The R&A confirms Walker Cup GB&I team
- Tuesday, 1 September 2009
- 1 Comments
Sam Hutsby is the highest-ranked player on the Great Britain & Ireland Walker Cup team
The R&A has confirmed the Great Britain and Ireland team to face the USA at the Walker Cup next week.
Ten players will head to the States tasked with defeating the Americans in the biennial fixture that is being hosted by Merion Golf Club in Pennsylvania.
Scotland's Wallace Booth and Gavin Dear make the team as does Niall Kearney of Ireland. Leading amateurs from England form the bulk of the team including Liphook's Sam Hutsby and 18-year-old Tommy Fleetwood.
“We have picked a strong team for what will undoubtedly be a tough match,” explained GB Captain, Colin Dalgleish.
“Each player selected has demonstrated their ability to perform at the very highest levels of the amateur game, but, crucially, they have also bonded extremely well.
“I’m convinced that we go to Merion as a tight-knit team with the combination of experience and talent necessary to give ourselves every chance of returning with the trophy.”
Dale Whitnell, Chris Paisley, Eamonn Hodgson, Matt Haines and recent English Amateur champion Luke Goddard make up the rest of the team that will do battle with the USA on September 12-13.
A change of format has been made from previous years, with four foursomes ties to be played each morning, followed by eight singles matches on Saturday afternoon, and ten (previously 8) singles on Sunday afternoon.
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Reader comments
Add your commentsSeptember 12 21:05
John Austin
On the points system Sam Hutsby maybe ranked the highest player but by far the most talented player in the GB &I side is Tommy Fleetwood his record speaks for itself beaten British Amature finalist 2008 by a lesser opponent who holed a country mile of putts ,beaten semi finalist in 2009 by the eventual winner and by a narrower margin than the the beaten finalist (Sam Hutsby)and to add insult to injury left out of the this mornings foursomes what is the criterion for selection open your eyes he is technically very very good and when the putter clicks as it did at Murcar in the Scottish this year he won by a street make no mistake this guy is the No 1 amature in the Uk and will be for as long as he stays amature therafter probably Ryder Cup player I can not think of anyone better at that stage of their career including members of the GB&I dream team of Donald, Casey, etc which cuffed the US at Nairn he is that good showing his pedigree in all conditions and over parkland and links layouts.
Why is Wallace Booth there not on individual merit surely , outside of long driving competitions or courses which permit errant drives to go unpunished he struggles, if he turns pro time will tell he will be another also ran and disapear into the oblivion of club pro golf.
All the very best GB&I dig in its there to be won.
JAA
St Andrews