USGA Changes Qualifying Rules - Is the USGA Drunk?

[dmecca2]

https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/articles/2023/03/modifications-made-to-qualifying-for-usga-amateur-events.html

 

USGA moving to 18 hole local and sectional qualifying instead of the current 36 hole qualifier. Also giving out exemptions into sectionals based off state events, usga events, and wagr rankings.

Edited March 23 by SheriffBooth

[dmecca2]

Side question: Are the lower WAGR rankings ready for exemptions like this? I'm not sure how these rankings work for people not playing in high level events. For example, I played and finished decently in a WAGR event, but my name isnt listed on the WAGR site for that event, even though there are people listed that finished worse than me.

[AmateurAmateur]

By now we have all seen the news on rolling back the ball. For the most part it has not been well received, and those who tend to think it is a good idea fail to give reasons why that aren't easily disputed. 

However most recently the USGA made changes to the Qualifying criteria for it's Amateur Championships- which have also not been well received and with good reason. By eliminating the 36 hole qualifier and making it an 18 hole qualifier with a second stage 18 hole qualifier, the USGA is essentially making it impossible for the common am to play this event. Potential hopeful qualifiers are now forced to travel twice. Meaning the costs double. Two trips, two hotel rooms, two practice round fees.... you name it. For those of us that work, that's an extra 2 or three days off work to try and qualify. 

How does the USGA possibly sit in a room, have a discussion, and come to the conclusion this is a good idea. Absolute dumpster fire of an organisation these last two months. I hope they listen to the feedback they've been getting/will get and realise that they don't determine what is best for the game of golf- those of us who play it do.

[golfinbrad]

They look at the Amateur as a college tournament, not working people.  I agree with what you are saying.  The cost to compete in state and national Am tournaments have become very expensive.  I was disappointed when they dropped the Am Public Links tment.  USGA reminds me of the NCAA.  They have a purpose, but rather than addressing issues that falls under them at the right time, they put them off to when it is almost too late.  I did like some of the rule changes they have made, but really seems like 1 step forward and 2 steps back.  

[MattM97]

12 minutes ago, AmateurAmateur said:

How does the USGA possibly sit in a room, have a discussion, and come to the conclusion this is a good idea.

 

"How much extra will we make on fees? That much? Wow ok good job everyone" - USGA 

[smashdn]

You forgot while expanding the number of players exempt from local qualifying.  Top 600 in WAGR don't need to local qualify.

 

There are more ways to be exempted deeper into the process but if you are not exempt you would need to get through two levels of 18 hole qualifying split between two sites as opposed to 36 at one site.

 

The good news is if you weren't good enough to be exempt and don't make it out of that first 18 hole qualifying you don't have to worry about the second day (or hotel rooms, practice rounds, etc.) and you can get yourself back to work sooner.

[AmateurAmateur]

Just now, MattM97 said:

 

"How much extra will we make on fees? That much? Wow ok good job everyone" - USGA 

Yep, figured it was something like that. Withdrawing from the US open local qualifier later today. There are other things to waste my money on and the USGA isn't getting my donation (entry fee). That'll show 'em. 

[Pepperturbo]

Amateur events are structured as preparation leading to possible mini, PGA Tour career.  The people following that road by now have hooked up with private sponsor(s) that fund cost of play and travel.  If they have a job, like a few of my + buddies, their jobs allow the time.  I've been around and played in regional qualifying events over the years.  They are not designed for general working stiffs with hopes that maybe some day...but dedicated players looking to build golf credentials and a career.

 

 

[MattM97]

Just now, AmateurAmateur said:

Yep, figured it was something like that. Withdrawing from the US open local qualifier later today. There are other things to waste my money on and the USGA isn't getting my donation (entry fee). That'll show 'em. 

 

Don't worry this is every sport governing body, they talk about growing the game, improving play/events for the athletes, yada, yada, yada. Basically higher ups get more pay and free travel to events and what not. 

[klebs01]

Meh, makes sense. They are just getting rid of USGA tourism. It was nice while it lasted. 

[golfortennis]

Remember too that the USGA clings to the "gentleman golfer" amateur romance.  Ie., those that were rich who didn't need to work and had leisure time to become proficient at golf.

 

And while I am rarely in favor of anything the USGA does, were they seeing entries skyrocket?  These organizations are finding it difficult to find courses to host these qualifiers(members don't want to give up their course).  Maybe they needed to bring the entries down(although they will never say that, they will say it's an "enhancement.")

 

  

[caniac6]

I guess golf isn’t as inclusive as the USGA tells us it is.

[So_Cal]

I really dislike this move.  Shortening it to 18 holes would be better.  So dumb 

[Stevens24]

I think they want a player to be able to play 2 solid rounds on different dates as opposed to someone having a great day or being at their home course. If it doesn't work after a few years they can tweak it. But someone having a -5 first 10 holes and then shooting +1 for 26 holes can happen. A player shooting well at 2 courses on 2 days is less likely for a marginal player.

[Chunkitgood]

Yeah, it’s hell to be the adult in the room and deal with reality and with a bunch of children who won’t.

 

The amateur champion isn’t going to be a guy taking a couple of days off from selling insurance…and may not even be a Golf WRXer.

 

As to the distance thing, there’s a problem.  The fact that some people can’t or won’t understand why it’s a problem doesn’t change the reality of it being a problem, so they manned up and did something despite the inevitable invective it was bound to elicit.

 

USGA deserves an adult beverage or two.

[So_Cal]

1 hour ago, Stevens24 said:

I think they want a player to be able to play 2 solid rounds on different dates as opposed to someone having a great day or being at their home course. If it doesn't work after a few years they can tweak it. But someone having a -5 first 10 holes and then shooting +1 for 26 holes can happen. A player shooting well at 2 courses on 2 days is less likely for a marginal player.

I get it but they should play better.  One day is plenty.  It’s an amateur tournament and people have lives. 

[golfinbrad]

5 minutes ago, So_Cal said:

I get it but they should play better.  One day is plenty.  It’s an amateur tournament and people have lives. 

Yeah, these tournaments are now geared for players trying to get to a pro level.  Amateur golf has lost its luster.  It's a shame.  

 

[So_Cal]

Just now, golfinbrad said:

Yeah, these tournaments are now geared for players trying to get to a pro level.  Amateur golf has lost its luster.  It's a shame.  

 

I agree with you but it was fun to maintain the illusion.  Bummer 

[AmateurAmateur]

14 minutes ago, Chunkitgood said:

Yeah, it’s hell to be the adult in the room and deal with reality and with a bunch of children who won’t.

 

The amateur champion isn’t going to be a guy taking a couple of days off from selling insurance…and may not even be a Golf WRXer.

 

As to the distance thing, there’s a problem.  The fact that some people can’t or won’t understand why it’s a problem doesn’t change the reality of it being a problem, so they manned up and did something despite the inevitable invective it was bound to elicit.

 

USGA deserves an adult beverage or two.

Mike Whan what are you doing here!?

[CMCSGolf]

The change seems fine to me, but only having 45 local qualifying sites seems small?  That's less than 1 per state, so people are going to be traveling a long way to get to locals.  I assume they'll just host something in the 45 biggest cities?  If I were in charge, I'd increase the number of local sites to have more widespread geographic coverage for the opening qualifiers.  

[Naptime]

Yawn.  

[MtlJeff]

I'm guessing most people that actually qualify for the US open are not working folk...but that being said I do see the argument.

 

I also don't really thinks the USGA competition committee cares one iota about true amateurs or common working folk though. These are people that they use old 9 irons to shoo away from their Mercedes.

 

[CLEVELAND59]

34 minutes ago, Chunkitgood said:

Yeah, it’s hell to be the adult in the room and deal with reality and with a bunch of children who won’t.

 

The amateur champion isn’t going to be a guy taking a couple of days off from selling insurance…and may not even be a Golf WRXer.

 

As to the distance thing, there’s a problem.  The fact that some people can’t or won’t understand why it’s a problem doesn’t change the reality of it being a problem, so they manned up and did something despite the inevitable invective it was bound to elicit.

 

USGA deserves an adult beverage or two.

A bunch of children?  Usually its the one whose claiming to be an adult while putting others down who is the most immature one in the conversation.  

 

Is the amateur champ going to be a guy taking a couple of days off to play in a tournament?  Maybe, maybe not.  There have been some guys with legit day jobs who have made deep runs at the US Am.  It's not unheard of.  But the whole point of the US Open and US Am was that it was open to anyone so long as you met the handicap requirement.  That was always the stated intent and there is no compelling reason to change the format.  None.

 

As for the whole distance thing, there isn't an issue.  It's a perception.  And that's about it.  The USGA has an unhealthy obsession with that they call "protecting par".  It's counter productive.  They keep stretching courses and the only thing it favors is the small percentage of the games longest hitters.  Look at Bryson at Winged Foot.  Oddly the lowest total in relation to par of recent US Opens I can remember is the shortest course they played, Merion.  The fact of the matter is the scoring average hasn't changed much in spite of the USGA, and nothing in any of their championship events suggests that distance is an issue in terms of overall score. 

 

The only thing the USGA deserves is a healthy bowl of shut the hell up and a swift kick in the a** for screwing up stuff that wasn't broken until they attempted to fix it.  

[So_Cal]

Don’t see the sense in this.  It takes too much time.  People have lives, elite amateurs too.  

[Chunkitgood]

Actually…it would be interesting if they kicked the college players out.  After all they already have their own NCAA championship.  

 

Have the college kids invaded the state amateur championships?  The last time I knew who the champion of my state was he was a guy in real estate I used to play with sometimes.  It was a while ago but there were probably college kids even then who could have taken him.

[Hawkeye77]

6 hours ago, AmateurAmateur said:

By now we have all seen the news on rolling back the ball. For the most part it has not been well received, and those who tend to think it is a good idea fail to give reasons why that aren't easily disputed. 

However most recently the USGA made changes to the Qualifying criteria for it's Amateur Championships- which have also not been well received and with good reason. By eliminating the 36 hole qualifier and making it an 18 hole qualifier with a second stage 18 hole qualifier, the USGA is essentially making it impossible for the common am to play this event. Potential hopeful qualifiers are now forced to travel twice. Meaning the costs double. Two trips, two hotel rooms, two practice round fees.... you name it. For those of us that work, that's an extra 2 or three days off work to try and qualify. 

How does the USGA possibly sit in a room, have a discussion, and come to the conclusion this is a good idea. Absolute dumpster fire of an organisation these last two months. I hope they listen to the feedback they've been getting/will get and realise that they don't determine what is best for the game of golf- those of us who play it do.

Maybe you missed this less “edgy”take because of your hangover. 

 

[seanjk123]

Curious on the rationale here. Unless they felt they were consistently missing out on top players, why do this?

 

competitive golf is enough of a time commitment as it is for working folk….. why force another day? If they can point to top guys not qualifying, change exemption criteria….

[AmateurAmateur]

14 minutes ago, Hawkeye77 said:

Maybe you missed this less “edgy”take because of your hangover. 

 

Literally exactly what I was talking about. Thanks for chiming in! 

[So_Cal]

7 minutes ago, seanjk123 said:

Curious on the rationale here. Unless they felt they were consistently missing out on top players, why do this?

 

competitive golf is enough of a time commitment as it is for working folk….. why force another day? If they can point to top guys not qualifying, change exemption criteria….

Maybe trying to reduce numbers?  I don’t know.  For the Open yes, two stages makes sense.  For an amateur event they’re crazy 

[italianstallion]

1 hour ago, So_Cal said:

I get it but they should play better.  One day is plenty.  It’s an amateur tournament and people have lives. 

Agreed on all accounts. The nice thing about the way it’s currently set up is that anyone who meets the handicap criteria can keep the dream alive of playing for a national championship; all it takes is one day of being “on.” Stretch this to 54 holes across multiple days before getting to the actual national event and the mathematical odds of someone with a 1 handicap making it are astronomically impossible. But like others have said, maybe that’s what they’re trying to accomplish.