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Credit: Kenny Smith.

Walker Cup-1
  • Ewen Ferguson hails ‘fantastic’ support after Walker Cup inclusion
  • Bus load of Bearsden GC members will make their way to Lytham
  • The Scot is eyeing a partnership with compatriot Grant Forrest
EWEN FERGUSON | THE WALKER CUP

Scottish Walker Cup star Ewen Ferguson says the support he has received from friends, family and fellow members at Bearsden Golf Club has been ‘fantastic’ throughout the whole process.

Ferguson was initially listed as the first reserve for the Great Britain and Ireland side that will take on USA at Royal Lytham & St Annes this weekend, but he made it into the squad after England’s Sam Horsfield withdrew for personal reasons.

“I think the club is shutting down on the Sunday” – Ewen Ferguson

“As soon as people at the club discovered I was in they immediately arranged a bus to leave the club on Sunday morning and come back up on Sunday night,” said Ferguson. “I think the club is shutting down on the Sunday and they’re all coming to watch me, which is really cool.”

Ferguson is one of three Scots in the GB&I side, along with Grant Forrest and Jack McDonald, and he knows they face a tough task to win back the trophy they lost two years ago in a crushing defeat at National Golf Links of America.

“The American team is full of good players,” added Ferguson. “It includes the current US Amateur champion, so they’re going to be hard to beat. We’re a good team, too, and it’s matchplay, so it’s down to how you perform on the day.”

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Ferguson is eyeing a partnership with fellow Scot Grant Forrest.Ferguson is eyeing a partnership with fellow Scot Grant Forrest.

Having already experienced success this year with team-mate Grant Forrest on the international stage, Ferguson believes the duo are a ready-made partnership for the foursomes should captain Nigel Edwards pair them together.

“Me and Grant get on really well. We’re both quite aggressive players and we both seem to have the same ideas as each other. I think that helps and we just have fun at the same time. I think we’re a really good pairing, so if I had a first choice, it would definitely be Grant.

“I’m the kind of person that gets on with everyone, though. I get on really well with Cormac Sharvin, Gary Hurley and those guys. I could partner anyone because we all get on so well anyway.”

When it comes to the course, Ferguson has experience there, too. Royal Lytham and St Annes was a regular haunt for him and his dad during his younger days as his dad had business customers who were members at the club and regularly invited them to play. He also feels the whole side’s experience playing the course in the Lytham Trophy each year may give them a slight advantage.

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Royal Lytham and St Annes Golf Club

“It’s an amazing course. When I was younger I used to go down and visit there. I started playing off the front tees and moved back as I got older, so it’s got harder for me every time. I’ve obviously played in a couple of Lytham Trophy events and we’ve had Walker Cup training squad sessions there, too.

“It’s one of those courses where you just can’t switch off. You need to be on the ball all the time and be able to hit the right shots at the right time. Sometimes the flag isn’t the target.

“With pretty much all of the team having played there before, it definitely gives us an advantage, just as they have an advantage when the match is held over there. But you can’t really think about that stuff while you’re playing.”

And Ferguson’s confidence levels were given a further boost ahead of this week’s match when he was crowned the Scottish Amateur Golfer of the Year, awarded to the highest-ranked Scottish golfer in the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR).

“It’s great to think that I will always be on that list” – Ewen Ferguson

“I’m absolutely delighted to win Scottish Amateur Golfer of the Year,” said Ferguson, who is coached by Gregor Monks and supported by the national coaching structure. “I remember when Michael Stewart won it in 2011 and I was thinking it must be so cool to win the award. Some very good names have won it before and it’s great to think that I will always be on that list. To be the top amateur in Scotland has always been a goal and it’s brilliant to fulfil it.”

Ewen Ferguson :: Walker Cup star?

Can Ewen Ferguson make a vital contribution to the GB&I team at this week’s Walker Cup? Leave your thoughts in the ‘Comments’ section below.

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