New R&A rules ‘will end cloak and dagger’ dealings with amateurs

CHANGES to the rules aimed at amateur golfers thinking of a professional career have been warmly welcomed, with one agent claiming they will eradicate “cloak and dagger” dealings behind the back of the game’s ruling bodies.

Under the New Rules of Golf 2012-15, published yesterday by the R&A and the USGA, players aged 18 or over will now be able to enter into an agreement with an agent or sponsor 12 months ahead of turning professional as long as they do not receive any financial gain while still an amateur.

Rules have also been relaxed on subsistence payments paid through national golf unions, easing the financial burden on promising young amateurs as they weigh up the right time to make the switch to the professional ranks.

Commenting on the changes, David Rickman, the R&A’s Director of Rules and Equipment Standards, explained: “The rules on contracts now reflect the modern game and adopt a much more realistic and common sense approach.

“Similarly, the rules on subsistence expenses should help the support of deserving talent wherever it may emerge across the golfing world.”

The change regarding subsistence payments has been welcomed by Tom Lewis, winner of just his third professional event in Portugal a week past Sunday, only three months after being leading amateur at the Open Championship at Royal St George’s.

“It is an important change because some players are forced into turning professional early just because of financial difficulties,” said the Englishman, a member of the winning Great Britain & Ireland side in the Walker Cup at Royal Aberdeen in September. “It will make a real difference as they will now be able to turn professional for all the right reasons and also at the right time for them.

“It is probably the most important decision they will make in their career. All the experience I gained as amateur has helped prepare me for life as a professional and I am pleased that I made the decision to play in the Walker Cup before joining the professional ranks.”

The overall aim of the changes is to give players “broader support” at an important phase in their development.

“Tom is the most recent illustration of someone who would have benefited from the changes to the Rules of Amateur Status,” added Rickman in the latest edition of Global Golf Post. “Yes, they are too late for him but the next Tom will be able to enjoy a more orderly progression from the amateur game to the professional game. It is time the regulations helped with the process.”

Iain Stoddart, of Edinburgh-based Bounce Sports Marketing, manages European Tour player David Drysdale and was also the driving force behind the setting up of Team Scottish Hydro, which has been providing support for five Scottish players on the Challenge Tour this year. He said: “These changes beat what we have at the moment. The ruling bodies know that agents are speaking to players anyway, so it will cut out the cloak and dagger stuff.

“At the moment, everything is a mad rush once a player decides to turn professional but this will allow agents to educate players about what lies ahead. They won’t necessarily have to sign up 12 months in advance. It will also be about spending time with the players, so it can only be helpful.”