Page 30 - Golf Champion - Mar 2021
P. 30
[GOLF NEWS]
THE USGA AND THE R&A
MODERNIZE AMATEUR STATUS
RULES
아마추어 등급 규칙을 업데이트한 USGA와
R&A
IBERTY CORNER, N.J., USA and ST ANDREWS, • Accepting payment for giving instruction.
LScotland (Feb. 22, 2021) – The USGA and The R&A • Accepting employment as a golf club professional
have announced proposals for significant changes or membership of an association of professional
to the Rules of Amateur Status that govern the game golfers.
worldwide. To achieve this simplified approach, the following key
changes are proposed:
These proposals result from a modernization initiative • Eliminating the distinction between cash prizes and
that has identified a clear need to bring the Rules up to other prizes.
date to reflect today’s global amateur game and ensure • Using the prize limit as the only way an amateur can
that the Rules are easier to understand and apply. lose amateur status through their play (meaning that
entering or playing a competition as a professional
The proposed Rules, along with explanations to key would not, of itself, result in the loss of amateur
changes, have been posted on usga.org and randa.org status).
and the organizations are now inviting feedback from • Removing restrictions from the Rules surrounding
golfers and stakeholders. Comments will be accepted competitions such as long-drive events, putting
through Friday, March 26, with the new Rules scheduled competitions and skills competitions that are not
to be adopted on January 1, 2022. played as part of a tee-to-hole competition; and
• Eliminating all sponsorship restrictions
A comprehensive review of the Rules of Amateur Status
began in late 2017, focusing on three main goals: to “Golf is unique in its broad appeal to both recreational
ensure the Rules are in the best interests of the game, and competitive golfers,” said Craig Winter, USGA
reflect the modern game, and are easily understood and Senior Director, Rules of Golf and Amateur Status. “We
applied. understand and value how important amateur status is,
This review reaffirmed amateur golf’s important not only to those who compete at the highest level of the
position in the game and the value in maintaining amateur game, but for the millions of golfers at every
amateur status Rules to safeguard all the ways golf is age and skill level who enjoy competitive events at their
played and enjoyed. home courses. These updates should help simplify these
Rules and ensure the health of the amateur game.”
The result is a set of Rules that redefine the distinction Grant Moir, Director of Rules at The R&A, said, “The
between amateur and professional golf and provide a Rules of Amateur Status play an important role in
condition of eligibility – amateur status – for amateurs protecting the integrity of our self-regulating sport but
who compete in golf competitions. the code must continue to evolve. This is particularly
so in relation to the modern elite amateur game, where
As part of the modernization effort, it is proposed that many of the players need financial support to compete
the new Rules will identify only three acts that will and develop to their full potential, and the proposed new
result in a golfer losing their amateur status: Rules will give much greater scope for this.”
• Accepting a prize in excess of the prize limit.
30 | |
