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Welsh golf stars named for European team championships

Monday, 30 June 2008
Paula Benn
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The Men’s Championships held in Turin, Italy, from the 1-5 July, includes Ben Westgate who won the Trubshaw Cup this year and finished 5th at the St Andrews Links Trophy last week along with Zac Gould who was runner up to Westgate at the Trubshaw. Also making up the team are Nigel Edwards, winner of Duncan Putter this year, Craig Evans who won the International Team event with Edwards at the South African Amateur in Durban as well as the Enoch brothers from Truro.

Rhys Enoch has followed in the footsteps of fellow Welsh player Rhys Davies by taking up a golf scholarship at East Tennessee State University and helped them reach the NCAA finals recently. His brother, Ben, won the Clwyd Open this year and took third place in the Duncan Putter.

The Ladies’ Championships held in Stenungsund, Sweden, from the 8-12 July will see winner of the South African Match Play and stroke play titles this year, Breanne Loucks along with Welsh Open Stroke Play Champion, Rhian Wyn Thomas, as well as Sahra Hassan who took third place at Critchley Salver and second at Astor Salver 2008.

Other individuals to look out for includes Kirsty O'Connor who will be making her International debut after winning the Welsh Ladies Close Championship at Monmouthshire last month, Stephanie Evans, runner up to O’Connor at the Welsh Close and Hannah Jenkins who took sixth place at the European Nations Cup.

The Golf Union of Wales Director of Player Development and Coaching, Nigel Edwards, explains “The Men’s and Ladies’ teams have a very strong chance of qualifying to the top flight – the top eight teams - and should then challenge for medals this year.

“The Boys’ and Girls’ teams are very young and this competition will be a great experience and learning curve for them. The countries to look out for include Spain and France as well as the home counties who will all be competing hard this year.”

As well as playing in the Men’s Championships, Ben Enoch will also be playing in the Boys’ Championships in Bled GC, Slovenia, from the 8-12 July. Other talented individuals to keep a close eye on will be winner of the North Wales Boys Open 2008, Llion Lloyd Kerry, and Rhys Pugh Young Winner of the GUW Men’s Order of Merit event – the Clwyd Open 2007 (See full squads in Notes to Editors).

Amy Boulden, who finished runner up in the Scottish Girls U16 at Craigielaw and third at the Tenby Open Scratch, is one of four girls selected for the Girls’ Championships held in Murcar GC, Aberdeen, also from 8-12 July. Her team mates include Natasha Gobey (Rhondda), Kelly Miller (Penrhos) and Katherine O’Connor (Tadmarton Heath).

European Amateur Men’s Team Championship, Turin (Torino), Italy 1-5 July
Nigel Edwards (Whitchurch), Ben Enoch (Truro), Rhys Enoch (Truro), Craig Evans (West Mon), Zac Gould (Vale of Glamorgan) & Ben Westgate (Trevose)
Captain: Carl Rowe (Pyle & Kenfig)

European Boys Team Championship, Bled GC, Slovenia 8-12 July
Ben Enoch (Truro), Rhodri Harston (Felixstowe Ferry), Llion Lloyd-Kerry (Royal St David’s), Matthew Moseley (Carmarthen), Chris Nugent (Fulford Heath), Rhys Pugh (Vale of Glamorgan)
Non Travelling Reserve: James Zanotti (Llanwern)
Captain: Mark Heames (Whitchurch)

European Ladies’ Team Championship, Stenungsund, Sweden 8-12 July
Stephanie Evans (Vale of Llangollen), Sahra Hassan (Vale of Glamorgan), Hannah Jenkins (Cradoc), Breanne Loucks (Wrexham), Kirsty O’Connor (Nelson) & Rhian Wyn Thomas (Vale of Glamorgan).
Non Travelling Reserves: Tara Davies (Holyhead) & Lucy Gould (Bargoed)
Captain: Sue Turner (Aberdovey)
Team manager: Anna Hubbard

European Girls’ Team Championship, Murcar GC, Aberdeen 8-12 July
Amy Boulden (Llandudno, Maesdu), Natasha Gobey (Rhondda), Kelly Miller (Penrhos) & Katherine O’Connor (Tadmarton Heath)
Non Travelling Reserves: Gemma Bradbury (Cottrell Park) & Laura Watkins (Bicester)
Captain: Jill Evans (Cradoc)
Manager: Paul Williams