“A skins game is a skins game. I guess they have certain cheeks they can turn at certain times."

Thanks to reader Mike for Mark Button's exclusive story on mid-Am Mike McCaffrey losing his amateur status after winning $8500 in a Skins Game. And now he can wear a big corporate logo on his cap. Oh wait, he could do that before...but winning a Skins Game...

The United States Golf Association on Oct. 20 ruled that McCaffrey “professionalized his playing status” on Aug. 21 by accepting $8,500 in prize money from a skins game at Beeville Country Club. Accepting prize money is a violation of Rule 3 of the USGA’s Rules of Amateur Status.

Interestingly, McCaffrey gave the money back, but that didn't matter.

“It was a skins game,” McCaffrey said. “When I learned it was excessive per the USGA standards, I gave the money back.”

McCaffrey, who regained his amateur status in February, said he returned the money to the club in Beeville a few days after the event. Repeated calls to the Beeville Country Club were not returned.

“After-the-fact repayment of prize money isn’t a valid defense of a violation of the rules of amateur status,” Goode said. “This case serves as a cautionary tale of conduct that undermines the spirit and values of the game that all competitors should avoid.”

Talking to agents, wearing corporate logos and accepting free stuff as an amateur, now that's the spirit of the game!