The USGA Betting Debate – The USGA Made the Right Call

July 22, 2009

Read the debate intro, Sports Geek’s argument that the USGA was justified in its revoking of Dusty Schmidt’s amateur status, and Bleacher Fan’s argument that the USGA was wrong.



Hope you loyal readers enjoyed this debate. From time to time, The Sports Debates will shed light on a situation that while interesting is off the mainstream radar, and this is one of those situations. We feel it is our duty to cover a wide variety of topics, and we hope you enjoy reading the debates as much as we enjoy researching them and arguing the sides.

Both sides presented very strong cases, because let’s face it – this REALLY is one of those situations where you can see both sides very clearly. That’s why I think this is one of the better debates we have had. Now, on to the verdict!

Bleacher Fan argued that the USGA dropped the (golf) ball on this one and took the punishment too far, citing references to John Daly and skins competition, which I did not consider as “gambling” until Bleacher Fan presented it in a new light. Point well taken.

Sports Geek argued that Dusty Schmidt violated his amateur status be presenting “The Challenge.” To Sports Geek’s credit, it is possible to show empathy toward Schmidt, too… I think we can all agree with that. By all accounts, it appears that Schmidt was on the fast track to having a successful professional golf career before suffering a heart attack.

After reviewing this case I have decided to give Sports Geek a birdie, and the victory!!!!!

Bleacher Fan, I give you a par. You definitely didn’t bogey this debate. You kept it in the fairway. But, rules exist for a reason.

Sports Geek brought up an interesting point about betting in other sports, both in professional sports and on the amateur level. It’s well documented that Pete Rose was banned from baseball for betting on the game. The shenanigans of Rick Neuheisel, as brought up by Sports Geek, are also well-documented. But the word “gamble” and “sport” is a black eye for any particular sport. The fact that gambling can potentially be tied to a particular sport is extremely damaging to that sport’s credibility, especially a sport like golf. The fact that Schmidt was an amateur is just as bad. “Amateurs” do not bet on sports. Even though his intentions seemed good, it was not a good idea. Even though it’s tough to do in golf, placing any type of bet just reeks of “fixing” that particular event.

Bleacher Fan makes light of the golf’s manner, but golf really is a gentleman’s game. Golfers pride themselves on credibility and honesty. What other sport has the athlete call a penalty on himself? This happens quite a bit on the PGA tour. Gambling, in any sense of the word, takes away that credibility.

I’m not necessarily a big fan of the USGA, but they made the right call on this one.

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Posted by Loyal Homer

The USGA Betting Debate – A Little Blustering Never Hurt Anyone!

July 21, 2009

Read the debate intro and Sports Geek’s argument that the USGA was justified in their decision.



(editor’s note: Bleacher Fan is on vacation. Sort of.)

Greetings from the deck of the S.S. Badger! If you ever get a chance, take a ride across Lake Michigan on one of the famous “carferries” – you will not be disappointed!

However, after a trying journey to my vacation destination I’m a little tired and crabby. So, I feel like I’m in just the right mood to tell the USGA what I think about their decision to revoke Dusty Schmidt’s amateur status. IT STINKS!

Schmidt, who had recently returned to the game of golf after recuperating from a heart-attack five years earlier, decided to issue a “Million Dollar Challenge.” You see, Schmidt was also a professional poker player, and he saw an opportunity to combine the things he enjoyed – golf, poker, and competing for money – and offered $1M to any person who could beat him both at 72 holes of golf AND several hands of heads-up poker.

Well, nobody took him up on his offer, so the challenge went dormant, or so Schmidt thought. Apparently, the USGA felt that his challenge, which never materialized and is therefore nothing more than idle conversation, was “in violation of the spirit of the game.”

So the question I have for the USGA is… “What about his actions was so wrong?”

Was it that he made a public offer looking for competition in a proposition game? I’ve got news for the USGA – that’s what a Skins competition is. When two people play the same hole, and the person with the best score wins prize money, THAT’S proposition golfing. So it’s okay for a professional to play a proposition game when the prizes are funded by sponsors, but an amateur is not allowed to put up his OWN money in a proposition game? That doesn’t seem fair to me!

Was it the fact that Schmidt brought the “seedy” element of gambling into this fine, upstanding gentleman’s game, besmirching the good image of this noblest of sports? Before I hear an answer to that question, let me be clear on something – John Daly, a PROFESSIONAL golfer, can publicly admit to drinking, gambling, and drug addictions. He can be charged with domestic violence, can physically assault fans of the sport – DURING PLAY, no less – and be charged with public intoxication… and he only receives a six month suspension from the PGA. But, an amateur who does nothing more than offer a prize to anyone who can beat him at both golf AND poker is acting inappropriately and should have his status revoked?! Where’s the consistency?!

I understand that the USGA and the PGA are two different organizations, but they represent the same game, and so fans will naturally associate the two as a single body. If the interest of the USGA is to protect the image of the game of golf, they are going about it the wrong way. Especially when you consider the fact that friendly wagers in private golf games happen every day!

Instead, the USGA should partner with the PGA to identify what type of behavior is REALLY unbecoming of a golfer – such as committing a crime – and let the guys who just want to have some fun playing the game they love have their fun.

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Posted by Bleacher Fan

The USGA Betting Debate – Pro Golf Gambling Is No Joke, You Can Bet On It

July 21, 2009

Read the debate intro and Bleacher Fan’s argument that the USGA has overstepped and was not correct in suspending Dusty Schmidt’s amateur status.



“Hey Dusty, would you like some ketchup with your foot?” Amateur professional golfer Dusty Schmidt made a big mistake, placing his foot squarely inside his mouth, when he wagered $1M that no person would be able to beat him in 72 holes of golf and then in poker. The USGA jammed that foot farther down Schmidt’s throat by denying him amateur status, making it impossible for him to play sanctioned golf under their banner. The USGA made the right decision, and Schmidt’s proposed wager was out of line.

Some believe the reason the USGA has given for not allowing Schmidt the amateur status necessary for playing professional golf in the Pacific Northwest is a bit shaky. However, the USGA says Schmidt’s wager violates the spirit of the amateur game – and they’re right. A professional sports organization can in no way be associated with gambling or betting (other “amateur” sports like college football and basketball can’t either – just ask Rick Neuheisel). Any association between gambling and a sport’s sanctioning body opens the door for fans to call every decision made by that body into question under the guise of “gambling” and who is “really benefiting” from a particular decision.

It is easy to feel empathy for Schmidt. Once an up and coming golf prospect, he suffered a heart-attack that was through to be career ending. As a result, he took up online poker (must still have a pretty good heart!) to make money and became quite good at it. However, five years after doctors told him his golf playing days were over, he was cleared to resume golf. Instead of putting his head down and doing his best to work his way up to the PGA Tour with the desire to become a great golfer, he chose to make a mockery of a gentleman’s game by placing a needless bet on his two best skills – golf and poker.

Schmidt was once a bonafide prospect within the golf world and has spent enough time around sanctioned golf to gain an understanding of the written and unwritten rules that govern the game. It is skill and etiquette getting equal importance and the USGA is taking strong, legitimate action to ensure their game remains ruled equally by both.

Schmidt fought the USGA’s decision in court, claiming that since no person stepped forward to take him up on his bet, his bet was never official, and therefore should not warrant a removal of amateur status. This is faulty logic. If I offer Bleacher Fan one million dollars, and he declines, the offer was still valid. Schmidt does not have a leg to stand on, and even a Federal judge agreed.

It is within the right of the USGA to make an example of a player who is lacks polish and professionalism. Golf is a game equally reliant on etiquette and skill. To receive endorsements and unquestioned backing from the USGA, and pave the way to give up amateur status in favor of professional status, a player must have both.

As soon as any type of gambling is associated with a sport, it is a public relations distraction and a constant albatross around the sport’s neck. Relaxed standards create opportunities for massive rules violations, and can trigger the beginning of the end of respect – and legitimate cash flow – for a major sport. By taking the action of disallowing Schmidt from attaining an amateur status, the USGA has succeeded in making the issue about Schmidt and his conduct, which is deemed inconsistent with the principles and spirit of sanctioned golf. Though the status is “amateur” it is still professional golf, and the players are expected to comport themselves accordingly or be held accountable by the USGA.

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Posted by Sports Geek

The USGA Betting Debate – Fair or Unfair… That Is The Question!

July 21, 2009

Read Sports Geek’s argument that the USGA is justified in removing Dusty Schmidt’s amateur status and Bleacher Fan’s argument that they are not.



As I was sitting down preparing to write the intro for this debate, I got to thinking – in today’s world, what are the two things that men like to do the most? I compiled a list that included working out, fishing, hunting, and going to “ball” games (Loyal Homer’s personal favorite). But, at the top of the list has to be playing golf and playing poker. You can ride out to the local country club pretty much every weekend and there are people on the tee at the crack of dawn. There are many nights where a group of guys are sitting around the card table shooting the breeze and playing poker. At least that’s how it is where I’m from.

That leads into our debate on a topic that you may have missed, but The Sports Debates did not miss it.

Let me tell you about Dusty Schmidt. He was promising golfer from California who turned professional several years ago. Unfortunately, at the young age of 23, he suffered a heart attack ruining his chances at sustaining a prosperous golf career. While recovering from the heart attack, he became fascinated with online poker (which is a growing hobby on its own) and eventually became a professional poker player.

Then, a miracle happened and Schmidt was medically cleared to play golf again. He was granted amateur status by the United States Golf Association, which allowed him to compete in sanctioned events in the Northwest.

Combining his golf and poker skills, Schmidt issued a “Million Dollar Challenge.” The challenge was to anyone who could beat him at 72 holes of golf and at several hands of poker. No one took him up on the challenge so case closed, right?

WRONG!

The USGA caught wind of this and revoked his amateur status, claiming the “challenge” violated amateur rules. Schmidt filed a complaint with the district court, but his request was denied.

Is the USGA justified in revoking the amateur status of Dusty Schmidt?

Sports Geek will argue that the USGA is within their right to remove Schmidt’s amateur status, while Bleacher Fan will argue that the USGA has overstepped and placed too harsh a punishment on Schmdit.

Get your drivers guys! Your tee time is up!

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Posted by Loyal Homer

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