SGU NAME PLAYERS TO RECEIVE SUPPORT
NEWS RELEASE FROM SCOTTISH GOLF UNION
Scottish
Golf Performance Manager Steve Paulding has expressed his excitement at
the crop of young talent developing within the amateur ranks, as the
players receiving support from the governing body for 2013-14 were
announced.
The
three main tiers of players support were outlined for the season ahead,
with former European Tour professionals Andrew Coltart and Dean
Robertson on hand to give their thoughts on the current progress of the
amateur golf scene in Scotland.
After
a year which produced highlights – Bearsden’s Ewen Ferguson became the
first Scot in almost 10 years to win the British Boys Championship and
Scotland reached the European Men’s Team Championship final – there were
disappointments,
notably the failure of a Scot to make the Walker Cup side for the first
time since 1949.
However,
the future appears to be bright, with teenagers Bradley Neil
(Blairgowrie), fresh from finishing joint runner-up in the Alfred
Dunhill Links Pro-Am on the European Tour, and US-based Ewan Scott (St
Andrews) promoted to Men’s level
on the back of their achievements.
Rising
stars such as Ferguson, Robert MacIntyre (Glencruitten) and Murray
Naysmith (Marriott Dalmahoy) head up a strong Boys’ group.
Indeed,
of the 29 players supported by the Scottish Golf Union for 2013-14,
only six are over the age of 20 – a reflection of the youthful talent
within the national game. For many, there is the goal of representing
Scotland at the World
Amateur Team Championships in Japan in September 2014 and Mexico in
2016.
While
each player has his own set of circumstances, the national players can
be bracketed into three new levels – Men’s, Under-21s and Boys.
The
set-up reflects a new individual approach to support for the nation’s
leading amateur golfers, with continued backing from Official Scotland
Team Partners Aberdeen Asset Management, TaylorMade-adidas Golf and
sportscotland.
Paulding,
joined at Aberdeen Asset Management’s Edinburgh offices by Coltart (SGU
Performance Committee), Robertson (University of Stirling Head Coach)
and Stephen Docherty (SGU Non-Executive Performance Director),
explained: “We are moving
away from the idea of squads where everyone expects the same support
and opportunities.
“Many
of our players have different circumstances and we’re now looking at a
more individualised approach, as well as one reward-based for good
results. It’s about supporting players based on their needs, development
and ability.
“We
have Boys’ players who are now full-time, like Ewen Ferguson, Men’s
players who are based in the US and at home, but also players who are
competitive and working, namely career amateurs, like Matthew Clark.
“’I’m
excited for the future. 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, but we have an exciting group of young
players coming through.
“The
likes of teenagers Bradley Neil and Ewan Scott, who were both capped at
Men’s European level last season, and a number of others, including the
British Boys champion Ewen Ferguson, offer us real promise for the
future.
“While
the Walker Cup was a disappointment, we had four players in the
victorious Great Britain and Ireland side at the prestigious Jacques
Leglise Trophy, which again reflected our strength at Boys’ level.”
Paulding
was also keen to stress that his team, including Ian Rae (National
Coach) and Kevin-Cademy Taylor (Scottish Golf Performance Development
Manager), continue to work hard with coaches across the country to
develop players.
He
added: “The majority of all SGU National players have their own
personal coach. We’re working alongside them all to develop and further
improve Scotland’s leading amateur golfers.”
SGU Men’s Players 2013-14
(Club & Age in brackets; * denotes USA-based)
Scott Borrowman (Dollar, 26)
Matthew Clark (Kilmacolm, 31)
Alexander Culverwell (Dunbar, 26)
Adam Dunton (McDonald, 23)
Grant Forrest (Craigielaw, 20) *
Scott Gibson (Southerness, 20)
Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie, 20)
Bradley Neil (Blairgowrie, 17)
James Ross (Royal Burgess, 23) *
Ewan Scott (St Andrews, 18) *
Daniel Young (Craigie Hill, 22)
SGU Under-21 Players 2013-14
Lawrence Allan (Alva, 18) *
Calum Hill (Tantallon, 18) *
Craig Howie (Peebles, 19)
Connor Syme (Dumfries & County, 18)
Jamie Savage (Cawder, 19)
Euan Walker (Kilmarnock Barassie, 18) *
SGU Boys’ Players 2013-14
George Burns (Williamwood, 16)
Fraser Davren (Williamwood, 17)
Stuart Easton (Irvine, 17)
Ewen Ferguson (Bearsden, 17)
Adam Fisher (Newmachar, 16)
Calum Fyfe (Cawder, 16)
Ben Kinsley (St Andrews, 17)
Cameron Kirkwood (Bearsden, 17)
Robert MacIntyre (Glencruitten, 17)
Matthew McCulloch (Portpatrick, 15)
Niall McMullen (Lundin, 15)
Murray Naysmith (Marriott Dalmahoy, 16)
James
White (Lundin, 25), Graeme Robertson (Glenbervie, 25) and Scott
Crichton (Aberdour, 25) all currently weighing up their options.
Ed Hodge
PR & Media Executive
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Labels: SGU
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