Major changes for SGU national squads

Progression of last year’s elite players shakes up Scotland teams

Retained: Paul Shields has kept his place in the initial new-look Scotland Men’s squad for 2011-12

Scottish Golf Performance Manager Steve Paulding has revealed he is relishing the prospect of working with the country’s latest wave of talent as the Scottish Golf Union announced a much-changed national squad for 2011-12.

As a result of many of Scotland’s established elite amateurs progressing to the professional ranks, Paulding was faced with many tough decisions to form the squads for the next 12 months and, although still not completely finalised, initial Men’s and Boys’ groups have been put in place in preparation for next year.

“The challenge of having a number of your top players move on has to be encountered,” said Paulding. “It adds a different dimension to consistently progressing and developing talent to reach the highest level.”

Paulding, who has extensive experience in elite athlete development in a multitude of sports, stressed that though fresh-faced squad heading off for winter training in Dubai, it was a group capable of achieving high-quality results.

“The players have achieved their places in the squad through hard work, determination and talent,” said the SGU’s performance director. “We have players very able to compete at the highest level, who can commit to the full programme, representing Scotland on the European and world stage.

“We also have younger up-and-coming players who show the potential to reach that stage within the next few years,” he added. “I’m excited by the year ahead.”

There changing of the guard within the national ranks has been required as a result of Walker Cup hero James Byrne, Scottish Amateur champion David Law and Fraserburgh pair Jordan Findlay and Kris Nicol all turning professional in recent weeks.

Former Scottish Amateur champion Michael Stewart, though currently still an amateur, is also unavailable for selection as he has confirmed he will also graduate to the paid ranks after taking advantage of his spot in the European Tour’s South African Open (a position he earned by virtue of victory in the South African Amateur Championship while on winter training with the SGU Men’s squad).

Order of Merit winner James White, Peterhead’s Philip McLean and Ross Kellett of Colville Park were fixtures of last year’s squad, though the trio have been omitted this time around pending the outcome of their efforts to gain a European Tour card. White, Kellett and McLean are currently engaged in the arduous process of Tour School, with all three having successfully emerged from First Stage Qualifying.

Last year’s Amateur Championship semi-finalist Greg Paterson, meanwhile, is retaining his amateur status after a failing at First Stage. However, the Fifer – who was a key part of the Men’s squad in 2011 – has made the decision to step back from the SGU programme as he reassesses his dedication to the sport in light of work commitments.

Paul Shields, Conor O’Neil, Brian Soutar and Scott Gibson – all members of last year’s Men’s squad – retain their places, while further talented players come into a new-look group. Graeme Robertson, who pushed James White all the way in the 2011 Order of Merit race, earns a deserved spot while Grant Forrest is promoted from the Boys’ squad. Daniel Kay, Scott Crichton and Fraser McKenna complete the Men’s line-up.

The ever-improving Shields of Kirkhill – runner-up to Stewart in the South African Amateur – Pollok’s O’Neil, Soutar (Leven GS) and Southerness’ Gibson, now based at East Tennessee State in America, are back in the Men’s group by virtue of their 2011 performances.

Glenbervie’s Robertson, the European Universities Men’s’ champion, Kay of Dunbar – runner-up to Law at the Scottish Amateur – Aberdour’s Crichton and McKenna (Balmore) make up the pool, along with Craigielaw’s Forrest, now also based overseas in the USA at San Diego.

The promising Boys’ pool features the rising stars of Scottish golf. Reigning Order of Merit winner Greig Marchbank, Anthony Blaney, Bradley Neil, Jamie Savage and Ewan Scott retain their squad spots from 2011. Scottish Boys champion David Wilson, Calum Hill, Ben Kinsley and Euan Walker all come into the Boys’ group.

Of the Boys, Marchbank (Dumfries & County), Neil of Blairgowrie, Lothians star Blaney and Scott (St Andrews) earn further plaudits, after all four were selected for warm weather winter training in Abu Dhabi later this month. Hill (Tantallon), a semi-finalist in the Scottish Boys, St Andrews’ Kinsley, the Scottish Boys Under-16 Open Stroke Play champion, and the consistent Savage of Cawder also feature. Walker (Kilmarnock Barassie) and Wilson (Troon Welbeck) complete the Boys’ group.

National Men’s Squad 2011 – 2012

Scott Crichton (Aberdour)

Grant Forrest (Overseas)

Scott Gibson (Overseas)

Daniel Kay (Dunbar)

Fraser McKenna (Balmore)

Conor O’Neil (Pollok)

Graeme Robertson (Glenbervie)

Paul Shields (Kirkhill)

Brian Soutar (Leven GS)

National Boys Squad 2011 – 2012

Anthony Blaney (Liberton)

Calum Hill (Tantallon)

Ben Kinsley (St Andrews)

Greig Marchbank (Dumfries & County)

Bradley Neil (Blairgowrie)

Jamie Savage (Cawder)

Ewan Scott (St Andrews)

Euan Walker (Kilmarnock Barassie)

David Wilson (Troon Welbeck)

Bryce Ritchie is the Editor of bunkered and, in addition to leading on content and strategy, oversees all aspects of the brand. The first full-time journalist employed by bunkered, he joined the company in 2001 and has been editor since 2009. A member of Balfron Golfing Society, he currently plays off nine and once got a lesson from Justin Thomas’ dad.

Editor of bunkered