Martin Dempster article sparks debate on Scots talent wasted

E-mail from Kenny Hutton,

Downfield Golf Club professional

Hi Colin
Just read Martin Dempster's piece on Scottish talent wasted (scroll down to read it). Very good article and quite true. Maybe I could add my thoughts as I feel that all the guys mentioned have tried their very best and just didn't quite make it for one reason or another, and many are well known to me personally.
Can you blame the likes of Steven Young etc for not returning to this climate!!! It's actually our biggest problem in my view. The likes of Steven stayed in a much more competitive place (USA) but again with little or no financial backing. Therefore, he tries his best living from hand to mouth for a few months, runs out of cash, has to get a job, then his golf suffers and he stops being able to even live from golf.
Kevin McAlpine is a friend of mine and a huge talent who wins amateur tournaments in this country regularly. He is now working full time (outside the golf industry) trying to fund himself and is still trying to fit in Tour School.


How many guys have a chance to get their tour cards while taking holidays from full time employment outside golf! Only some of the Scottish players would even try that and that's because they do want it very badly.


The Government are trying to look good by ploughing money into getting all Primary 5's hitting a golf ball and at least they are trying now. However, if they spent the same money trying to help the naturally gifted golfers get to the next level, then TV's of the future would maybe be showing more Scottish golfers winning trophies. Then kids will want to play golf, they will not have to be made to.
Here is an example of how this way can and does work.
Why is Jamaica producing wave after wave of sprinters? Coincidence? No. It's an easy answer. The kids see success on TV and in the Press and they want to emulate it. Then the naturally gifted get financial and coaching help to succeed by the Jamaican government and sports authorities. It's a cycle that will continue so long as they keep getting the right kind of help. Everyone wins.
Just my brief thoughts on a great subject.
Yours
Kenny Hutton


Downfield Golf Club.

P.S. Website is getting better and better. Well done to all.