Nine Scots warm up in South Africa - thanks to Rupert!

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE SCOTTISH GOLF UNION
Nine of Scotland’s leading amateur golfers arrive in South Africa today to complete their winter training programme, boosted by the support of the man behind the Dunhill Links Championship, Johann Rupert.
The South African business tycoon has sponsored the SGU’s Men’s Elite Squad training camp in his home country, providing golf, accommodation and facilities to the Scotland players over the next ten days. The Scots will use three different world-class courses during the trip as the final part of their preparation for the season ahead under the warmth of the South African sunshine.
The trip will include a two-day Test Match against South Africa at Leopard Creek, a three-team tournament against the South African Development and Junior sides at Houghton Golf Club and a match at Pearl Valley – scene of Richie Ramsay’s recent win in the South African Open - against a combined Provincial team.
A mixture of youth and experience has been selected for the squad, with four other players heading for Spain to play in the European Nations Cup next week. Former Allied Surveyors Scottish Amateur Champion Glenn Campbell is included in the squad alongside the youngest member of the team, Jack McDonald, the reigning firstpointusa.com Scottish Boys Stroke Play Champion.
Kirkhill’s Paul Shields, a recent Academy graduate to the Men’s Elite Squad makes the trip, whilst another youngster, 18-year-old Scott Gibson earns his first call up to the senior team. Fraserburgh’s Kris Nicol and Hilton Park’s Gordon Yates, fresh from reaching the knock-out stages of the Spanish Amateur Championship, are included alongside former SGU Order of Merit winner Steven McEwan, 2008 Scottish boys stroke play champion Mark Bookless and St Andrews’ Greg Paterson.
Rupert, who is the current chairman of the South African PGA Tour, said:
“I am delighted to support the Scotland Men’s Elite Squad and bring them over to South Africa to experience our wonderful facilities and beautiful golf courses. I am very proud to be associated with the Home of Golf through the Dunhill Links Championship and wanted to give something back to the development of talented young golfers in Scotland.”
“We will also be offering our support to the young South African golfers by way of competition against some of Scotland’s best, which will assist with their development. There should be some great matches in prospect.”
Douglas Connon, SGU Chairman, added:
“This is an exceptional gesture from Johann Rupert and we are very grateful for his generous support. This new partnership allows us to further expand our winter training programmes for our elite squads, providing opportunities for our players to experience world class facilities.”
The Scotland squad is also sponsored by Aberdeen Asset Management and TaylorMade adidasGolf.
Scotland Squad for Player Development Camp in South Africa:
1. Mark Bookless (Sandyhills)
2. Glenn Campbell (Blairgowrie)
3. Scott Gibson (Southerness)
4. Jack Macdonald (Kilmarnock Barassie)
5. Steven McEwan (Caprington)
6. Kris Nicol (Fraserburgh)
7. Greg Paterson (New Club, St Andrews)
8. Paul Shields (Kirkhill)
9. Gordon Yates (Hilton Park)

Squad Itinerary:
March 12-13
Practice at Vodacom World of Golf in Johannesburg
March 14-15
Triangular Match: Scotland v South Africa Junior Team v South Africa Development Team, Houghton GC
March 16
Practice, Leopard Creek Golf Club
March 17-18
Test Match: South Africa v Scotland, Leopard Creek Golf Club
March 19
Fly to Cape Town
March 20
Practice at the River Club
March 21
Provincial Match: Combined Provincial Select v Scotland, Pearl Valley GC
Depart