Four new caps in Scotland team
for home internationasl

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY SCOTTISH GOLF UNION
Scottish Amateur Championship runner-up Steven McEwan will be one of four debutants in the Scotland team looking for victory on home soil when the 2008 Macdonald Hotels Home Internationals takes place next month at Muirfield (3 – 5 September).
McEwan is joined by Scottish Boys Champion Michael Stewart, Colville Park’s Ross Kellett and Gordon Yates, a semi-finalist at Carnoustie, as those making their first Home Internationals appearances as the Scots bid to regain the Raymond Trophy after successive victories in 2006 and 2007.
Newly crowned Scottish Amateur champion Callum Macaulay will spearhead the side alongside Scottish Stroke Play champion Wallace Booth, who both line up for a second time in the event. Blairgowrie’s Glenn Campbell will provide valuable experience for his sixth Home Internationals appearance.
Keir McNicoll, winner of both the St Andrews Links Trophy and Leven Gold Medal this season, will be hoping his liking for seaside golf will prove advantageous to a strong Scotland eleven, whilst Scott Henry – another double winner on the SGU Order of Merit circuit this year – makes his third appearance after being a member of the victorious team two years ago.
Paul O’Hara, who took Open Championship silver medallist Chris Wood to the final hole of his singles bout last year, is in the side for the third year in a row and Murrayshall’s Gavin Dear, the sixth highest Scot in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, also regains his place in the side.
Scotland national coach Ian Rae, who will use Colin Montgomerie to help prepare the Aberdeen Asset Management sponsored team ahead of the event, said:
“We’ll take a good mixture of youth and experience to Muirfield and I see no reason why this side can’t win the Home Internationals for the third time in four years. There’s certainly a winning mentality in the team, with Callum, Wallace and Keir all capturing major titles in recent months.”
“The young guys coming into the team have also performed well this season. Steven McEwan’s had a fantastic year and we know Michael Stewart is a great prospect. Ross Kellett and Gordon Yates have both been banging on the door for a while and deserve their chance.” he added.
A series of consistent performances have propelled McEwan to the top of the SGU Order of Merit, the highlight of which came with a final appearance at Carnoustie. 20-year-old Ross Kellett performed well against the Tour professionals in this summer’s Scottish Challenge, and was also a vital member of the SGU team which defeated the SPGA Pros in the Bunkered Match Play Challenge ten months ago.
Stewart, the youngest member of the team at 18-years of age, won the Scottish Boys Championship in style at Southerness back in April before earning a place in the Scotland Men’s team in this year’s European Team Championship, whilst 25-year-old former Youth cap Yates has represented Europe in the Palmer Cup and has collected points in the last five counting SGU Order of Merit events.
The full Scotland side is:
1. Wallace Booth (Comrie)
2. Glenn Campbell (Blairgowrie)
3. Gavin Dear ( Murrayshall)
4. Scott Henry (Cardross)
5. Ross Kellett (Colville Park)
6. Callum Macaulay (Tulliallan)
7. Steven McEwan (Caprington)
8. Keir McNicoll (Carnoustie)
9. Paul O’Hara (Colville Park)
10. Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck)
11. Gordon Yates (Hilton Park)

Reserves:
1. Scott Borrowman (Dollar)
2. James Byrne (Banchory)