"Mr. Schmidt cannot unring the bell no matter how hard he tries"

AP's Anne M. Peterson analyzes the case of Dusty Schmidt, who is suing the USGA over having his amateur status revoked after his $1 million challenge to someone who would beat him at 72 holes of golf and at poker. Schmidt has filed a complaint seeking a temporary restraining order that would allow him to keep his amateur status, with a hearing slated for Monday.

The USGA informed Schmidt he could apply to have his status reinstated, but he says that the process wasn't timely enough because of the registration fees he'd already paid to compete in events over the summer.

The crux of Schmidt's argument is that no one took him up on the challenge, so it is moot.

A spokesman for the USGA said the organization does not comment on current or pending litigation.

In court documents, the USGA maintains that Schmidt's challenge was violated a rule aimed at actions "detrimental to the best interests of the amateur game," and another related to gambling and the spirit of the rules.

"Having promoted his prize money golf/poker contest for two months and having obtained tremendous publicity for himself, his entrepreneurial Web site and his prize money scheme, Mr. Schmidt cannot unring the bell no matter how hard he tries," the USGA said in court documents.

Now a few years ago I would have understood the USGA's claims. But when you have college players receiving free clothes, clubs and Lord knows what else, all while retaining their amateur status, do they really have a leg to stand on at this point? I'm sure you'll tell me why Schmidt's case is different.