PRESIDENT of the Halifax, Huddersfield Union Richard Kaye has welcomed The Royal and Ancient Club’s decision to play for unlimited hole-in-one prizes.
As of January 1 next year amateur golfers all over the world will be allowed to play for unlimited hole-in-one prizes under revisions to the sport’s rules.
Previously the rules allowed for a prize worth no more than £500 and any amateur accepting something of greater value had to relinquish their amateur status.
The Royal and Ancient Club have now decided that “the special nature of a hole-in-one during a round of golf means that restrictions on the prizes offered have been lifted”.
The move should prove a real bonus to both clubs and players alike, reckons Kaye.
“It is a fantastic move really and possibly long overdue,” said Bradley Park’s Kaye.
“In the past a prize of any major value would put an amateur player in the position of having to forego their amateur status and become professional, which for those who are not low handicappers really is not a decision that can be taken.
“While holes-in-one are not exactly a rarity – I think we have had two this year at Bradley – it is a good move that players can now accept prizes such as cars that have sometimes been on offer at certain events.”
The fact that amateur players would now be able to take their reward could prove a door-opener for clubs, said the Union president.
“It should raise the level of interest and that will be great for the clubs,” added Kaye.
“In terms of attracting more sponsorship, it certainly could open things up.
“The Union has 23 sponsors and many of the clubs have plenty of backing from business, but this could attract more interest with bigger prize money or prize value actually being on offer to all players should they strike lucky and get a hole-in-one.”
The new Rules of Amateur Status also include changes for elite amateur golfers aimed at easing the move from amateur to professional golf.
It follows a far-reaching four-year review of amateurism in golf, which even questioned the need for a set of rules and has resulted in the first-ever uniform worldwide code for amateur status.
Announcing the changes the R&A’s Director of Rules David Rickman said: “We felt the time was right to carry out a fundamental review of the Rules of Amateur Status.
“We were conscious that many sports had done away with amateur status rules and we felt that was an appropriate question for us to ask.
“We concluded that it is very important that golf retains its amateur regulations, mainly because of the self-regulating nature of the game both in terms of the playing rules and handicapping.
“We felt that uncontrolled financial incentives could place too much pressure on these important features.”
Excluding hole-in-one prizes from the general prize limit and allowing high-value prizes, including cash, to be awarded brings the R&A into line with the United States Golf Association.
Norway’s world No2 Suzann Pettersen, an R&A ambassador like Padraig Harrington, said: “I think this is a really good change. Anyone who makes a hole-in-one knows there is a degree of luck.
“Most professional tournaments offer hole-in-one prizes and it adds some real interest for players and fans. It is great to think that club golfers can now experience that same excitement.”
