The college students or the Q-school players aiming to make it among the pros are called amateurs. But with the recent US Mid-Amateur, held between September 13 and 18, things have taken a twist, which has invited complaints from golf fans online. With eight players entering the quarter-finals of the event, it is surprising that five of them are former pros who have played for decades.

Of the eight golfers trying to win the event, five are reinstated amateurs who are aiming to get their pro cards back. At the top of the list are Justin Hueber and Christian Brand, who have three victories in their professional careers. Hueber turned professional in 2009 after graduating from the University of Indianapolis. He has 87 participations on the Korn Ferry Tour and played his last event in 2021.

On the other hand, Brand turned pro in 2012 with 67 career stats and as a pro, played last in 2019. That is extensive experience as a professional compared to the amateur college golfers who are in the tournament. But there is more.

The last three on the list are Bobby Massa, a 37-year-old, Parker Edens, 35, and Brandon Holtz, 38. Having five former pros among the top-8 at the US Mid-Amateur has left the USGA under immense stress. The event, which has been held for 44 years, has served as a pathway for college golfers to become professionals; however, having a former pro as a participant raises questions.

In the past, Nathan Smith won the event four times in 2003, 2009, 2010, and 2012, despite turning pro in 2006. It now seems that there will be a new winner from the list of reinstated pros for the 2025 edition.

According to the USGA rules, a player who has played professionally in the past can apply to regain amateur status. The waiting period is 1-2 years or longer. However, once approved and reinstated, the former pros will be treated as lifelong amateurs. In fact, there are two more criteria, which are that the age must be 25 or over and the USGA handicap index must be 3.4 or better. Well, now with the US Mid-Amateur invite, along with the trophy at stake, the golf world has joined to share the thoughts against the rule after reinstated amateurs dominated the other quarter-finalists.

Golf fans have let their disagreement with the USGA be known online

Opposing the current situation, golf fans have joined together to voice out the same complaint against the USGA for having reinstated amateurs in the event.

A fan criticizing the headline wrote, “@USGA, if this headline doesn’t set some alarms off, you have lost the plot. Several of the quarterfinalists are former professional golfers who played for almost a decade. This is unacceptable and shameful for a so-called “shepherd” of the game. Pls fix.” The headline, having five former professionals in the top-8 for the event, has rekindled the criticism for the USGA. But for the USGA, there is no difference between amateurs and reinstated amateurs.

More netizens joined in writing, with comments like: “Once you turn pro, you shouldn’t be able to regain your amateur status,” and “The ability for one to ‘regain’ amateur status after previously declaring they were a professional just doesn’t sit right with me.” Well, practically it might sound off, but according to the rules of the USGA, it can be followed with specific criteria to fulfill. Players must follow the waiting period, age, and handicap rating requirements to be reinstated as amateurs.

Another wrote, “Stop playing on tour, but still want to play competitively? Go find some state opens or mini tour events.” The fan questioned the approach of former professionals who stopped playing in professional events but joined the roster for amateur events. Parker Edens, among the reinstated amateurs, is the youngest at 35 years of age. He played his last event in 2015 but has been a coach since 2018. The amount of experience he carries as compared to the college amateurs is a difference of day and night, which can never be matched. And that’s what is calling for criticism from fans.

More fans joined in writing, “This is so embarrassing for everyone involved,” and “Let’s just rename it the Reinstated Am Championship @USGA.” The US Mid-Amateur started in 1981, intended to offer post-college golfers the opportunity to pursue a professional career as a golfer. But now, that has changed to a former pro golfer trying again to become a pro. Even with that approach, fans suggest the event be renamed. 

With all the criticism of former pros having an advantage, it has left the golf world in a state of anger. Do you support the rule of the USGA to allow reinstated amateurs? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.