There is a strong case for the upcoming return of golf to the Olympic Games being more crucial to the future of ladies golf than the men’s equivalent. Certainly, given the scheduling issues that are certain prove problematic in the men’s game next year, it would be no surprise at all if women embrace the Rio scenario more warmly.
There are other, potentially endearing tales. Take the case of Annabel Dimmock. The top-ranked female amateur in Great Britain and Ireland turned professional last week, with the 18-year-old a fine example of the success of the Wentworth Club’s scholarship programme. Her amateur success marks her out as one to watch in the coming months and up to, perhaps, that Olympic date.
Aside from aiming to make an impact on the Ladies European Tour – where Dimmock has Charley Hull as evidence of what can be achieved – there is an Olympic goal with foundation in a sad tale. Dimmock was part of Team GB for the Youth Olympic Games in China last year, only for the recurrence of a back problem to prevent her from hitting a competitive shot in anger. How fitting it would be if the Olympics proper provide the teenager with a 2016 platform.
“That was such a hard time,” Dimmock recalls of her Nanjing experience. “I wasn’t able to go back home, I was so far away from home and on my own, really. I was pretty down in the dumps about it. I had gone out there with a bit of a back injury but it really flared up when I was in China and I couldn’t play.
“The Olympics next year will be a massive deal for all of us, no doubt. It would be amazing if I can do well enough to be part of that and, of course, it would more than make up for what happened last year.”
With the emergence of Hull, Amy Boulden and Dimmock, the fresh face of British women’s golf perhaps has not had the credit it deserves. Hull’s form alone marks her out as one of the nation’s outstanding sporting talents, a matter that isn’t recognised nearly as much as it should be.
Dimmock’s move into the professional ranks appears to be perfectly timed. She had reached No10 in the world amateur rankings and clinched the 2014 GB&I amateur order of merit. She had been the youngest member of the Curtis Cup team in St Louis and a past Junior Ryder Cup participant. This week, Dimmock starts her professional career as the Ladies European Tour season begins on Australia’s Gold Coast.
“This feels like the right time to turn pro but it is very hard to predict,” Dimmock adds. “You look at Charley, who is a massive inspiration. We have played together a few times, she has gone out on tour and had a brilliant year last year; I think the fact she had so little experience yet did so well is something I can take encouragement from.”
Another source of assistance to Dimmock has been Sir Nick Faldo. The six-times major champion has taken it upon himself to provide advice, technical and mental, to the rising English star. “Nick actually lives nearby and I would see him at Wentworth a lot,” Dimmock added. “I played in the Faldo Series and he took time to give me a long lesson there. He didn’t have to do that, he didn’t have to spend time with me at all but he was really nice and really helpful to me.”
The building blocks are in place. There are clear and obvious goals. Quite how Dimmock fares as a professional will be worthy of interest.
THE ALLISS QUESTION
No discussion with Peter Dawson in relation to the Open Championship’s upcoming switch from the BBC to Sky would be complete without mention of Peter Alliss. And so it proved on Tuesday at St Andrews, with the topic of the veteran commentator raised when Dawson met the media.
Alliss splits opinion. Mine is that golf has moved on from the point where we need mentions of 90th birthday parties in the home counties during coverage of a major championship, as would be the Alliss want. Part of the R&A’s thinking with the Sky swap is that appealing to a younger audience would be beneficial, as is unarguable.
“One wonders how long Peter would have gone on, at his age,” Dawson said. “I don’t know, that’s actually a matter for him. The commentary thing is a matter of taste, isn’t it? You hear very different views about it from different people.”
Speaking to the Irish radio station Newstalk later in the day, the 83-year-old Alliss suggested he may not hang about for the duration of the BBC’s Open deal, which will finish next year at Troon.
“I haven’t made up my mind but I might finish it at St Andrews this year,” Alliss said. “I don’t know but a lot of the big boys have finished there. I might do the same. It depends how the mood takes me.”
STOLEN IN SAN FRANCISCO
Disappointing news from San Francisco, where Europe’s victorious Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley touched down for an appearance at this week’s AT&T Pro-Am at Pebble Beach.
McGinley had taken a stroll along Ocean Beach and had lunch with a friend before returning to his rented jeep only to discover the back window caved in and his belongings had been stolen. Golf clubs, travel documents and Ryder Cup mementos – which McGinley had planned to auction off for charity – were all taken.
“I was just disappointed,” said the Irishman. “I had only been in the country an hour and a half. It can happen in any country or city in the world. I thought it was safe, it didn’t cross my mind.”
