When an Amateur Wins, the Pros Behind Him Cash the Bigger Check

Cody Massa did something last week that hadn't been done in Arizona in more than four decades. The amateur from Cave Creek — a two-time Arizona Mid-Amateur champion who, weeks earlier, had been two match-play wins from a USGA title alongside his brother Bobby — won the 83rd Arizona Open Championship at Papago Golf Club. He is the first amateur to win the state open in 42 years.

For his trouble, Massa received a trophy, a 10-year exemption, and a $1,000 gift certificate redeemable at the Papago pro shop. The roughly $25,000 that goes to the champion of the Arizona Open? He never had a claim to it. Under the amateur status rules that govern the game, he couldn't accept a cent of the cash — and that single fact set off the quiet financial chain reaction that is the real story of the week.