Not to pull this too far off the road but I don't believe your way is paid to the tourney but instead you are given a partial room to stay in. I could be wrong though. I really see both sides on this one. I know for certain I would be really proud to place well in this tourney.
It's definitely a well run tourney from what I've heard so I'll give them that.
These are held in many different cities. No heavy duty travel.
Hotel is fully paid for if qualified:
Those competing in the U.S. Amateur Championship will receive 3 nights complimentary private lodging for
Thursday, Nov. 7, through and including Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019. For those players who advance to the matches on Sunday, we will also cover your lodging on Sunday, Nov. 10 in addition to the other three nights. APA will also cover an additional night of lodging for those players still competing on Sunday.
If someone can't afford $50 or $75, they're in bad shape.
The only other valid reason is fear of failure or knowing you're just not good enough to begin with, even for the qualifier.
If the Bobby Stovall who finished second this year is the same Bobby Stovall I know from the old Green Room in Atlanta, he is one helluva player. That's an indicator of how good those guys hit 'em.