Barry Hume earns Scotland call-up

Hume in action at the 2008 Open.

• Barry Hume to represent Scotland for first time in 14 years
• Has been called up for next week’s Home Internationals
• “To be considered to play with those boys is pleasing,” said Hume

Barry Hume will be turning out for Scotland for the first time in 14 years after receiving a call-up for next week’s Home Internationals at Royal Portrush.

The 33-year-old, who was out of amateur golf for ten years before returning in 2013, reached the quarter-finals of the Scottish Amateur Championship at Muirfield last week and has also posted five other top 20 finishes this season to earn his return for the annual home nation matches from August 12-14.

“I feel like I’ve played at a pretty consistent level last season and this season,” said Barry Hume, who was part of the winning Scotland side at the Home Internationals in 2000. “I feel as though I’ve built my way up through local golf, county golf and up to the national level. I felt if I showed that kind of formula, as I did when I was younger, it would lead to this sort of thing.

“I don’t want this to be just a one off for me” – Barry Hume

“From what I’ve seen, quite a number of the younger lads have really kicked on in the last 12 months, so to be considered to play with those boys is pleasing. I don’t want this to be just a one off for me.

“The Home Internationals at Royal Portrush was certainly something I highlighted to try and achieve, as it’s a course I’ve always wanted to play. I would rate our chances as strong next week.”

CONTINUES BELOW…

Credit: Kenny Smith.

Receiving his first Men’s call-up is Scottish Amateur champion Robert MacIntyre, who has been rewarded for his fantastic win at Muirfield. The 19-year-old, who saw off Craigie Hill’s Daniel Young at Muirfield on Saturday, became the first left-handed player to win the Scottish Amateur in the tournament’s history and he’ll be hoping to cap off an excellent few weeks by guiding the team to their first Home Internationals crown since victory on home soil at Gailes Links in 2012.

European Amateur Team winners Grant Forrest and Ewen Ferguson are unable to compete due to qualifying for the forthcoming US Amateur Championship, but the four other members of that squad, Graeme Robertson, Jack McDonald, Greig Marchbank and Connor Syme, will all be teeing it up.

“We’ll look to try and build on our win at the European Amateur Team Championship” – Ian Rae

Reigning South African Amateur winner Young, former Scottish Boys champion Craig Howie and Kirkhill’s Craig Ross are also in the line-up.

Kilmacolm’s Matt Clark adds his experience with a fourth straight Home Internationals appearance, with Ryan Campbell from Falkirk joining MacIntyre and Howie as new caps at this level.

National coach Ian Rae said: “It’s an experienced team with some new faces who deserve their chance. We’ll look to try and build on our win at the European Amateur Team Championship and always enjoy the annual competition that the Home Internationals provide.”

Barry Hume :: Scotland call-up

What do you think of Barry Hume’s call-up to the Scotland squad? Is it refreshing to see a more experienced player in the line-up? Leave your thoughts in the ‘Comments’ section below.