Irish quintet in Walker Cup squad

GARY WOLSTENHOLME, the only Britain and Ireland amateur to feature on four winning Walker Cup teams, has been named in a provisional 29-strong squad for next August’s defence of the trophy in Chicago.

Aside from 44-year-old Wolstenholme, others included who played in last year’s victory at Ganton are reigning British champion Stuart Wilson, match-winner Nigel Edwards, Middlesbrough’s Michael Skelton and Portmarnock’s Noel Fox.

The squad also contains five players under the age of 18 - Limerick’s Cian McNamara, Zac Gould of Wales, English pair Matthew Baldwin and Oliver Fisher and Scotland’s Paul O’Hara.

Ballyclare’s Gareth Maybin, North West’s Brian McElhinney and Sligo’s Sean McTernan are also included.

Chairman of selectors Peter McEvoy said: “We are increasingly aware of the quality of golf being played by many 17 and 18-year-olds and consequently we have picked five young men who will be around that age next year.

“These five juniors have shown they can compete at senior level. However, we are also aware there are other young players, just as highly ranked, who are not in the squad and we will be keeping a close eye on these players as well as our squad members.

“If they play well enough we will pick them, whatever their age.”

McEvoy was also keen to point out that players from outside the squad can still force their way into the team to face the United States.

He added: “The squad represents the 29 players we feel are most likely to be competing for Walker Cup team places next year.

“However situations change, as does form, and I would not be the least surprised if players from outside the squad challenge for or secure spots in the team.”

Provisional Walker Cup squad: M Baldwin (Hesketh), L Corfield (Burnham and Berrow), R Davies (Royal Porthcawl), R Dinwiddie (Barnard Castle), N Edwards (Whitchurch), O Fisher (West Essex), Noel Fox (Portmarnock), Z Gould (Vale of Glamorgan), J Heath (Coombe Wood), G Lockerbie (Penrith), Gareth Maybin (Ballyclare), A McArthur (Windyhill), Brian McElhinney (North West), J McLeary (Levin), Cian McNamara (Limerick), Sean McTernan (Co Sligo), G Murray (Earlsferry Thistle), P O’Hara (Colville Park), S Osborne (Wentworth), R Ramsay (Royal Aberdeen), M Richardson (The Buckinghamshire), L Saltman (Craigielaw), M Skelton (Middlesbrough), C Smith (St Mellons), P Waring (Bromborough), J Williams (Pontypridd), S Wilson (Forfar), G Wolstenholme (Kilworth Springs), G Wright (West Linton).