the very definition of professional.
Thanks for your reply. A hole-in-one, no matter how good the shot or how skillful the player, has the odds akin to winning the lottery, IMO. Plus, as you stated, it's not like they won prize money for winning the tournament, which, if someone is good enough to do that consistently, they should be professional golfers. They won a once in a lifetime prize for a once in a lifetime shot. But, as a golf pro, how do you read the rule that pertains to this situation? I wholeheartedly agree with what you said, but I would really like to know, when you read the Rules of Golf concerning this, how do they read to you? I would really value your opinion since you are a pro. Thanks again.
Jerry
It's one of the rules that I disagree with... along with playing from divots or roots in the fairway. I know one guy that has won a car, he was about a 15 handicap and for a year he was a pro
I was just talking about this with a few guys on the 19th hole this weekend. Why is it that if you enter an event, say you monday qualify for a pga event, the only way you can get paid is to enter as a pro, but for a hole in one you are an amateur until you get lucky and cash in?
It's one of the rules that I disagree with... along with playing from divots or roots in the fairway. I know one guy that has won a car, he was about a 15 handicap and for a year he was a pro
I was just talking about this with a few guys on the 19th hole this weekend. Why is it that if you enter an event, say you monday qualify for a pga event, the only way you can get paid is to enter as a pro, but for a hole in one you are an amateur until you get lucky and cash in?
Yes, I hate it when you get penalized for a good shot down the fairway. But as far as being considered a pro for losing your amatuer status in this kind of situation, I think you may be wrong. I don't think they are considered pro's but just can't participate in any USGA sanctioned amatuer events. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong here. Have a good one and thanks for your post.
Jerry
Yes, I hate it when you get penalized for a good shot down the fairway. But as far as being considered a pro for losing your amatuer status in this kind of situation, I think you may be wrong. I don't think they are considered pro's but just can't participate in any USGA sanctioned amatuer events. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong here. Have a good one and thanks for your post.
Jerry
Theres not much of a difference if you ask me. If your banned from amatuer events but your not considered a pro what are you?
Theres not much of a difference if you ask me. If your banned from amatuer events but your not considered a pro what are you?
I think you're still an amateur but you just can't play in any USGA sanctioned amateur tournaments for a year. I also heard that it costs you to regain this privilege at the end of the year. I guess it's sort of like having your driver's license suspended for a year. But I certainly don't think you're considered a pro. If it happened to you or me, how many pro events do you think we would qualify for, LOL? Anyway, I think, like most I've talked to, that this rule should be changed. But if they're not going to change it they should reprint the page in the Rules of Golf to make it read as it should.
Jerry
Theres not much of a difference if you ask me. If your banned from amatuer events but your not considered a pro what are you?
This is where you end up in no man's land. You can't enter a tournament as a professional (usually requires membership in a professional organization such as a local PGA Chapter) and you can't enter one as an amateur. Usually your home club will overlook the fact that you lost your amateur status but you would not be able to compete for any USGA or State Amateur titles for a year.
As the Rule is read, you can not accept a Hole-In-One prize or prize-money in an event that has a value over $750 either alone or combined. I think the Hole-In-One prize category should be eliminated but unfortunately, I am not on the USGA Rules Committee.
Zounds!!!
I guess nobody on the Rules Commitee has ever gotten a hole in one prize. It is bound to happen sooner or later though & then the rule will be changed! I think it is funny that they even put a price on amateur status. Most of the regular golf players I know would give up their amateur status for a hot bowl of soup.
As the Rule is read, you can not accept a Hole-In-One prize or prize-money in an event that has a value over $750 either alone or combined. I think the Hole-In-One prize category should be eliminated but unfortunately, I am not on the USGA Rules Committee.
Yep, unfortunately I'm not either. I agree that the rule reads what you said, but directly underneath it there is a sentence that implies that a hole in one is an exception. There is just enough ambiguity to allow them to make the interpretation the way that they want it and I wonder if it is interpreted the same for everybody everywhere. If it's going to be a rule, so be it, but at least make it understandable. Either way, I wouldn't turn down a once in a lifetime prize for making one. I just don't see that as the same thing as winning alot of prize money for winning a tournament, which would take considerable skill whereas the hole in one is, though the shot must be good, a very lucky shot. Thanks for your reply and have a good one.
Jerry
TourDreams and BamaGolf,
I'm with you. I would gladly give up my privilege to play in amateur events for a year to win something like a new car but I just don't think I should have to. However, that said, I would still do it. What's the price difference between a new car and a couple of dozen golf balls and a trophy? Really hard decision, huh? Thanks for your replys and hope you both shoot career rounds next time out.
Jerry
May 9th, 2005, 07:02 PM
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