NEW-LOOK LINE-UP FOR SOUTHERNDOWN, SOUTH WALES

ROBB GAINS FIRST CAP IN SCOTLAND

TEAM FOR HOME INTERNATIONALS

Fairstone Scottish Amateur champion Chris Robb has been selected in a new-look Scotland side for next week’s Men’s Home Internationals, the Meldrum House player one of five new faces bound for Wales. 

The 23-year-old (pictured by Cal Carson Golf Agency) from Banchory claimed a third straight domestic success at Downfield last weekend, winning the SGU’s flagship event with a 4 and 3 success over Glenbervie’s Graeme Robertson.

Robb’s red hot form has now earned him a debut in Scotland’s 11-man side seeking to repeat their 2012 triumph in the Home Internationals at Southerndown Golf Club from August 13 to 15. 

“I was hoping to have done enough having won the Scottish Amateur, and I’m now looking forward to representing Scotland at Men’s level after previously playing at Boys’ level in the Homes and Europeans,” said Robb, who finished his US college career at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga earlier this year.

“I’ve had a good few tournaments. I played well finishing up in the US and from then on I’ve just kept it going. As far as Scottish golf is concerned, I’ve not been fantastic since the junior days, I suppose.

“I won the North-east District 72-hole amateur championship two years ago, but other than that, not much until now, so it’s been great to win the East of Scotland Championship, the Cameron Corbett Vase and then the Scottish Amateur.” 

With Blairgowrie’s Bradley Neil, the Amateur champion, and Craigielaw’s Grant Forrest the St Andrews Links Trophy winner, contesting next week’s US Amateur Championship in Atlanta thanks to their places inside the top 50 of the World Amateur Golf Ranking, the Scotland side is much changed from 12 months ago at Ganton.

Robb is joined in the Scotland side by four other new faces at Men’s Home International level, namely Irish Open Stroke Play champion Jamie Savage (Cawder), last year’s Scottish Amateur semi-finalist Craig Ross (Kirkhill), ex-boys' cap Greig Marchbank (Thornhill) and Sutherland Chalice victor Adam Dunton (McDonald Ellon).

Southerness member Scott Gibson returns to the line-up for the first time since 2011, while a quintet of experienced players are looking forward to further Home Internationals competition.

Palmer Cup-winning duo James Ross (Royal Burgess) and Kilmarnock Barassie’s Jack McDonald are joined by Scottish Amateur runner-up Robertson, making his fourth appearance in the event, Daniel Young of Craigie Hill and Kilmacolm’s Matthew Clark.

Selection criteria states that the top five Scottish players from the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR), as well as the top two players on the SGU Men’s Order of Merit, automatically earn places on the team. The cut off date for automatic selection was 19 July. 

With Neil and Forrest unavailable, only three leading players earned automatic selection off the WAGR – Savage, James Ross and McDonald – with second-placed Dunton the only Order of Merit automatic selection, given it is led by Neil. This resulted in seven selectors’ picks to complete the team.

SCOTLAND TEAM Matthew Clark (Kilmacolm) 32

Adam Dunton (McDonald Ellon) 24

Scott Gibson (Southerness) 21

Greig Marchbank (Thornhill) 20

Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie) 21

Chris Robb (Meldrum House) 23

Craig Ross (Kirkhill) 21

James Ross (Royal Burgess) 24

Graeme Robertson (Glenbervie) 26

Jamie Savage (Cawder) 20

Daniel Young (Craigie Hill) 22