THE NORTH-EAST ALLIANCE DEBATE

From Iain Taylor, Stonehaven

I think some of the reasons why pros are nOt playing in the North-east Alliance might be the fact its still the summer season and they're still busy with big tournaments or still busy with lessons and looking after the pro shops.
Maybe once it gets into the winter season a lot more pros will play in the North-east Alliance competitions, maybe not quite as many there used to be but maybe into the double figures. Another reason for their absence could be the recession, as Colin Nelson pointed out, with the entry fee, petrol money, food etc all adding up if a pro is playing weekly.
What might be a good idea is to ask the pros that don't play or don't play regularly why they aren't playing etc.
I think slow play has a big say in it as well. Nobody likes playing 4-5 hour rounds and end up getting nothing out of it but let's hear from the stay-away pros.

Iain Taylor