Youth golf

With the new addition of the Drive, Chip, and Putt Championships, youth golf has been on the rise. PGA Junior League Golf has expanded from 1,500 youth participants in 2012 to 8,900 in 2013, a 490% increase. In 2014, participation doubled (18,000 kids).  Youth golf has started to slowly but surely increase in participation which I believe is because of younger guys winning on tour like Jordan Spieth and Rory Mcilrory.  Young kids see these players win and that makes them want to be like them or do what they did.    Even though there are people who say that the pace of play and the level of difficulty of the sport is pushing people away, younger kids are playing more and more even though the increase isn't a large number.  The DCP Championships are also a big help for youth golf. They have created a format that has three types of shots the players must hit making the game sorter and easier.  These players can with tournaments that will give them the opportunity to play at Augusta National where the Masters is held every year.  This gives young players a taste of what kind of courses the pros play at and gives them a different experience of the game of golf.  The popularity of PGA Junior League Golf has skyrocketed over the past year, as a record 8,000 boys and girls nationwide have registered for the 2013 season, representing an approximate 345 percent increase in participants. As a result, more than 700 teams across 33 states will be filled nationwide—a five-fold rise in PGA Junior League Golf teams over last year.

Reform in NCAA

There are no need for reform with the NCAA and sports.  Players should not receive money for anything, and the thought that these players think they should receive money is ridiculous.  People think that they should be paid because this might be categorized as "labor", and this thought is just stupid.  Playing a sport is no where near labor, we watch sports for entertainment for a reason.  You don't see us watching construction works on the TV because that is actual labor.  A sport is nothing like anyother job, it's a game.  It's a form of entertainment for the both the viewer and the player.  I do believe though that student atheletes shouldnt pay for anything, thing like food, housing, and other necessities.  But other then that I don't not think college atheletes should e paid.  Think about it, if you give a 18,19,20 year old kid money for playing their sport, you don't know what they could do with that money.  And the more money they receive the more they become unpredictable.  NCAA should not pay their atheletes money since these atheletes are amateurs in their sport.

Amateur Golfers

An Amateur golfer is define as, "one who plays golf for the challenge  it presents, not as a professional or for financial gain."  Rule 3 of the Rules of Amateur Status prohibits an amateur golfer from accepting prize money.  Those who choose to take the money forfeit his/her amateur status.  That's why you never see college players take any prize money.  They can play in tournaments where prize money is available but they have to waive their right to take the money so they don't get in trouble with both the NCAA and the USGA.  That's why you see some college players in some Major tournaments with an (a), next to their name to let everyone know they are an amateur.  There was a story back in 2011 where a Freshman in high school won a charity putting contest for $5,000 and did not accept the money.  And people might be thinking this kid is crazy but he did this so he wouldn't mess up his amateur status.  He refused the money and still kept his amateur status.
I believe this is how all sports should be played.  Golf does a very good job distinguishing between amateurs and professionals.  It's simple once you accept any form of money for play golf, you are a professional not an amateur.  Although amateurs in golf who are playing in tour events, may receive finical aid for the expenses for that tournament like transportation, food, housing, etc. 
The Rules also allow an amateur golfer to receive financial support directly from anyone for an individual competition where the expenses are $300 or less.  Once the amount exceeds $300 dollars, he/she may still receive finical support from sources other than family members but it has to be approved by and paid through the golfer’s state or local golf association.  But amateurs may not under any circumstances receive money for playing golf.  I believe these rules are fair and do a good job with separating the amateurs and professionals.







http://www.usga.org/rules/amateur_status/amateur-status/




http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/golf/teen-golfer-garrett-sauls-wins-putting-contest-turns-down-5000-prize-to-avoid-risking-amateur-status/2011/06/01/AGD2WXWH_story.html