Disappointing news re Canadian Amateur

[Jeff_Mingay]

The Royal Canadian Golf Association has decided to contest the Canadian Amateur championship at stroke-play, over 72 holes this year. This is disappointing news. As we know, Amateur championship tradition is match-play. Even my home club contests its club championship at match-play. And, the 2008 Canadian Amateur is going to be decided through stroke-play?! I don't get it.

Much like the US Am, the Canadian Am was originally a match-play event (of course), but from 1968 (or '69?) through 1992, it was (mistakenly) played as a stroke-play event. Someone with some sense realized the stupidity of this format for Amateur championship play, and reverted the Canadian Am back to match-play. Now it's going back to stroke-play, again?!

Someone please explain the logic.

[Paul Stephenson]

I guess when they changed the Mid-Am format a year ago you hoped they wouldn't do the same to the Amateur.

Would cost have anything to do with it?

[Jeff_Mingay]

Paul,

I can't imagine cost has anything to do with it; though I could be wrong.

At his blog, at www.scoregolf.com, Bob Weeks infers it may "take less time to play the event, more players competing for four days thereby gaining more experience, etc."

He goes on to agree with me though, bluntly stating "it cheapens the event".

[Pete_Pittock]

 I read that one reason was to have the same format for all their events, and that this wouold help in player development. That is an argueable point as it dilutes the importance of the event in some eyes.
 In the same article it points out that the Canadian Amateur is played the week before the US Amateur and that the change to a four day format would allow players to schedule both, and you would get a better field in Lethbridge with some more international players. This makes a lot better sense.
 From a course standpoint it would make more sense to host because you tie up the course for fewer days and have more chance of a gallery after the second day.
 Bottom line is that you have a new breed of leadership in the RCGA. They went to stroke play for 25 years and returned to match play on the 100th anniversary. Now tradition doesn't mean as much, its just a business decision.
 

[Jeff_Mingay]

Pete,

Interesting re the Canadian Am's relationship with the US Amateur. Though, it's frustrating to see another Canadian event subservient to its US cousin; despite the fact I realize the reality of the situation, as you describe it. However, is the Canadian Am really a better event if international US Am participants make the trek to Lethbridge?

When tradition is pushed aside, the potential for trouble is magnified. 

[Tyler Kearns]

Jeff,

That is disappointing, and odd. Two years ago, they reduced the age requirement for the Mid-Am from 40 to 25. I took advantage of the situation and played in the Cdn. Mid-Am last year, and most over-40 players were not in favour of the change. I believe the RCGA justified the move by trying to stay apace with the age requirements in the US. Now, they alter the Amateur format, creating a difference between how each country conducts it's national championship. To each is own, but let's be consistent.

TK

[Norbert P]

 The displacement of Match Play at that highest level is anti cool.  If it goes away there, where's next?  Will Match Play become a quaint anachronism like the stymie? 

  How about we send in the Hansen Brothers (Go! CHIEFS!) to straighten out these fellers that made this boondoggle!?

[Pete_Pittock]

Jeff,
  Probably not. Now if The Masters invites the champion it is a different story. The only good thing about the announcement was they said it was a permanent change, for now. Are they expecting backlash?
  I disagree with their premise that all their events should have the same format. Everything just becomes another tournament. They seem to be saying that the best education of a golfer is rote memorization, no golfer left behind, take a standardized test and skip the essay question.

[Michael Powers]

It's probably easier to get a sight because a stroke play would take fewer days if the format was 36 holes of Q followed by match play.

[Will MacEwen]

Any chance this is part of Zokol's input?

[Jeff_Mingay]

Will,

It's not part of Zokol's input (I spoke with him today). But, he does agree with the decision.

As friends, we've agreed to disagree 

[Mike_Clayton]

Jeff,

Disappointing. The best memories of the Australian Amateur are of the great matches.
Its more likely the best player wins at stroke play but match play is so much more fun for spectators and its much harder to win at match play because 18 hole matches are so fickle.

Our Amateur has a fantastic format now.
The men play 72 holes stroke with 32 to qualify.
The women play 36 holes at a different venue with 32 qualifiers.
All matches are then played at the men's qualifying course.


This year they play Royal Adelaide and The Grange.

[Rich Goodale]

Mike

That's a great idea from down under!

Why can't the pros do the same (tour by tour and maybe even a "WGC" type event)?  Flat Bellies, Seniors and Women--qualifying individually and then all the survivors getting together for the last 3 days in their match-play divisions.  I'd pay to watch those tournaments.

Rich

[Sean_A]

Mike

That's a great idea from down under!

Why can't the pros do the same (tour by tour and maybe even a "WGC" type event)?  Flat Bellies, Seniors and Women--qualifying individually and then all the survivors getting together for the last 3 days in their match-play divisions.  I'd pay to watch those tournaments.

Rich

Rich

I have been waiting for the powers that be in golf gets sensible and at least try an event you describe, sort of the Wimbledon of golf.  I spose they are too busy deciding what will be the next course in AZ to use. 

Ciao

[Wayne_Kozun]

It would make sense if they even did this with the WGC Match Play event.  That way when Tiger wins it 19&17 they will still have something to televise.