I. Decisions from USGA Staff and Requests for Advisory Opinions
USGA staff may issue decisions of its own accord, or, upon request, issue advisory opinions with respect to issues or conduct that may affect a person’s amateur status. Requests or questions should be sent by email to the USGA Amateur Status department at amstat@usga.org. The USGA staff may provide a response at its sole discretion.
II. Appeal of a Staff Decision
Any person whose amateur status has or may be affected by a staff decision or advisory opinion may appeal to the USGA Amateur Status Committee (“Committee”). A written request for an appeal, along with any relevant supporting materials, must be submitted to the USGA Amateur Status department at amstat@usga.org within 30 days after being notified of the staff’s decision or advisory opinion. The staff will provide the Committee with all information and materials provided by the appellant, together with the staff's findings and recommendation. The Committee will issue a decision on the matter within a reasonable period of time after receipt of all materials.
III. Appeal of an Amateur Status Committee Decision
Any person whose amateur status has or may be affected by a Committee decision may appeal to the USGA Executive Committee. A written request for an appeal must be submitted to the USGA Amateur Status department at amstat@usga.org no later than 30 days after notice of the Committee’s decision. The appellant will have 30 days after he or she requests an appeal to submit any relevant materials in support of the appeal. The USGA staff will provide the Executive Committee with all information and materials provided by the appellant, together with staff's findings and recommendation (if applicable) and the Committee’s findings and decision. The Executive Committee will issue a decision on the matter within a reasonable period of time after review of the appeal. The decision of the Executive Committee is final and not subject to any further appeal.
IV. General
In all circumstances, including appeals, the staff, the Committee and the Executive Committee may continue to investigate the facts and circumstances of the matter while the appeal is pending and/or after the issuance of a decision , and may base their decision on any facts or matters they deem relevant. The Committee and/or the Executive Committee may alter or reverse their decision if they subsequently determine that statements made by the appellant in support of the appeal were inaccurate or misleading or that the decision was otherwise based on an understanding of the facts and circumstances that was incorrect.