'A' SQUAD SIX SEEK TO RECAPTURE COSTA BALLENA TITLE
 Six
members of the EGU’s newly-assembled ‘A’
squad for 2008 will comprise the England team that will aim
to recapture the annual Costa Ballena Quadrangular Tournament
in Spain at the end of January.
The talented half dozen - Luke Goddard (Hendon), Matt Haines
(Rochester & Cobham), Billy Hemstock (Teignmouth), Adam
Hodkinson (Hallowes), Miles Mackman (Broome Manor) and Adam
Wainwright (Gainsborough) - will take on similar teams from
Germany, Finland and hosts Spain at Costa Ballena on 23rd
- 25th January.
A year ago, England were on course for a third successive
victory having beaten the Germans and the Finns. But they
were denied by Spain on the final day and had to settle for
the runners-up spot behind the hosts.
Goddard, 19, from Middlesex, is a former boy cap who finished
runner-up in last year’s Berkhamsted Trophy, tied third
in the Lagonda Trophy, was equal first in the South East Qualifying
and won the individual title at Chiberta Grand Prix in France
as well contributing to the winning Nations Cup team in the
same event.
In 2007, Haines, 18, completed victories in the Peter McEvoy
Trophy and the English Boys Under 18 Championship for the
Carris Trophy and was a member of the victorious Boys Home
Internationals squad. He also represented England in the European
Boys Team Championships in Denmark, GB&I in the Jacques
Leglise Trophy at Notts and was a member of the winning England
team in the Honda International Junior Championship in Japan.
Hemstock, 23, is the current Devon Champion, who has produced
solid performances over the past season. He was tied third
in the South West Qualifying, joint fourth in the Midland
Open Amateur, fifth in the St Mellion International and tied
sixth in the West of England Stroke Play.
Hodkinson, 19, a former Under 16 International, was a member
of the Yorkshire team that retained the County Championship
last year. He was capped for the Boys Home Internationals
in 2006 and last year finished runner-up in the Yorkshire
Championship and tied third in the Berkshire Trophy.
Wiltshire-based Mackman, 21 (pictured -photo courtesy of
Tom Ward), finished runner-up in the 2006 Faldo Commemoration
Jug, setting a course record 61 on the way, and last year
he won the Lagonda Trophy, was tied fifth in the Chiberta
Grand Prix and represented Wiltshire in the County Championship
finals.
Wainwright, 21, from Lincolnshire, reached the last 16 of
last year’s English Amateur Championship and finished
tied third in the Lagonda Trophy and tied fourth in the Selborne
Salver.
As in previous years, the competition will be played on a
round robin basis, each match comprising three foursomes and
six singles.
England Team:
Luke Goddard (Hendon)
Matt Haines (Rochester & Cobham)
Bill Hemstock (Teignmouth)
Adam Hodkinson (Hallowes)
Miles Mackman (Broome Manor)
Adam Wainwright (Gainsborough)
Gary Smith (Team Captain and Coach)
Bob Meston (Team Manager)
|
