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Originally Posted by bulldog2k  Hmm, but in the R&A's words, winning prize money bans you from being amateur, but puts you in the no-man's-land where you're not a professional.
I guess the question is, does all tour organisers and others involved in the game share the R&A's definition of professional, and what is this definition anyway? They go to great lengths to define amateur, just not the alternative... |
I forget sometimes everyone is not from america..lol..I must admit I am not up-to-date on R&A rules, but 99% of the time the USGA and PGA take their cues from the R&A, so my quess would be that it is very much the same. Amateurs accept money all the time is tournaments here, in the way of gift certificates, merchandise (golf
clubs, balls, etc...), but because they are organized as an amaturer event, they will not be classified as a pro for doing such, Amaturers play in pro events, organized and defined as pro events. So long as they do not accept money for it, they too will not change their status. So my guess would be that dependant on how the event is organized, and how you declare yourself, would be the deciding factor.
If accepting money is the only criteria, or making money, then there is are whole bunch of people who are pro now, anybody who ever won a skin, or $5 Nassau, and accepted the cash. So that kinda follows along with the instructor or coach thing. Unless you have the credentials, don't think it counts, so no gray area exists.