Schmidt Loses Amateur Status Case Against USGA
From the wire:
Representing himself in court on Monday, Schmidt made an emotional appeal, borrowing from amateur great Bobby Jones: "There is golf and there is competitive golf and the two are entirely different things."
Schmidt said he entered an inferred or implied contract with the USGA when he applied for his amateur status and paid a $125 fee.
But Lee Abrams, an attorney representing the USGA, claimed that any contract was essentially completed when Schmidt was granted his amateur status.
Mosman, while prefacing his ruling by saying "a part of my heart always roots for the underdog," turned down the request because Schmidt's status did not meet the legal threshold of a contract.
Schmidt is proceeding with an appeal of his status through the USGA. He could also pursue other aspects of his legal complaint, but he said Monday he has not decided whether he will do that.
I suppose the USGA would take their time with his application if he reapplied for his amateur status?
Tuesday, July 14, 2009 at 07:58 PM
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Reader Comments (7)
It would seem that the player in question, threw down a Million Dollar challenge that included 72 holes of golf and several hands of poker to anyone who could beat him at both. In short, a bet.
The size of the bet, greater than the standard stipulated by the USGA caused the player to lose his standing. What we don't see here is that no one ever took him up on the bet, so he never actually competed against anyone for the money.
Imagine signing up for a PGA Monday Qualifier only the PGA canceled the event and the USGA took away your status. Would that be justified?
I don't think so. If he had actually competed for cash I say take away his status, but in this case he didn't so I don't know why they can't reinstate him.
Just my two cents.
I agree that the reporting of this story has been confusing. But I don't think that one bet, even a million-dollar bet, gets your amateur status taken away.
What this guy was doing, was operating an online gmabling website. And using his golfing skill, as it were, to promote the site through a public bet.
The USGA doesn't ban all betting. Go to the web site and review the USGA Policy on Gambling. You only get into trouble when your betting is not casual, among friends. And/or when it turns into prize money, as with Calcuttas and such (although I'd say that the present case actually presents a STRONGER case for revoking amateur status than something like the Deepdale Calcutta scandal.)
Indeed, your analogy to a PGA Tour qualifier is one such accomodation that the USGA now officially recognizes; that is, ams can attempt a professional tour q-school, and retain their amateur status if they fail to qualify and recieve no other perks or payment as professionals in the process.
First off, I know Dusty and he is anything but a clown. You might not agree with his stance on this issue. That's anybody's right. But Dusty is a purist when it comes to the sport. He lives, eats and breaths golf. It just so happens he found a niche playing on-line poker.
Your post proves nothing but lack of knowledge of the person and his quest.
As for this guy, I think its kind of a close call, and I see both sides of it. I'm not sure what he really expected from a lawsuit.