Amateur Championship could ‘return to straight knockout format’ at Birkdale

COULD the Amateur Championship be reverting to a simple knockout format due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic?

The R&A has abandoned plans to use two courses – as it has for the past 36 years – to stage its traditional 36-hole qualifier, leading to a knockout matchplay for the top 64 players.

Instead of using West Lancashire and Royal Birkdale golf clubs to stage the 125^th Amateur Championship, the event will now be held exclusively at the latter from August 25-30.

With a normal entry of 288 players from all over the world, this year’s Amateur Championship looks almost certain to revert to a straight knockout.

Royal Birkdale cannot physically stage 36 holes of qualifying and five rounds of matchplay – before a 36-hole final on the last day – within the allotted six days.

The only alternative would be for the R&A to slash the number of entries in half – if it wanted to maintain the qualifying format played over the first two days.

The latest changes to the blue riband event on the amateur calendar – which has been won by Hampshire golfers in two of the last four years – were announced on Tuesday.

The R&A would not be drawn on the likely format for the revised championships.

An R&A spokesman told Golf South: “We are aiming to open entries for both championships next week – at which time the terms of competition will be published.

“We are in the process of finalising our arrangements for both events and will be able to confirm these next week.”

Corhampton’s Scott Gregory with his 2017 Masters invite after winning the 2016 Amateur Championship, beating Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre in the final at Royal Porthcawl.
Picture by ANDREW GRIFFIN / AMG PICTURES

Using Lancashire venues allows R&A to ‘concentrate its resources’

WITH the rejigged England Golf schedule, the country’s top amateurs will have a run playing the Brabazon Trophy – two weeks after the English Amateur Championship at Woodhall Spa – followed by The Amateur at Royal Birkdale.

The winner of The Amateur would normally play in that summer’s Open Championship, and traditionally receives an invite to The Masters the following April, before also being offered a place in that year’s US Open.

The Women’s Amateur winner normally earns a start in the Women’s British Open – the 2020 Major is scheduled to be played the weekend before at Royal Troon.

What exemptions the 2020 winners of both Amateur Championships will earn has not yet been announced.

R&A executive director Duncan Weir said: “We have been working hard to make sure we can deliver The Amateur and Women’s Amateur championships in August in as safe a manner as possible for players and officials.

“With that in mind, we plan to stage both championships at neighbouring venues in the north west of England so we can concentrate our resources in one area.

“We look forward to staging these great championships which will provide an opportunity for the leading players to compete at the highest level and – if eligible – stake their claims for places in the Walker and Curtis cups as well as other international matches next year.”

Both championships were moved back from their respective dates in June to August at the end of April.

The stunning West Lancashire Golf Club, which will now host The Women’s Amateur Championship from August 25-29, after The R&A switched it from Kilmarnock (Barassie)

Women’s Amateur switches to West Lancashire from Barassie

WHILE West Lancashire will play no role in the Amateur, it will now host the Women’s Amateur Championship instead, over the same week.

West Cornwall’s Emily Toy had been due to defend the crown she won last year at Royal County Down, at Kilmarnock (Barassie) this month.

The Scottish venue will now host the 2021 Women’s Amateur from June 12-18 while Conway GC, in North Wales, will now host the 41st Curtis Cup from September 3-5, next year.

The biennial clash between the defending champions the USA and Great Britain and Ireland, was cancelled back in April after discussions with the USGA.

Mr Weir added: “We are also delighted to confirm the dates for the Curtis Cup match and look forward to welcoming the players of both teams to Conwy in 2021.”

IN other developments, the Girls’ and Boys’ Amateur Championships – which had been due to have been played in the middle of August – have both been cancelled.

The Girls’ Amateur was won in its centenary year at Panmure GC by Slovenia’s 15-year-old Pia Babnik, while the Boys’ crown went to France’s Tom Gueant at Saunton, in North Devon.

•The Amateur Championship was played as a straight knockout from 1885 onwards until the 36-hole strokeplay was introduced in 1984 at Formby and Southport & Ainsdale.

The final was contested by future Ryder Cup captains Jose Maria Olazabal and Colin Montgomerie – with the Spaniard claiming the famous trophy.

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Alice Hewson, who won on her first professional start in the Investec South African Open in March, spoke about her golf life to England’s current national squad plaeyrs. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

THE next adventure for Hertfordshire’s Alice Hewson in her blossoming professional career will come – appropriately enough – via the newly-announced Rose Series.

However, Hewson will always make time to talk about her amateur golfing roots at Berkhamsted Golf Club and as a member of various England squads.

The 22-year-old is one of England Golf’s most recent success stories.

Last week Alice gladly accepted England Golf performance director Nigel Edwards’ invitation to host an interactive Q&A session with members of the national teams and their coaches.

Alice said: “England Golf gave me so many opportunities to travel the world and develop my game that I’m happy to pass on my experiences to the next group of players coming through.

Her story was one which held the attention of her appreciative online audience.

Having bid farewell to the amateur ranks by winning the European Ladies at Parkstone Golf Club last August, Hewson made an incredible start to life on the Ladies’ European Tour in March.

She won the South African Open in her first event as a pro on the Ladies European Tour.

On the back of a stellar amateur career which also saw her play in a winning Curtis Cup team and helping England to back-to-back European team titles – it was further confirmation that Hewson is one of world golf’s rising stars.

Alice bowed out of amateur golf by winning the Ladies European Amateur Championship last summer. Picture by LEADDERBOARD PHOTOGRAPHY

Hewson set for Brokenhurst Manor

HEWSON’S competitive season tees off again on June 18 with the first of the seven tournaments that have been sponsored by England Golf ambassador Justin Rose and his wife Kate.

The Rose Series is a huge boost to the women’s game hit hard by the interruption to the season caused by the COVID-19 pandemic – just days after Hewson’s win in Cape Town.

And for Hewson it’s a chance to write more chapters in her story which she was only too happy to recount for England’s current crop of leading amateurs.

Alice admitted: “I signed off my amateur career by winning the European Ladies and then to start my time as a pro by winning as a rookie was amazing.

“It actually didn’t feel too bad in South Africa coming down the stretch as I had no pressure on me to win.

“I had been in Abu Dhabi the week before for an event that was eventually cancelled.

“But I was in and around many of the tour players and got to know them so I was comfortable in my surroundings.

“I think the experiences I enjoyed with England in team events and winning individual events also helped me cope – and made sure I had no negative thoughts.”

Hewson also recounted her experiences at Clemson University in South Carolina.

She reinforced her view that an amateur golf career running parallel to a sound education was a smart move.

LET winner Alice Hewson is also a member of the Symetra Tour in the USA. Picture by ADRIAN MILLEDGE

After lockdown, Symetra Tour win is the aim

LOCKDOWN has allowed Hewson to take a breath and continue to work on her game – and target success in the US.

There have been coaching classes via Facetime, yoga sessions and a chance to work on some minor improvements to her game – and nip any bad habits in the bud.

“I’ve enjoyed the time at home as I decided to turn a negative into a positive by working on different aspects of my game,” Alice revealed.

“Now I can’t wait to get started again in the Rose Series at Brokenhurst Manor. It was brilliant of Justin and his wife to invest in and support the women’s game.

“I’ll now look to balance my schedule for the year, as I also have rights on the Symetra Tour in the US.

“I’d like to try and win in the US and build towards a full year in 2021.”

From Wee Wonder to world star in the making…

Alice Hewson as a finalist in the HSBC Wee Wonders with Nick Dougherty, at St Andrews, in 2009

ALICE – who tasted success early in the HSBC Wee Wonders series – also reflected on her years as an England player.

They helped her develop life skills and ease the transition from amateur to pro circuit, as well as the obvious technical benefits of working with renowned coaches such as Steve Robinson and Rob Watts.

Hewson said: “I’m passionate about education and was happy to give my thoughts on the college scene in America, and how balancing this with an amateur career can be beneficial.

“You never know what lies ahead – a player may get injured, you may fall out of love with the game. You need that back-up.

“As well as the educational side, the golfing opportunities are also incredible and it’s the best of both worlds.”

Alice was an all-round athlete before she even became a teenager, playing golf from the age of seven, when she had a very respectable handicap of eight.

As a 12-year old the Berkshamsted School pupil swam in the 2009 British National Championships in Sheffield, competed in the Wee Wonders finals at St Andrews after winning her regional qualifiers.

And to top it off, she put on her spikes to compete in the English Girls U13 Championships and played in the US Kids Championship, at Pinehurst, in America.

That winter she was part of the England Super Birdies Development Squad based at Brocket Hall, and made her Curtis Cup debut six years later, having won the Scottish U16 Championship and the Hampshire Rose.

After two years of regional training Alice became a member of the England Girls squad from 2013-14. She was promoted to the Women’s Squad in 2015 for the next three years.

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Mel Reid says some of her best golfing memories and friendships are from her days as an England international. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

MEL Reid brought her inspirational golfing story to life in a fascinating web chat with the current England squads and coaches.

The 32-year-old LPGA rookie became the latest professional to offer insight and advice through an online Q&A.

Reid came through the England Golf ranks and won back-to-back English Girls Championships in 2004-5.

The two-time winner of the Helen Holm Trophy played in the 2006 Curtis Cup – before turning pro in 2008, after winning the British Ladies Amateur Strokeplay in 2007.

The six-time LET winner from Derbyshire returned to form last year with a third-placed finish at the Women’s PGA Championship in the States.

The former Chevin junior was a vice-captain when Europe’s Solheim Cup team edged the USA in a thrilling match at Gleneagles, in September.

Now based in Florida, Reid is a strong advocate for the women’s game.

And her passion for golf shone through in her frank and honest discussion with an enthralled audience.

Reid said: “I think that it’s important that you leave the game in a better place than you found it.

“Some golfers have foundations or are mentors. I feel that I have a voice and that’s where I can make changes – by being authentically myself.

“It is important to show young girls and guys that the golf game is not old-fashioned.

“I want to show people my story and if that helps people then great.

“My story is a little bit different and it is important for me to fight for things I believe in,” said Reid, who announced she was gay in an interview with a US-based website in December 2018.

“I’m passionate about it and if I am a role model that’s a huge honour.”

Mel Reid was the latest star to speak to members of England Golf’s performance squads during the COVID-19 lockdown. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

‘Strong mindset the key to success’

MEL Reid revealed the importance of having a strong mindset in golf.

She suggested it was the key difference between a player ranked one or 100 on tour.

Mel opened up on her fitness regime which has allowed her to become one of the strongest and most athletic players on tour.

Reid was speaking from her base at the Floridian Club, near Jupiter in Florida.

The 32-year-old also reminisced on her work ethic as a junior which saw her play 45 holes a day.

She spoke of a desire for young players to develop a natural game rather than becoming obsessed with the game’s gadgetry and technology from too early an age.

“I was in the England squads at the age of 13 and involved with GB&I at 15. There are friends from those days who remain my best mates,” revealed Reid.

“Some of the fondest memories I have in golf are from my amateur days and people you met became like family.

“It taught me a great deal travelling round the world as a teenager.

“It’s a really cool experience that I was lucky to have.”

Having taken time to rest and reset during lockdown, Reid is now eager to get back on tour safely with her status on the LPGA,

Mel Reid (left) with Solheim Cup captain Catriona Matthew wants to see more integrated tournaments between the LET and European Tour. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

‘Let the women take on golf’s top stars’

MEL criticised last month’s men-only TaylorMade Golf Driving Challenge on social media – for not including any LPGA stars.

She received plenty of abusive comments on Twitter for calling for women to have been included in the charity event at Florida’s Seminole GC.

It was the first televised golf in the States in more than two months.

Rory McIlroy and Dustin Johnson raised money for charities and health workers fighting COVID-19 playing against Rickie Fowler and Matt Wolff.

Despite the online attacks on her views, Mel is hopeful that the evolution of golf will see respect for the women’s game grow.

She added: “I’d love to see a mixed team event on the PGA Tour. I also think golf at the Olympics should be mixed.

“It shouldn’t be every golf event. I don’t feel that would be appropriate.

“But it would be awesome to have some mixed events – the guys and girls would love to play each other.

“I see how much higher the mountain is for girls to climb – and I fight for more respect for women athletes across the board.

“Golf is one of the most financially rewarding sports – second to tennis. But we still have a long way to go from a respect point of view.”

Mel has already represented England in the European Tour’s ground-breaking GolfSixes, taking on the men.

But she missed last year’s inaugural Jordan Mixed Open when 41 LET players took on players from the European Challange and Staysure Tours.

• England squads have enjoyed a number of Q&A sessions with stars such as Matt Wallace, Tommy Fleetwood, Matt Fitzpatrick, Bronte Law, Meg Maclaren, Danny Willett and Chris Wood in recent weeks.

Forthcoming sessions are pencilled in with LET rookie Alice Hewson and former World No. 1 Lee Westwood.

https://twitter.com/molly_mcelwee/status/1263814139148984320 Mel Reid’s comments on Twitter about the TaylorMade Driving Challenge caused a stir

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Last year’s Amateur Championship winner James Sugrue. The R&A will hold the 2020 event at Royal Birkdale in August if COVID-19 restrictions are relaxed by then. Picture by R&A

THE R&A has published a rearranged schedule for its 2020 amateur championships – but all of its international matches between Europe and Great Britain and Ireland, and the Home Internationals have been cancelled.

The R&A’s two biggest junior events – the Boys’ and Girls’ Amateur Championships – will go ahead as planned in August, while three of its biggest adult competitions have been moved from earlier in the summer to late August

The R&A Seniors Championship – which traditionally attracts a strong entry from the USA and Europe has been put back to late September from its traditional slot in late July.

With the exception of the Curtis Cup clash between the USA and Great Britain and Ireland’s elite women amateurs – which has been postponed until 2021 – all other international matches scheduled in 2020 have been cancelled.

All six major championships will be played at their original venues – and are dependent on the COVID-19 situation, the R&A stressed.

The full list is as follows:–

• The R&A Girls’ Amateur Championship Southport & Ainsdale, Lancs, will be played from August 11-15 as scheduled
• The R&A Boys’ Amateur Championship at Moortown and Alwoodley, Yorks, will be played from August 11-16 as scheduled
• The R&A Women’s Senior Amateur Championship at Ashridge, Herts, will be played from August 19-21 as scheduled
• The Women’s Amateur Championship at Kilmarnock (Barassie) has been rescheduled from June 23-27 to August 25-29
• The Amateur Championship at Royal Birkdale and West Lancashire has been rescheduled from June 15-20 to August 25-30
• The R&A Senior Amateur Championship at Royal Cinque Ports, Deal, has been rescheduled from July 29-31 to September 23-25

The revised schedule for the championships will only go ahead if the restrictions introduced to combat the coronavirus pandemic allow.

An R&A spokesman said: “We will continue to follow the guidance from the UK Government, health authorities and our own medical consultants.”

The R&A Junior Open, which was due to be played from 13-15 July at Kent’s Littlestone GC, from July 13-15 – in the build up to the 149th Open at Royal St George’s – has been cancelled along with The Open Championship at nearby Sandwich (July 16-19).

The following amateur international matches have all been cancelled:–

• St Andrews Trophy – GB&I v Europe – Royal Porthcawl (July 23-24)
• R&A Boys’ Home Internationals, Killarney (Aug 4-6)
• R&A Women’s and Girls’ Home Internationals, Royal St David’s (Aug 5&7)
• Junior Vagliano Trophy and Jacques Leglise Trophy – GB&I v Europe – Blairgowrie (Lansdowne), Aug 28-29
• R&A Men’s and Women’s Senior Home Internationals West Kilbride, (Sept 29-Oct 1)

St Andrews Trophy has produced 26 Ryder Cup since first GB&I v Europe match at Wentworth in 1956

The winning Continent of Europe team that won the St Andrews Trophy at Finland’s Linna Golf in 2018. Picture by JAN KRUGER R&A / GETTY IMAGES

THE biennial St Andrews Trophy – jointly arranged with the European Golf Association – between the GB&I men’s team and Continental Europe was called off last month.

The match has seen many GB&I players go on to feature in the Walker Cup against the USA. It was due to be played at Royal Porthcawl, from July 23-24.

And 26 members from both St Andrews’ teams have featured in Ryder Cups over the past 60 years.

That list includes the likes of Rory McIlroy, Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson, Francesco Molinairi and his brother Edoardo, Darren Clarke, Jose Maria Olazabal, Padraig Harrington, Colin Montgomery, Paul Casey, Martin Kaymer, Sandy Lyle and Thomas Bjørn.

It dates back to 1956 and GB&I won 19 of the first 22 matches. Since 2000, GB&I have won the match six times with Europe claiming three of the last matches.

The first match was played at Wentworth’s West Course with Gerald Micklem captaining the GB&I team.

The current Walker Cup captain has traditionally led the GB&I team as part of their preparations to play against the USA the following year.

In 2018, Finland’s Sami Valimaki, who won the Oman Open in February, was on the winning Continental Europe team

The first tie in the event’s history – at Prince’s in 2016 – saw GB&I retain the trophy. GB&I now lead 25-6 overall.

The 2022 St Andrews Trophy is set to be played at Penati, in Slovakia.

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Wentworth member Harry Ellis, from Hampshire, who won the Amateur Championship at Royal St George’s in 2017. The 2020 Amateur Championship has been put back two months. Picture by ANDREW GRIFFIN / AMG PICTURES

THE R&A have announced that both of its major amateur championships – and the women’s Curtis Cup clash with America – are being put back to later dates because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Amateur Championship – due to be held at Royal Birkdale and West Lancashire from June 15-20 – and the Women’s Amateur Championship, which was set for a week later at Kilmarnock (Barassie), are now scheduled to be played in the week commencing August 24.

The biennial Curtis Cup clash between the USA and Great Britain and Ireland – which was set to be played at Conwy Golf Club, in North Wales, from June 12-14, has been put back until 2021 after talks with the United States Golf Association (USGA).

The winner of the Amateur Championship earns a place in The Open Championship – but the 2020 winner at Royal Birkdale may miss out unless the R&A subsequently postpone the 149^th Open Championship, which is due to be played at Royal St George’s in July.

The R&A are currently considering whether its plans for The Open at Sandwich, can go ahead because of the threat from COVID-19 which has led to more than 2,300 deaths in the UK in the past month.

An R&A spokesman said: “Following advice provided by the UK Government, health authorities and our own medical consultants in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have postponed the amateur championships and international match due to be played in June.”

Duncan Weir, the R&A’s director of amateur championships, said: “We have a responsibility to protect the health and well-being of the players and everyone involved in our events so it is the right course of action to take.

“We are grateful to all of the venues for their continuing support in these challenging circumstances and will update everyone involved with our plans.”

“We continue to review our 2020 professional championships and the remainder of our domestic amateur season.

“Further information will be issued in due course.”

A date for the 2021 Curtis Cup will be announced in due course, the R&A spokesman added.

The victorious USA team at the 2018 Curtis Cup, played at New York’s Quaker Ridge.
Picture by STEVE GIBBONS / USGA

Curtis Cup dates back to 1932

The Curtis Cup will now be played at Conwy Golf Club in 2021

THE Curtis Cup dates back to 1932 – the Americans currently lead with 30 wins to GB&I’s 10 victories – and since 2008 the match has been played over three days.

The United States won the last Curtis Cup at Quaker Ridge, in New York, with the hosts having won the last five.

GB&I broke a losing sequence dating back to their win at Ireland’s Killarney Golf & Fishing Club in 1996 when they beat the USA at Nairn Golf Club, in 2012 under the captaincy of Wales’ Tegwen Matthews.

Hampshire’s 2016 Amateur Champion Scott Gregory, from Corhampton GC.
Picture by ANDREW GRIFIFN / AMG PICTURES

Hampshire pair won Amateur Championship back-to-back

THE Amateur Championship was won in 2019 by Ireland’s James Sugrue, from Mallow GC, who went on to play for GB&I against America in the Walker Cup, at Hoylake, in September.

The Irishman featured alongside Stoke Park’s English Amateur Champion Conor Gough at Royal Liverpool GC, where the USA ran out winners by 151/2-101/2.

The Buckinghamshire teenager was just 17 when he made his Walker Cup debut, having won the English crown at Hankley Common, six weeks earlier when he was still 16.

Harry Ellis, who holds the record as the youngest English Amateur Champion at 16, won the Amateur Championship when it was held at Royal St George’s in 2017.

The Florida State University graduate from Meon Valley G&CC, who is now a member at Wentworth, was the second Hampshire player to win in a row after Corhampton’s Scott Gregory claimed the historic prize at Royal Porthcawl.

Gregory, who is now playing on the Challenge Tour, beat Scotland’s Robert McIntyre at Royal Porthcawl in 2016, with the pair playing with Ellis in the 2017 Walker Cup at Los Angeles Country Club.

Other recent winners of the men’s title include South Africa’s Jovan Rebula, who beat Ireland’s Robin Dawson at Royal Aberdeen two years ago, and France’s Romain Langasque, who beat Scot Grant Forrest at Carnoustie, five years ago.

Mattias Schwab, who lost to Rathmore’s Alan Dunbar, at Royal Troon in 2012, and Zander Lombard – beaten in the final by Blairgowrie’s Bradley Neil at Royal Portrush in 2014, have both gone on to play on the European Tour.

Meanwhile the winners of those two Amateur Championships have not translated their wins into success in the pro ranks. Although Neil has played on the European Challenge Tour.

AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP RETURNS TO NAIRN IN 2021

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The 61st Berkhamsted Trophy, which attracted a record entry after it was opened up to female and male golfers, has been postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Picture by ANDY HISEMAN / MAGIC HOUR MEDIA

BERKHAMSTED Golf Club has confirmed the postponement of the 61^st Berkhamsted Trophy because of the coronavirus outbreak.

But the Hertfordshire heatthland club – famous for having no bunkers – plans to stage the ground-breaking event for sexual equality later this year.

The 72-hole tournament was set to be the world’s first national-level elite amateur golf event open to both males and females, from April 2-4.

Following the club’s announcement in January that golfers from both sexes would be able to compete equally, this year’s event had already attracted an all-time record entry.

Among the 142 competitors who have entered the 2020 tournament are 18 leading women golfers – led by last week’s Sunningdale Foursomes winner Lily-May Humphries, from Essex, Cheshire’s England international Isobel Wardle, and Emily Toy, the reigning Women’s Amateur Champion. from Cornwall.

All three are members of the Curtis Cup squad for the biennial match, between Great Britain and Ireland and the USA, which is due to be played at Conwy GC, in North Wales, from June 12-14.

The Hertfordshire club is looking to re-schedule the 61^st Berkhamsted Trophy in the autumn 2020. Further announcements will follow. Entrants need to do nothing at this stage.

The Berkhamsted Trophy. Picture by ANDY HISEMAN

Berkhamsted manager Howard Craft said: “Naturally we would rather not be doing this, but it is clearly unwise to attempt to stage a golf tournament of this kind at the moment.

“The health of our competitors, members and staff is the overwhelming priority right now.

“Our decision in January to invite leading female amateur golfers to enter the tournament has been emphatically validated by the record-breaking entry levels, and also by the high quality of the golfers who want to compete – of both sexes.

“What’s been achieved so far is testament both to the appeal of the Berkhamsted Trophy, and also to the growing desire to stage truly gender-neutral tournaments across the golfing world.

“We are proud to be among those who are leading the way in this area, and we are still excited to see what happens when the best female golfers take on the best male golfers, later this year, all competing for the same trophy.”

Great Britain & Ireland Curtis Cup captain Elaine Ratcliffe said: “Berkhamsted has clearly taken the right decision to postpone for now, but more importantly, I think it’s brilliant the event received such enthusiastic backing from both male and female competitors.

“It’s another step in the right direction not just for golf, but for sport in general,” said Ratcliffe, the former Ladies European Tour player, who played in the 1996 Curtis Cup at Killarney, and also for GB&I at the 1998 World Amateur Team Championship for the Espirito Trophy.

“They are all athletes at the end of the day, and we are gradually removing those dividing lines between men’s and women’s sport.”

The 2019 Berkhamsted Trophy was won by Ryan Gosling, from Harpenden GC.

Past winners include Sandy Lyle, Luke Donald, Andy Sullivan, Tom Lewis, Graeme Storm, and Jack Singh-Brar, who have all gone on to play on the European Tour, plus amateur legend Gary Wolstenholme.

•Berkhamsted’s golf course remains open to its members after the Government’s Chief Scientific Officer Sir Patrick Vallance told the Commons Health Committee this week that playing golf was relatively safe during the restrictions on social isolation advised after the COVID-19 outbreak continued to spread across the UK this week.

Berkhamsted Golf Club general manager Howard Craft. Picture by ANDY HISEMAN

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The 2018 Great Britain and Ireland team that were soundly beaten at New York’s Quaker Ridge in 2018, including Surrey’s Annabell Fuller and Essex’s Lily May Humphreys.
Picture by THE R&A / GETTY IMAGES

TEN players have been named in The R&A”s initial Great Britain and Ireland squad for the 2020 Curtis Cup, which will be played at Wales’ Conwy Golf Club in June.

The GB&I will be attempting to regain the historic trophy after the United States recorded a commanding 17-3 victory at Quaker Ridge in New York last year.

The 41st Curtis Cup match will be played from Friday, June 12 til Sunday June 14 at the North Wales course on the Morfa Peninsula, overlooking the Conwy estuary.

Elaine Ratcliffe, who will captain GB&I in the Curtis Cup for the first time, said: “We have a strong pool of players to choose from throughout GB&I and I’m delighted with the 10 players we have selected for the initial squad.

“Each player’s performance and results will be monitored closely over the coming months and we will be looking for each of them to maintain a high standard as they try to secure their places in the team.

“There are many other talented players who can be added to this squad over the next few months,” said the former Ladies European Tour player, who won the English Ladies Amateur Championship in 1998, and hails from Sandbach, in Cheshire.

“We will be following performances closely before the Curtis Cup team is announced in May,” added Ratcliffe, who is one of the co-owners of Essendon Golf Club, in Hertfordshire.

Royal County Down’s Olivia Mehaffey, the highest-ranked member of the squad at No. 19 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, is aiming to make her third Curtis Cup appearance.

Having made her debut in 2016, where she secured three-and-a-half points for the victorious GB&I team, Mehaffey was also a stand-out player in last year’s tough defeat at the 2018 Curtis Cup.

The Northern Ireland international helped achieve two-and-a-half of the team’s three-point total. Currently attending Arizona State University – the university where Phil Mickelson and Paul Casey played – Mehaffey has recorded three collegiate wins this year.

Also in contention for the 2020 team are three of Mehaffey’s team mates from 2018 – Shannon McWilliam, Annabell Fuller and Lily May Humphreys.

The latter has enjoyed an excellent 2019, winning the Annika Invitational Europe, Irish Women’s Open and Welsh Ladies’ Open Strokeplay championships.

Cornwall’s Emily Toy, the 2019 Women’s Amateur Champion and an R&A Foundation scholar, is the third of four English players named in the initial squad and is hoping to make her Curtis Cup debut in 2020.

The squad features a further five potential debutants including Hannah Darling, the Scottish Girls’ Open champion, Annabel Wilson, the Irish Women’s Close champion, Hazel MacGarvie, and Julie McCarthy.

Cheshire’s Isobel Wardle – recently crowned the English Women’s County Champion of Champions at Woodhall Spa – is the final England player in the provisional squad.

The Prestbury GC member helped England win the Women’s Home Internationals at Downfield, in Scotland, last month, alongside Humphreys and Toy.

The final eight players for the GB&I team will be announced on May 11, 2020, and will include the two golfers who are placed highest in the World Amateur Golf Ranking in the week prior.

A further six players will be selected by The R&A Women’s selection committee. Up to four non-travelling reserves will also be announced.

The links course overlooking the Caenarvonshire coast is one of the best in Wales and has hosted the 2009 European Amateur Team Chamiopnship, as well as the Ryder Cup Wales Senior Open on the European Seniors Tour in 2007.

It was also used for Final Qualifying for the 2006 Open at Royal Liverpool but hosted a European Tour event as far back as 1970 when the Martini championship was held there.

The 1990 Men’s Home Internationals were staged at Conwy which also hosted the 1983 Ladies British Open Amateur Championship.

Played off its tips at 6,901 yards, it has three monster par fours over 450 yards off the men’s championship tees but even off the yellows, at 6,476 it’s long holes into the wind are seriously stern tests.

The GB&I squad (age and club/country in brackets):

Hannah Darling (16, Broomieknowe, Scotland)
Shannon McWilliam (20, Aboyne, Scotland)
Annabell Fuller (17, Roehampton, England)
Olivia Mehaffey (21, Royal County Down Ladies, Ireland)
Lily May Humphreys (17, Stoke by Nayland, England)
Emily Toy (21, Carlyon Bay, England)
Hazel MacGarvie (19, Royal Troon, Scotland)
Isobel Wardle (19, Prestbury, England)
Julie McCarthy (20, Forrest Little, Ireland)
Annabel Wilson (18, Lurgan, Ireland)

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Prestbury’s Cheshire county champion Bel Wardle claimed the English Women’s County Champion of Champions with an eight-shot win at Woodhall Spa GC.
Picture by LEAERBOARD PHOTOGRAPHY

BEL Wardle consolidated her reputation as one of England’s finest emerging talents as the Cheshire player was left smiling after dominating the English Women’s County Champion of Champions, at Woodhall Spa.

The 2017 English Women’s Open Strokeplay champion, from Prestbury GC, carded rounds of 72 and 71, which was enough to give her an eight-shot victory on three-under par.

Although confident of her form going into the event with England’s other county champions it was no easy trip for the youngster on a challenging course.

Wardle explained: “I felt confident coming into the event. I knew if I played well I would have a great chance of winning.

“I tried to stay positive during the two rounds. Woodhall Spa is a course where you are going to make mistakes – but it’s how you bounce back.

“I stayed patient and knew that there are birdie chances out there. My iron play was also very good, I set up makeable birdie chances that I took advantage of.

“If I got in trouble, I limited the damage and took my medicine. That kept double bogeys off the card.”

Although Wardle felt pressure from the field, she was always able to stay in control and ahead to secure the victory.

Wardle added: “Obviously there is always going to be pressure when you have the lead.

“But I just tried to concentrate on my game and try to get under par. I knew if I shot under par again I would have a great chance of winning.

“I was really happy to get the win. This year I’ve had many top 10 finishes in events but not a win.

“So very pleased to finally come through to win. I’m very proud to have represented Cheshire at the event and even happier to bring the trophy back.”

After emerging victorious, Wardle is now looking forward to a winter of development ahead of next year’s Curtis Cup.

Bel said: “My next target is to make it into the Curtis Cup team next year – the season is coming to an end, so the winter work begins.”

Wardle’s nearest challengers were Surrey champion Lottie Woad and Bethany Garton, from Lancashire.

Woad represented England when finishing sixth at this year’s European Young Masters in the Czech Republic.

And the Farnham GC teenager maintained her fine recent run of form by recovering from an opening 78 to post a 73 and finish on five-over.

Garton, from Royal Lytham and St Annes, carded rounds of 76 and 75 to post the same total.

Suffolk champion Alice Barlow (Bury St Edmonds) carded rounds of 77 and 75 to finish fourth on 152, while Cambridgeshire and Huntingdon’s Emily Slater (Gog Magog) and Dorset’s Melissa McMahon (Lyme Regis) shared fifth place a futher shot back.

For full scores click here.

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THREE of England’s most talented young players will represent their country at the World Junior Girls’ Championship, to be played in Canada at the end of September.

Annabell Fuller, Lily May Humphreys and Mimi Rhodes will make the trip across the Atlantic after representing Europe in the 2019 PING Junior Solheim Cup match at Gleneagles, Scotland, on September 10-11

They will compete in the 72-hole team stroke play event against teams from 18 other countries, including two from Canada itself at Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham, Ontario, from September 24-27

The championship returns to Angus Glen for the first time since it was inaugurated back in 2014 when the USA took the gold medal ahead of Sweden and a Canada team including future LPGA star Brooke Henderson.

Fuller, from Surrey’s Roehampton GC, is based in the USA where to date this season she has won the girls’ title at the Major Champions Invitational, and finished second at the Bishops Gate Golf Academy and the Scott Robertson Memorial,

The 17-year old Curtis Cup player was also third at the Harder Hall Invitational, fourth at the Annika Invitational USA and reached the last-16 of the US Women’s Amateur Championship.

The former HSBC Wee Wonders star was also fifth at the European Ladies’ Amateur Championship.

Annabell represented Great Britain and Ireland at this summer’s Vagliano Trophy, having played for Europe in last year’s Junior Ryder Cup.

She was also a member of England’s side at the European Ladies’ Team Championship in July.

Essex’s Lily May Humphreys has played in a Curtis Cup and will appear for Europe in this month’s PING Junior Solheim Cup at Gleneagles before heading for Canada. Picture by VICKI HEAD

Essex’s Lily May Humphreys, has been in sparkling form this season winning the Welsh and Irish Strokeplay titles and the Annika Invitational Europe.

The 17-year-old from Stoke by Nayland GC was runner-up at the English Women’s Amateur Championship and the English Women’s Open Amateur Strokeplay Championship.

She played on the 2018 GB&I Curtis Cup team and has since represented the Home Nations in both the Vagliano and Astor Trophy – and was a team-mate of Fuller’s at the European Ladies’ Team Championship.

Lily was also a member of the victorious England team at this year’s Home Internationals at Downfield GC, in Scotland.

Somerset’s Mimi Rhodes is also 17 years old like her team-mates, and reached the semi-finals of the Girls’ British Open Amateur Championship at Panmure.

The West Country teenager also made the quarter-finals of the Women’s Amateur Championship, at Royal County Down, in June.

The Burnham and Berrow GC member was also eighth in the German Girls’ Open and ninth in the Annika Invitational Europe.

She represented England in this year’s European Girls’ Team Championship, where she was fourth in the individual competition, and was part of the victorious English team at the Women’s Home Internationals last month.

Rhodes was also part of the winning English team at last year’s Girls’ Home Internationals in Ireland.

The countries taking part also include Chinese Taipei, Columbia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, the People’s Republic of China, the Republic of Korea, Scotland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand and Wales

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England’s winning European Nations Cup team at Sotogrande, who wil face Spain next weekend at Formby. Picture by LEADERBOARD

THE players who won the European Nations Cup at Sotogrande last weekend have all been selected for England’s team to face Spain, in next week’s annual international, at Formby Golf Club.

Champions Ben Jones, Tom Plumb, Tom Sloman and Bailey Gill (pictured left to right above) will be joined at the Lancashire links course by the women’s European Nations Cup bronze medallists, Georgina Blackman, Emily Toy and Bel Wardle for the mixed-team format clash.

The 10-strong team will be completed by Devon’s Jake Burnage, Ben Hutchinson and Essex’s Lily May Humphreys.The players will follow in the steps of golfing giants as they take part in the biennial match, over the weekend of April 27 and 28.

Over the years, it’s been contested by the likes of Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood, Sergio Garcia and Jose Maria Olazabal.The match started in 1985 as a men’s fixture with England leading Spain 14-2 by 2013.

It became a mixed event in 2015 and England have won both matches played so far.

The teams compete for the Seve Ballesteros Trophy and this year’s match will be played in memory of Spain’s Celia Barquin Arozamena – the 2018 European Ladies’ Champion, who was tragically murdered while at college at Iowa, in the USA, last year.

Meet England’s 10-strong squad to face Spain at Formby

Georgina Blackman, 23, (Chelmsford, Essex) – English Women’s Amateur Champion was third in the 2109 Portuguese Women’s Amateur. Currently second on the English Women’s Order of Merit.

Jake Burnage, 23, (Saunton, Devon) – third in the South Beach international in Miami at the end of last year, before competing in Australia. Past winner of the Walton Heath Trophy.

Bailey Gill, 21, (Lindrick, Yorkshire) was fifth in this year’s Portuguese Amateur, having represented England on a tour of Australia in the New Year, following a successful 2018 season.

Lily May Humphreys, 17, (Stoke by Nayland, Essex) – Curtis Cup player who was crowned 2018 Scottish Women’s Open champion. Played in the inaugural Augusta National Women’s Amateur and was fifth in the 2019 Italian Open.

Ben Hutchinson, 23, (Howley Hall, Yorkshire) – Finished 10^th in last weekend’s Hampshire Salver. Quarter finalist in March’s Spanish Amateur. Reached last 16 at 2018 Amateur Championship.

Ben Jones, 19, (Northamptonshire County) – Semi-finalist in NSW Amateur in Australia in February. Reached matchplay stages of Spanish Amateur and joint runner-up in the 2018 Portuguese Amateur.

Tom Plumb, 20, (Yeovil, Somerset) – Won the Cape Province Open in March and third in January’s South American Amateur in Chile.

Tom Sloman, 22, (Taunton & Pickeridge, Somerset) – Individual winner at European Nations Cup at Sotogrande. Reached last 16 in 2019 Australian Amateur and runner-up in 2018 Welsh Open. Highest ranked Englishman at No. 32 in OWGR.

Emily Toy, 21, (Carlyon Bay, Cornwall) – Won Women’s New South Wales Strokeplay and fifth in Avondale Amateur Down Under in January. Shared fourth place in 2018 English Women’s Amateur.

Bel Wardle, 19, (Prestbury, Cheshire) – Leads English Women’s Order of Merit, after finishing fourth as defending champion in Portuguese Amateur. Quarter-finalist in the Spanish Amateur and won Comboy Scratch Trophy.

Essex’s Lily May Humphreys who was invited to play at Augusta National’s Women’s Amateur this month and will now play for England at Formby

•For full results from the European Nations Cup at Sotogrande click here.

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