HEATH JOINS ELITE SQUAD
The English Golf Union has promoted James Heath (Coombe Wood
GC) to the Elite Squad.
Heath, 21, moves up to replace Ross Fisher (Wentworth GC)
who has decided to join the professional game following some
solid performances during the first half of 2004.
James won the Lytham Trophy earlier in the year with a record
score of 266, 18 under par, finished 2nd in the Berkshire
trophy and led the qualifying for the British Amateur Championship
at St. Andrews. He also represented England in the match against
France at Royal St.Georges, European Youths Team Championship
in Ireland and played for Europe against Asia Pacific in the
Bonallack Trophy in Italy.
Commenting on his inclusion Heath said “It is a great
privilege to be included in the EGU’s Elite Squad, I
am looking forward to taking advantage of the opportunities
it will present me to work with some excellent coaches who
will help me develop my game.”
National Coach, Keith Williams is delighted to have James
on the Elite Squad and said, “He is a class player who
has shown he has all the qualities to get to the top. It can
only strengthen the Elite Squad and add to the achievement
of our targets under the World Class Performance Programme.”
Fisher’s decision to join the professional game comes
following an excellent winters training and some solid early
season form, which was slightly hindered by a wrist injury
at the Lytham Trophy. Ross retained the Sunningdale Foursomes
in March, finished 2nd in the Sherry Cup, 3rd in the German
Amateur, 2nd in the Lytham Trophy, tied 5th in the Berkshire
Trophy and qualified in 6th place for the Amateur championship
at St. Andrews. He is also the current Finnish Amateur Champion
and won the Berkshire Trophy in 2003.
In making the decision to turn professional Ross explained
“The time is right for me to turn pro at the moment,
I have been playing well and my game is in good shape. Being
part of the Elite Squad set up has helped me enormously, I
would like to thank all the coaches and support staff at the
EGU for all their help and advice.”
Performance Director Nigel Furniss commented “Whilst
we are sorry to lose Ross from the Elite Squad set up we hope
he will move on to realise his huge potential and develop
into a World Class golfer. I am excited about the inclusion
of James who is a very dynamic player and has shown some great
form so far this season, he will be a great asset to the Elite
Squad.”
The Elite Squad is part of the English Golf Union’s
World Class Performance Programme supported by funding through
the Sport England Lottery Fund.
The long-term aim of the programme is to systematically produce
a regular stream of English players with the ability to perform
successfully on the world stage.
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