One might last week, there were 1991 golf items for sale on Trade Me. I know because I was looking to see how an auction was going for a golf bag I won in a tournament. It wasn't going very well. Despite being brand new, valued at more than $100
and with a very low reserve, it hadn't attracted (sigh) even one bid by Wednesday.
But that's hardly surprising. Trade Me had 101 listings for golf bags last week and many looked suspiciously like those presented as prizes at Muriwai last Sunday.
It makes you wonder why golf equipment is used as a prize when most of it's going to be sold or given away. Unfortunately, those who run officially-sanctioned club and provincial association events have to abide by the nonsense that is golf's Rules of Amateur Status.
Rule 3-1 says "an amateur golfer must not play golf for prize money". That's pretty unequivocal. But then Rule 3-2c says "an amateur golfer must not exchange a prize for cash". What does that really mean?
Must not exchange the prize with whom? Probably with tournament organisers but can anyone tell me the difference between selling your newly-won putter or golf bag back to the club pro shop which supplied it and doing a deal on Trade Me?
The Rules of Amateur Status belong in an age when a 3-wood really was made of wood.
The section of Rule 1 which purports to explain why golf should be the only sport continuing to maintain a barrier between amateur and professional players is quite breathtaking in its arrogance.
The distinction is to "keep the amateur game as free as possible from the abuses which may follow from uncontrolled sponsorship and financial incentive". Blimey.
Surely the time has come for golf to get real about what can and can't be won at a tournament. Golfers who win prizes regularly, and I stress I am not one of them, don't need another putter or golf bag or TV or microwave as the reward for their skill. They'd just prefer the money.
The hypocrisy which exists in amateur golf rewards is breathtaking. Many tournaments offer either credit at their pro shop or vouchers for a variety of retail outlets. Now can anybody tell me the difference between paying for your petrol or groceries with a $200 voucher or paying in cash? And guess what - if you buy a $2 chocolate bar with a $20 MTA voucher, you'll get $18 change in cash.
By all means keep a limit on the value of the prize - in New Zealand, it's $1500. But to maintain the rule on cash prizes is an anachronism.
Sadly the blazered ones at St Andrews will not be changing their ways any time soon. I'll just have to keep trying on Trade Me.
One might last week, there were 1991 golf items for sale on Trade Me. I know because I was looking to see how an auction was going for a golf bag I won in a tournament. It wasn't going very well. Despite being brand new, valued at more than $100
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