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Tuesday, June 25, 2013

EUROPEAN MENS TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP - McDonald spearheads Scots challenge in Denmark

Jack McDonald
Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie) is one of the six man team selected to reporesent Scotland in the 2013 European Men's Team Championship in Denmark next month.
 
SGU Press release
 
McDonald Confident for Men’s European Team Challenge in Denmark
 
Fresh from winning his first 72-hole stroke play event on the Scottish Golf Union Order of Merit, Jack McDonald is relishing Scotland’s bid for success at the European Men’s Team Championship in Denmark next month.
 
The Kilmarnock Barassie player, the SGU Men’s Performance Squad member who held his nerve to birdie the final hole and win the Tennant Cup by a stroke on Sunday, has been named in Scotland’s six-man team for the challenge at Silkeborg in Denmark from 9 – 13 July.
 
McDonald, the leader of the SGU Men’s Order of Merit and last year’s Scottish Amateur Golfer of the Year, is joined by Great Britain & Ireland cap Graeme Robertson (Glenbervie) and teenager Ewan Scott (St Andrews) in the team.
 
Scott, a product of the Scottish Golf Academy, is a member of the SGU Boys’ Performance Squad but has impressed playing a Men’s calendar this year before beginning college in America in August.
 
Dollar’s Scott Borrowman, last year’s winner of the national Order of Merit, reigning Scottish Amateur champion Grant Forrest and in-form James Ross of Royal Burgess complete the line-up.
 
McDonald, who played for Scotland three times at European Boys’ team level, said: “I’m looking forward to it. I think we have a very good team and we’re all playing well, as everyone has had strong finishes this season.
 
“The first task in Denmark is to qualify for the top flight and then I would fancy our chances in the matchplay. I don’t see why we can’t do well.”
 
Sixteen teams will gather at Silkeborg, a long par-72 tree-lined course in the heart of Jutland, Denmark. It is regarded as one of the finest courses in Denmark and is the home club of Danish golfing hero Thomas Bjorn.
 
All four home unions will bid for success at Silkeborg, along with the host nation and the likes of Spain, France, Sweden and Germany. Scotland last won the event in 2009, when they memorably added the European crown to the world team title they won in 2008.
 
Steve Paulding, Scottish Golf Performance Manager, added: “I’m really encouraged by the number of young players stepping up to the mark this year, especially the SGU Boys’ Squad players impressing at Men’s level.
 
“At the same time, there are a number of more senior members of our Men’s Squad who, having not made this team, will need to look to have stronger performances to make our Home Internationals team.”
 
Meanwhile, the same six players will also compete in the European Men’s Amateur Championship in August – along with Daniel Young (Craigie Hill) and the Scottish Boys champion, Bradley Neil of Blairgowrie.
 
The event takes place from 7 – 10 August at Real Club de Golf el Prat in Spain.
 
Scotland Team for European Men’s Team Championship (numbers represent age):
 
•             Scott Borrowman (Dollar) 26
•             Grant Forrest (Craigielaw) 20
•             Jack McDonald  (Kilmarnock (Barassie)) 20
•             Graeme Robertson (Glenbervie) 25
•             James Ross (Royal Burgess) 23
•             Ewan Scott (St Andrews) 18

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