I am sure every Alliance member dislikes slow play. This is a frustrating aspect of modern golf at all levels, pro and amateur, but I don't see pros avoiding competitions because of it. 
I suspect the main reason for pros, and some amateurs, deciding to miss the foursomes at Murcar Links was the host club's insistence that all matches should be played off mats (fairways and semi-rough ) even when this did not apply to Murcar Links members. No other links course is using mats 
I agree that in a perfect world more money would be available to pros, but not at a cost to the amateur members. But surely taking time to network with amateurs is of benefit to club pros.
After all they are running a business. The more customers they get to know the greater their chance of some out-of-season sales or lessons. Some seem to embrace the idea, some actually play because they enjoy the game.
Would like to hear what the pros who play in North-east Alliance competitions on a regular basis have to say.

Hamish McNaughton