Nick Dunlap's parents enters legal fight with son's manager, latter describes PGA Tour pro's dad as an 'alcoholic a**hole'

While Nick Dunlap continues to excel on the golf course, his parents, Charlene and Jim Dunlap, are embroiled in a legal dispute with his manager Kevin Canning, and his management firm GSE Worldwide. The parents are being represented by family attorney W. Scott Simpson.

The legal fight began in March of this year when Dunlap's manager Canning made derogatory remarks about his father to a business associate of LLC. The business entity Nick Dunlap Golf, LLC (NDG) oversees Dunlap's marketing activities and revenue.

During the Arnold Palmer Invitational, Canning allegedly called Jim Dunlap a "drunk, controlling, alcoholic asshole" who is “too tough” on the Alabama golfer.

As per Sports Business Journal, the family attorney Simpson claimed that Canning bad-mouthed Dunlap's parents. However, Dunlap's management firm denied the allegations and said that Simpson had manufactured the accusations to control Dunlap’s business.

Dunlap's family maintained many of Canning's statements to be false. The 20-year-old golfer had signed a contract with a management firm GSE in February for one year.

Just five weeks later after the disparaging incident, Simpson cited a breach of contract by Canning. He filed an arbitration request with the American Arbitration Association (AAA). In response, Canning filed a lawsuit and said that the issue was not arbitrable as he didn't sign the contract.

Sports Business Journal's Josh Carpenter reported that GSE President Andrew Witlieb signed the contract, not Canning.

In a statement to Golfweek, GSE said that they have been representing Dunlap since his amateur days and have helped him get great deals. On the other hand, Simpson wrote to SBJ in a mail stating that Dunlap's parents have helped him transition to professional golf. The motion hearing of the case was held on July 18.

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A look at Nick Dunlap's performance in 2024

Nick Dunlap has had an exceptional 2024 season with two wins on the PGA Tour. He also has six top-25 finishes this year. Dunlap is currently positioned 66th in the FedExCup standings and is in the race to win the PGA Tour Rookie of the Year award.

Nick Dunlap won the American Express in January as an amateur. Dunlap won by one stroke over Christiaan Bezuidenhout. He also won the Barracuda Championship lately by two points over Vince Whaley.

Dunlap's other notable performances include a T10 at the Rocket Mortgage Classic, a T11 at the Texas Children's Houston Open, and a T12 finish at the Memorial tournament.

Let's take a look at Nick Dunlap's performance in the 2024 PGA TOUR Tournaments:

• The American Express: 1 (64-65-60-70, 259, -29)
• AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am: 80 (76-74-73, 223, +7)
• The Genesis Invitational: Missed Cut (70-75, 145, +3)
• Cognizant Classic: T53 (67-70-71-71, 279, -5)
• Arnold Palmer Invitational pres. by Mastercard: T48 (72-74-75-71, 292, +4)
• THE PLAYERS Championship: Missed Cut (77-70, 147, +3)
• Texas Children's Houston Open: T11 (68-71-63-69, 271, -9)
• Masters Tournament: Missed Cut (77-74, 151, +7)
• RBC Heritage: 69 (75-73-68-74, 290, +6)
• THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson: T30 (66-67-67-70, 270, -14)
• Wells Fargo Championship: T24 (69-72-72-72, 285, +1)
• PGA Championship: Missed Cut (74-73, 147, +5)
• the Memorial Tournament pres. by Workday: T12 (70-73-70-75, 288, E)
• U.S. Open: Missed Cut (73-73, 146, +6)
• Travelers Championship: 66 (68-70-73-68, 279, -1)
• Rocket Mortgage Classic: T10 (67-69-67-71, 274, -14)
• John Deere Classic: Missed Cut (69-70, 139, -3)
• Barracuda Championship: 1 (12-7-11-19, 49, +49)
• 3M Open: Missed Cut (71-75, 146, +4)