New amateur rules quite interesting
The United States Golf Association and the Royal & Ancient (R&A) announced rules changes for 2016, including the most-talked about one, the ban on the anchored putting stroke.
But those changes also include a very interesting one that involves amateurs, especially elite amateurs.
It has always been that amateurs were able to compete in any tournaments, even ones where professionals were competing for prize money. The amateurs were not permitted to receive any money and any money they would win went to the next professional below them on the leaderboard.
Under the new rule, amateurs will be able to accept any winnings, but will have to donate those to a charity of their choice.
This affects competitions around the world and the change comes partly from the number of natural disasters across the globe and feedback from amateurs who expressed interest in donating whatever winnings they might receive to help causes like those.
That is admirable for golf’s ruling bodies and the amateurs. I’m guessing the reaction of the professionals might be a bit different. Just as a local example, Nathan Smith and Sean Knapp have won the Frank B. Fuhrer Jr. Invitational.
Neither took home the winner’s check, of course. That went to the pro who finished second. Now that big check is no longer available to them, if the amateur chooses to accept it.
Stay tuned for further reaction to all of that.
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After finishing second the past two years, Pittsburgh’s Nathan Smith won the prestigious William C. Fownes Jr., Amateur Player of the Year award, given by the Pennsylvania Golf Association.
Smith totaled 817 points to easily outdistance last year’s winner, Arnie Cutrell of Greensburg, by 167 points.
Smith’s big season began with a win in the inaugural USGA Amateur Four-Ball Championship at The Olympic Club in San Francisco where he teamed with Todd White.
He also won the 12th R. Jay Sigel Amateur Match Play Championship at Indiana Country Club, getting by Cutrell in a final that required 24 holes to determine a winner. That was his fourth victory in that event.
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Here’s the kind of story that makes every golfer smile.
John Hudock of Uniontown had a momentous occasion in golf in the last couple weeks. He registered his first-ever hole-in-one playing the Red Course at Cedarbrook. He ripped a five-iron against the wind on the par three, 161-yard 11th hole, a shot witnessed by playing partners Bob Shaw (New Salem), Bino Pinardi (Allison) and Matt Dankovich (Hiller).
But that’s not the whole story. Pinardi, who is 79, shot his age earlier this year and previously had a shot (and a par) he’ll never forget.
Playing the par-three third Red Course at Cedarbrook, his first shot found a watery grave. When he re-teed, that shot found the bottom of the cup and Pinardi had a par.
That was one three on the card that will always have special meaning to Pinardi.
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Golf in Western Pennsylvania lost one of its’ finest this week.
John Aber of Greensburg died suddenly last Sunday and leaves behind a wonderful legacy.
His career was that of a family practice doctor but his hobby and one of his great loves was golf. He played as much as he could, raised his children, John and Staci, in the game and became very learned in the rules of the game. John is the golf professional at Allegheny Country Club.
Aber, 71, became a rules official for the USGA and walked the fairways in U.S. Opens and other major events with the greatest players in the game.
He also worked as an official in the Tri-State Section PGA’s big events and players knew that when Doc, as he was known to everyone who knew him, was called for a rules interpretation, the issue would be resolved quickly, fairly and professionally.
Doc leaves big shoes to fill and they won’t be filled easily.
Personally, Doc was my physician for many years and a friend for more than that.
Rest peacefully, my friend.
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We’ve always heard the early bird gets the worm, right?
The USGA is providing golf fans to get the worm, so to speak, regarding tickets for the 2016 U.S. Open at Oakmont.
Tickets bought between now and Nov. 30 will get the buyer a personalized brass bag tag which features the distinctive logo of the Open at Oakmont and will be engraved to the buyer’s specifications.
Free shipping will apply to all tickets purchased before Nov. 30. Actual tickets will be mailed early next May.
The Open will be held June 13-19 at Oakmont, the ninth time the historic club has hosted it.
Tickets are available for purchase at usga.org/tickets and usopen.com.