A squad of 22 players has been selected to prepare for the Walker Cup match to be played at Royal County Down, Newcastle on 8 and 9 September 2007.
Former Walker Cup players Lloyd Saltman, Richie Ramsay (US Amateur Champion), Gary Wolstenholme, Rhys Davies and Nigel Edwards (South African Amateur Champion), plus 2006 St Andrews Trophy players Rory McIlroy (European Individual Amateur Champion) and Jamie Moul, head an exciting squad with an excellent blend of youth and experience.
Captain Colin Dalgleish explained that exclusion from the squad did not mean that players could not eventually force their way into the side next year, "We are very conscious that young players improve so quickly that it is very possible, indeed likely, that one or two players in the team could come from outside this squad. However, we want to familiarize our best players with the course and consequently we are planning a trip to Royal County Down in April. We also want to let the squad know that every one of them is in a strong position to force his way into the team".
Retiring Chairman of Selectors, Peter McEvoy agreed, "It is nice to see five Walker Cup players in the squad, together with six St Andrews Trophy players. If they can play well in the lead up to the match and are joined by some of the existing young talent which abounds, we should have another very strong 10-player team."
THE SQUAD
Gary Boyd, Cherwell Edge
Jonathan Caldwell, Clandeboye
Glenn Campbell, Blairgowrie
Rhys Davies, Royal Porthcawl
Nigel Edwards, Whitchurch
Zac Gould, Vale of Glamorgan
Scott Henry, Cardross
David Horsey, Styal
Stephen Lewton, Woburn
Llewellyn Matthews, Southerndown
Kevin McAlpine, Alyth
Rory McIlroy, Holywood
Kier McNicoll, Carnoustie
Jamie Moul, Stoke by Nayland
Paul O’Hara, Colville Park
Ben Parker, Royal Birkdale
Richie Ramsay, Royal Aberdeen
Lloyd Saltman, Craigielaw
Gareth Shaw, Lurgan
Simon Ward, Co Louth
Paul Waring, Bromborough
Gary Wolstenholme, Killworth Springs
CAPTAIN
Colin Dalgleish, Helensburgh
Further information:
Peter McEvoy, Chairman, The R&A Selection Committee, Tel: (44) 1684 291345, Mobile: (44) 7836 314911
Colin Dalgleish, Captain, GB&I Walker Cup Team, Tel: (44) 1436 671763, Mobile: (44) 7836 372968
Rhodri Price, Assistant Director – Championships, The R&A, Tel: (44) 1334 460000
The R&A is golf’s world rules and development body and organiser of The Open Championship. It operates with the consent of more than 125 national and international, amateur and professional organisations, from over 110 countries and on behalf of an estimated 28 million golfers in Europe, Africa, Asia-Pacific and The Americas (outside the USA and Mexico). The United States Golf Association (USGA) is the game’s governing body in the United States and Mexico.
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