Could Somebody Please Define "Bona-fide".....

Kudos to Michelle Wie for making it to the 64 man (ahem… “64 person”) finals of the US Amatuer Publinx championships to be held in mid-July. She shot a one-over par 36 hole total of 145 on the Cedarbrook Golf Course in Belle Vernon, PA. Wie matched Artie Fink Jr. of Altoona.

Couple of things. First off, I give her full credit for this accomplishment. Just making the 64-player final “grid” is pretty epic. Last year she missed, so obviously, that’s progress. Now, let’s see how she does in the match play portion against some damn good college aged young studs. Remember, last year Ryan Moore won this event, and he’s already made the Masters and finished as low-amatuer.

Secondly, could there be a better nerd-like name than “Artie Fink Jr.” of Altoona, PA? God what I wouldn’t give to see a photo of ol’ Artie. And what about Artie Fink Sr? He must be a nerdy looking dad with thick black glasses and a pocket protector. Has to be.

Finally, there’s a larger beef I have with the USGA in regard to their “restrictions” for those who can be considered “Public Links” players. The rules state that the tournament is open to amateurs who are “bona-fide” public course players who have “not held privileges at any course which does not extend playing privileges to the general public.”

The rules also make an exception for college golfers who might have a private “home” course for the team, as well as a slew of “other exemptions” and “interpretations of eligibility.” My beef (and this goes way back even before Wie) is that if you are going to have a US Amatuer and a US Public Links as separate events, then the Publinx needs to be FAR more restrictive toward the average Jimmy-weekend player.

That means D-I college golfers don’t belong in the event, because they CERTAINLY receive “privileges” above and beyond the normal “bona fide public links player” - not to mention coaching and all kinds of other perks.

And in the case of Wie, sheesh. She’s essentially an LPGA Tour player!!! Talk about “priviledge!” But hey, I’m SURE that Wie’s “home” course in Hawaii where she “keeps her handicap” is just a humble little muni where you put your ball in the rack on the first tee for a tee-time.

Bottom line: if this is the supposed to be the “people’s tournament” then college players, quasi-tour pros, and the like need to be weeded out. There are plenty of competitive events for those players already.