"Of the 10 Englishmen in the world 100, I reckon that maybe two have benefited from the elite squad system."

In the context of Olympic golf and the excitement we should have when funding develops academies to breed future medal winners from far away places, check out Alistair Tait's look at the meager role the English Golf Union has played in the development of the ten outstanding Englishmen currently in the world top 100.

Westwood played junior golf for England and would have received junior coaching. However, he was an amateur long before the elite squad came into operation. Ditto for Dyson and Rose, although both played for England and were on England teams.

Poulter never played elite amateur golf. His family couldn’t afford to drive him all over the British Isles to elite events. He turned pro with a 4 handicap just hoping to become a tour pro one day. He is living proof that if you want something badly enough and are prepared to work hard, then your dreams can come true.

Casey, Donald, Wilson and McGowan owe their successes to college golf. All four shone in the college game, particularly Casey and Donald. McGowan and Wilson were in the elite squad, but only when they were home in England from college leave.