Question on Amateur Status / Cash Prize Tournaments

[UCBananaboy]

Perhaps this is the wrong forum but I didn't know where else to post. I'm hoping someone with a better understanding of the rules regarding amateur status can opine.

 

Suppose there is a tournament that offers cash prizes to the Top 5 finishers in the event. The prizes do not exceed the USGA rules of $750 in value.

 

Can an amateur play in the event, but enter the event with the request that any prizes won will be awarded via gift certificates, and therefore still maintain their amateur status? If not, what are the guidelines to keep status?

 

I see a lot of amateur events that payout cash prizes, so I'm always confused how they build fields. I see elite amateurs playing in the events. Is it more of 'play for cash and keep it quiet' or are there certain rules that can be followed to be above board on all the rules?

[rogolf]

10 minutes ago, UCBananaboy said:

Perhaps this is the wrong forum but I didn't know where else to post. I'm hoping someone with a better understanding of the rules regarding amateur status can opine.

 

Suppose there is a tournament that offers cash prizes to the Top 5 finishers in the event. The prizes do not exceed the USGA rules of $750 in value.

 

Can an amateur play in the event, but enter the event with the request that any prizes won will be awarded via gift certificates, and therefore still maintain their amateur status? If not, what are the guidelines to keep status?

 

I see a lot of amateur events that payout cash prizes, so I'm always confused how they build fields. I see elite amateurs playing in the events. Is it more of 'play for cash and keep it quiet' or are there certain rules that can be followed to be above board on all the rules?

Go to the source - it's likely better than opinions of others!

https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/rules-hub/amateur-status/amateur-status-faq-d8bb60a9.html

[UCBananaboy]

So in reading that, it sounds like it's ok to play as an am as long as you express your intention to take shop credit before the competition starts?

[rogolf]

48 minutes ago, UCBananaboy said:

So in reading that, it sounds like it's ok to play as an am as long as you express your intention to take shop credit before the competition starts?

Should you have any questions, please contact the USGA Amateur Status staff by calling (908) 326-1025 or by sending an email to [email protected].

[UCBananaboy]

Thanks!

[Dpavs]

I think you want to check with the USGA if protecting your amateur status is important to you. If I had to guess, my guess would be that entering any competition which offers cash prizes without filing a waiver would jeopardize your amateur status. I would also guess that attempt to modify the prize if you are the winner would not matter.

 

Why do I think that?

Consider this part of the faq's reference above:

 

"What happens if I play for prize money, but don’t win anything?

If you play in a competition that awards prize money, and have not entered as an amateur or waived your right to prize money before you start, you are in breach of the Rules. This is true even if you do not win anything – see Rule 3-1. For example, if you enter your state open as a professional and miss the cut, you have forfeited your amateur status."