SGU STOP ALLYN DICK FUNDING - "TOO OLD AT 33!"

            ALLYN DICK, in the prime of his golfing life. Image by Cal Carson Golf Agency.

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Colin@scottishgolfview.com
Too old at 33, that's what Allyn Dick (Kingsknowe), one of Scotland's most successful amateur golfers over the past decade, has been told by the Scottish Golf Union as the reason for his financial support being axed for 2012.
The Lothians player, who has a handicap of +2, played for Scotland in the 2010 Home Internationals but was not selected last year.
That hurt Dick's pride and now comes a body blow of a material kind.
“I’ve lost my sportscotland funding, having been told I’m too old at 33,” revealed Dick.
In the weekend Craigmillark Open, the first of the SGU's 72-hole Order of Merit circuit, he shared the halfway lead at the head of a quality field of Scotland's best amateurs, before finishing a close third behind Glenbervie’s Graeme Robertson and Craig Watson (East Renfrewshire) with an 11-under-par 72-hole total.
“I’m not a full-time amateur. I have a child to think about now. I was told that someone, I won’t reveal who, wanted to work with younger players.”
Dick, the 2010 Lothians champion, received £1,500 from sportscotland last year to help with his tournament expenses.
As a result, he has not entered the Lytham Trophy, the first big international-class amateur tournament of the season, down in Lancashire next month.
“I received a condescending letter from [SGU performance manager] Steve Paulding saying that my performances last year hadn’t been up to scratch,” he added.
Dick, in fact, won an SGU Order of Merit event last year - the Newlands Trophy the second year in a row he had won at the Lanark Golf Club venue.
He also won the Scottish mid-amateur championship two years in a row, 2005-2006.

COMMENT E-MAIL FROM STAN DREWS

I think Allyn has made a big mistake going public on this issue
I understand he gets help from Kingsknowe with his expenses - he certainly used to
What about all the SGU and club vouchers these top players win in a season?
What do they do with them? Most of them get free or discounted gear from the likes of Taylormade and the other golf equipment companies too
I'm sure they have arrangements with their local pro or A N Other to cash them in !
Not to mention the money, Mr Dick has won in the East of Scotland Alliance this winter - must be at least £500
Not that long ago the top amateurs received very little and then it was mis directed - I know of a player whose father was a top city lawyer receiving more than a guy who was a self employed brickie !
Allyn, let your clubs do the talking and manage your vouchers better !
Stan Drews