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Scottish Golf Union name 2008 National Squads

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The Scottish Golf Union (SGU) has named 46 players from the cream of Scotland’s amateur golfing talent to form the 2008 National Squads.

Above, Glen Campbell of Blairgowrie Golf Club

The selected players who have made the grade join the esteemed ranks of golfers who have enjoyed the honour of representing Scotland.

In a change to last year’s squad set up, the U18 squad comprises leading players divided between two groups, whilst the development squad is formed from U16 players. The Youths, Overseas and Mens Squad system remains unchanged.

A number of key national squad members have made the transition from the U16 to U18 line up – with Scotland caps David Law from Hazlehead and Bonnyton’s Andrew McLachlan – both of whom shared the glory after winning the Tournament of Nations Trophy in Belgium this year – taking their place in the A squad. Joining them is Kirkhill’s Paul Shields, winner of the first Junior Tour event of the season at Kingsbarns Links and top finishing Scot at the Skandia Junior Open, who has graduated from the 2007 Development Squad.

Fellow Junior Tour winner Sam McLaren has retained his place on the U18 squad along with leading light at Boys international level, Troon Wellbeck ace Michael Stewart. Stewart’s compatriot on the Boys winning Home International and Quadrangular team in 2006, James Byrne makes his transition from the U18 squad to that of Overseas.

Byrne, who enjoyed a tremendous season winning the Boys Stroke Play Championship and representing Scotland at mens level at the European Team Championships and the Home Internationals, has undertaken a US based golf scholarship. However, the Banchory player will return to the competitive fray next season when his first year of studies at Arizona State University breaks for summer.

Two other players again feature in the Overseas squad, former British Boys Champion Jordan Findlay and Newmacher’s former Boys Internationalist, Lewis Kirton.

The U18 B squad comprises a seven strong line up with Colin Baird and Inchmarlo’s Chris Robb also successfully navigating the transition from U16 to U18 level. Fellow club mate Tom Spencer and consistent performer on the SGU scene, Tom Blennerhassett from Dalmahoy have earned their selection along with Fraser McKenna – who made it to the quarter finals at the Scottish Boys Championship earlier this year.

A number of fresh new players have made it into the U16 development squad, including Ewen Scott who hails from the Home of Golf along with Jordyn Rhind and Cruden Bay’s Robbie Gauld, to name but a few making their debut. King James VI players Ian Redford - who claimed the Under 16 Stroke Play title this summer has been rewarded for his performance, joining the former U14 Stroke Play Champion Paul McPhee and Deeside’s Jack Scott who return to the U16 squad for another year.

At youths level, the squad has been boosted by an increase from six to eight players for 2008. Youths Stroke Play Champion Scott Borrowman from Dollar joins five players who retained their squad places from this year; they are Philip McLean, Robert McKnight, former Boys Stroke Play Champions, Steven McEwan and Shaun McAllister along with 2006 Boys Match Play Champion, James White. Carnoustie’s Scott Mann and Greg Patterson from New Club St Andrews complete the youth squad.

The Aberdeen Asset Management sponsored men’s elite squad boasts 11 players, all of whom have had experience of representing Scotland. Reigning Scottish Amateur Champion John Gallagher retains his place in the mix, joined by familiar faces from the international scene, Colville Park’s star Paul O’Hara and Scott Henry (Cardross) - who helped secure victory for the SGU side at the recent Bunkered Match Play Challenge, the biennial Ryder Cup style event.

Star of the season, SGU Order of Merit winner Callum Macaulay unsurprisingly banked his place in the squad following a solid 2007 season, along with Bidwells Stroke Play Champion Kevin McAlpine and Scottish amateur finalist, Keir McNicoll. Fine performances including Tennant Cup and Cameron Corbett Vase victories ensured Wallace Booth’s place in the line up, joined by other newcomers to the men’s elite squad, Mark Hillson, Gavin Dear and Ross Kellett – who has progressed from this season’s youth’s squad. Scottish internationalist Glenn Campbell is the veteran in the group and concludes the line up.

Notable omissions from the men’s squad this year include West of Scotland Champion Jonathan King, who has withdrawn from international competition and will focus his energies on his blossoming banking career. Other absentees include Richie Ramsay and Lloyd Saltman, both of whom enjoyed their fair share of the silverware at amateur level and continue to be great ambassadors and role models in the game since turning professional.

Commenting on the selections, Hamish Grey, Chief Executive Officer of the SGU said, “I am delighted for the players who have been selected to our national squads. It is a great recognition of their ability to represent their country and an opportunity for them to test themselves at national and international level.

“Playing alongside world class players is crucial for the development of Scottish golfers, to enable them to prosper at elite level. Congratulations to each and every one of the players and I wish them all every success for 2008.”

Development (Under 16) Under 18 B Squad

Shaun Connor (Ralston) Colin Baird (Bothwell Castle)
Robbie Gauld (Cruden Bay) Tom Blennerhassett (Dalmahoy)
Scott Gibson (Southerness) Fraser McKenna (Balmore)
Paul McPhee (King James VI) Chris Robb (Inchmarlo)
Ian Redford (King James VI) Tom Spencer (Inchmarlo)
Jordyn Rhind (Uphall) Colin Thomson (East Renfrewshire)
Ewen Scott (St Andrews) Daniel Young (Craigie Hill)
Jack Scott (Deeside)
Callum Stewart (Brora)

>Under 18 A Squad Youth Squad

Mark Bookless (Sandyhills) Scott Borrowman (Dollar)
Scott Fraser (Northern) Scott Mann (Carnoustie)
Chris Gaittens (Fortrose&Rosemarkie) Shaun McAllister (Craigielaw)*
David Law (Hazelhead) Steven McEwan (Caprington)*
Andrew McLachlan (Bonnyton) Robert McKnight (Kilmarnock Barassie)*
Sam McLaren (King James VI) Philip McLean (Peterhead)*
Paul Shields (Kirkhill) Greg Patterson (New Club, St Andrews)
Michael Stewart (Troon Wellbeck) James White (Lundin)

Men’s Elite Squad Overseas Squad

Wallace Booth (Comrie) James Byrne (Banchory)
Glenn Campbell (Blairgowrie) Jordan Findlay (Fraserburgh)*
Gavin Dear (Murrayshall) Lewis Kirton (Newmacher)
John Gallagher (Swanston New) *
Scott Henry (Cardross)*
Mark Hillson (Craigielaw)
Ross Kellett (Colville Park)*
Callum Macaulay (Tulliallan)*
Kevin McAlpine (Alyth)*
Keir McNicoll (Carnoustie)*
Paul O’Hara (Colville Park)*

*Denotes Scottish Institute of Sport supported athletes

Source: SGU