NEWS RELEASE FROM SCOTTISH GOLF UNION

SGU Squad Seek Success in South Africa

 

Ewen Ferguson, the British boys' champion, hopes to continue his development as part of a new-look Scotland squad bound for South Africa tomorrow for the competitive stage of winter performance training. 

Thanks to the continued support of national team sponsor Aberdeen Asset Management, South African businessman Johann Rupert and the Alfred Dunhill Links Foundation, coupled with funding from sportscotland, 10 players will journey to South Africa, including six teenagers. 

The programme will include three major events on the South African circuit, a Test Match against the host nation and a training camp to allow players to work on short game, swing and general fitness with support staff.
 Compared to previous years, the programme is shorter and some players will return early.

Bearsden’s Ferguson, who became the first Scot in almost 10 years to land the British boys' crown last year, is joined by his fellow Great Britain and Ireland boys caps Bradley Neil of Blairgowrie, Connor Syme (Dumfries and County) and Glencruitten’s Robert MacIntyre on the trip.

Teenage duo Jamie Savage (Cawder) and Ben Kinsley (St Andrews) also make up the young group, with Daniel Young (Craigie Hill) and Scott Gibson (Southerness) joining them. 

The experienced pair of Graeme Robertson from Glenbervie, who has opted to stay amateur this season, and Dollar’s Scott Borrowman complete the squad.

Ferguson, who hopes to build on his work with the SGU in Dubai and Abu Dhabi late last year, said: “I had a good winter. I’ve just been trying to bulk up a little, get stronger, as I’m going to play more men’s events this year. Since last year, I’ve got so much hunger to win more and I think I can compete.

“It was amazing going away with the men’s team to Abu Dhabi and Dubai. It gave you a good insight into what it’s actually like on the professional circuits, with all the early starts, gym work, stretching and yoga, practice and golf. 

"There was a lot of hard work, but I felt lucky to be there. I hope I can continue to progress in South Africa.”

The winter training programme in South Africa follows the great success of past trips, with Scots regularly returning with silverware. In 2011, Michael Stewart defeated Paul Shields in the all-Scottish final of the South African international amateur championship, emulating past victors like Ernie Els and Retief Goosen, while David Law captured the Northern amateur championship crown after losing out in a play-off for the South African amateur stroke play title.

A year later, Fifer Brian Soutar kept the South African amateur title in Scottish hands, while Paul Shields was joint-winner of the Northern Amateur. Twelve months ago, St Andrews’ Ewan Scott caught the eye and reached the semi-finals of the South African amateur.

This year, the players begin their competitive action at the North Gauteng Open on January 24, before the South African Stroke Play commences on February 4.
 A Test Match between the hosts and the visiting nation takes place on February 18-19, before the South African Amateur follows three days later.

Steve Paulding, Scottish Golf Performance Manager, added: “Returning to South Africa provides valuable experience for our players, especially the younger ones, on and off the course. It also gives them competitive opportunities at this time of year ahead of the new domestic season.

“A number of players in last year’s Men’s Squad didn’t reach the standards we had hoped in leading individual events at British and European level, and we hope to see an improvement in 2014.

“We have an exciting group of young players coming through and they, like our more experienced players, will be looking to challenge for a place in our Eisenhower Trophy team in Japan in September.”

South Africa competition calendar:

January 24-26: North Gauteng Open (Silver Lakes).
February 4-7: South African Stroke Play Championship (Benoni).

February 18-19: South Africa v Scotland Test Match, Leopard Creek)

February 22-28: Sanlam South African Amateur Championship (Hermanus).

 

SGU Squad for South Africa 
Scott Borrowman (Dollar) 26

Ewen Ferguson (Bearsden) 17

Scott Gibson (Southerness) 21

Ben Kinsley (St Andrews) 17

Robert MacIntyre (Glencruitten) 17

Bradley Neil (Blairgowrie) 18

Graeme Robertson (Glenbervie) 25

Jamie Savage (Cawder) 19

Connor Syme (Dumfries and Co) 18

Daniel Young (Craigie Hill) 22

 *All 10 players to compete in North Gauteng Golf Union Open and South African Stroke Play Championship.

*Borrowman and MacIntyre will not play in the Test Match or South African Amateur due to work and school commitments respectively. 
*Neil and Robertson will not compete in South African Amateur due to playing commitments in early March.