Appearance Fees at US Tour stops

[FLOG4]

There's lots of discussion regarding Euro events and appearance fees.  What most don't realize is that fees are paid to many players at many US Tournaments.  While it is illegal to pay appearance fees many tour stops contract out for service dates with players they want to show up.  These are one off arrangements but still execute the gameplan that is desired.

The most innovative way that a player has been certified was coordinated by the Deutsch Bank.  I believe the first call made by them was to Tiger.  He advised he'd show up and play if the charity proceeds went to Tiger Woods Foundation.  Wala Tiger appears every year at The Deutsch. Gotta say that was a great maneuver by them. The event got instant credibility and has had a good run.

So what do you think about the end around utilized by the US Tour stops?

[iacas]

Originally Posted by FLOG4

So what do you think about the end around utilized by the US Tour stops?

I really couldn't care less. I'm not really opposed to appearance fees, period. Winners get appearance fees, and if you start to get comfortable as a PGA Tour pro with appearance fees (of any variety) and don't play hard, you'll soon not be getting those appearance fees.