Definition of a PRO

Wags · 2011-04-20T16:49:10+00:00

Many years ago I remember that the definition for a pro was anyone that entered a tournament with a $300 entry and received $300 or more in winnings. It was a nice easy difinitive statement that was easily applied. Nowdays, that line is somewhat blurred. Pro lists are put out by amateur organizations saying who can and can't play. The BCAPL has a Grand Master designation which equals "pro". The APA calls itsel the world largest amateur organization and I can't find anything that disallows a "pro". The ACS has some strict ranking guidelines, but what do those rankings mean? How are those rankings based? Is Jesse Bowman really an amateur or a pro? Beau Runningen is listed as a Master in 2 organizations but when you are ranked #41 on the BCA ranking list, is that correct? Is Chris Bartram an amateur or a pro? SVB just took a 7th and a 4th in the Black Bear tournament. Does that mean that those above him are pro's or at least pro caliber? Is there a difference? I see tournaments all the time that are divided by "Open" and "A", or advertised by "no pro's allowed". What does that mean? It would be nice if we could all at least play by the same rules by defining what makes a professional player, a professional player. At the same time, why does anyone want to be a "pro" anymore?