Shamateurs

My USGA newsletter arrived in the mail this week and it included an interesting little article about the record number of former professional golfers who were approved as reinstated amateurs last year. A total of 881 former pros were granted amateur status which makes them eligible to compete in events such as the U.S. Amateur, the Mid-Amateur and the Senior Amateur. The USGA noted that 2006 was the fifth consecutive year that the number of pros turning amateur had increased. “More and more professionals are finding it worthwhile to complete the one-or two-year reinstatement process in order to take full advantage of the many competitive opportunities in amateur golf,” said Tony Zirpoli of the USGA.

Here’s my take. The USGA is far too lenient in allowing former pros to become reborn amateurs. I can understand the benefit of allowing someone who technically became a professional by accepting a $50,000 hole-in-one prize to regain his or her amateur status. However, in some instances, these former pros competed on mini-tours and at one time in their life they thought they possessed the skills to earn money from the game. If they were good enough to turn pro with the thought of playing competitive golf at the highest levels, then I believe they should forever be considered a professional. When they enter amateur events, they have a huge advantage in both skill and experience over the true amateur who never went pro. It’s a flat out sham. Instead of bragging about it, the USGA should tighten the requirements for reinstatement of these shamateurs.

Hitting range balls while wondering whatever happened to Chris Patton.