By Emily von Doehren
SCGA Director of Club Services

As summer approaches and tournaments of all levels are in full gear, be conscious of what you’re signing up for. There’s the chance it could violate your Amateur Status.
When the USGA created The Rules of Amateur Status, the premise was that amateur golfers of all ages play without remuneration or financial incentive, simply in support of their love for the game of golf. This affects many situations that you’ve likely been
in, but were unaware of the consequences.
Can I play in an event that offers monetary prizes or valuable items? There are strict rules for official prizes awarded in competitions: No cash (of any amount) and the prize must not exceed $750 retail value. The kicker: All golfers in the field of an event issuing non-
conforming prizes, not just the winner, would be in breach of Rule 3-1, Playing for Prize Money.

If I can’t play for money in a tournament, can I still bet with my golf buddies on the course? It depends. Oftentimes casual rounds of golf with friends lead to informal wagering among the group. Although gambling is not supported or encouraged by the SCGA or USGA, the USGA’s Policy on Gambling outlines informal wagering: Provided all the golfers know each other, participation is optional, the source of money won is advanced by the golfers and most importantly, the amount of money involved is not considered to be excessive.
Clubs should be aware of State of California TOURNEYS AND TOURS gaming laws. In some cases, they could be held responsible for inappropriate or illegal activities conducted on property.
OK, I committed a breach of Amateur Status. What does it mean for me? Technically speaking, amateur golfers in violation of the Rules become non-amateur golfers. Non-amateurs are excluded from participation in amateur-only competitions, such as SCGA and California State events, city and county amateur championships, and even some USGA tournaments. Local club tournament participation is at the discretion of the committee in charge of the competition.
CIF and NCAA golfers can breach their status also. If this happens, the appropriate governing bodies should be contacted.
My Amateur Status is important to me. How do I get it back? If a non-amateur wishes to reinstate their status, they must apply for Reinstatement of Amateur Status via www.usga.org. The SCGA reviews and endorses the information locally
once the application is submitted, then forwards it to the USGA for final approval. Depending on the type and length of breach, the TJSGA may issue a period awaiting reinstatement, typically one to two years depending on the circumstances. The USGA has the sole authority to reinstate a golfer’s amateur status.
So is there any way I can win a hole-in-one prize in, say, a charity tournament, without losing my Amateur Status? There is now! The Rules of Amateur Status now permit you to accept a prize, including a car, for making a
hole-in-one while playing a round of golf. The key is the hole-in-one must be made during the round of golf. If, for instance, the hole-in-one was actually made during a separate competition outside the round, the prize would be limited under Rule 3-2 to a prize with
a retail value not exceeding $750.
What’s the SCGA’s role in all of this? While the USGA is
responsible for writing, interpreting and reinstating Amateur Status, the SCGA is obligated to enforce, monitor, investigate and clarify all Amateur Status issues in Southern California. It’s not uncommon for the SCGA to receive anonymous tips or questions surrounding everyday golfers, and upon review of the situation, the SCGA is obligated to report any Amateur Status infractions or situations to the USGA for final review.
Have a question regarding Amateur Status? Visit the
Rules and Decisions on The Rules of Amateur Status at www.usga.org, or contact Emily von Doehren at evondoehren@scga.org..